News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1892-05-19
TERMS $1.5O.

on the dry clothes she gave him. She
thought no more of him until supper
was ready; then he could not be
found. 1t was pitch dark and rain.
ing heavily; she called, but he did
not come, nor did he return during
the night.
Morning added heavier anxiety;
her husbands train did not pass as
usual, and when some hours later, he
and Hal walked up to the cottage.
the story they told put Bennie out OF
his head.
"Seven miles away, at the en-
trance of the gorge through which
the railroad ran, was "a bridge about
which the engineer felt uneasy, but
he had not thought specially about
it this trip, not knowing of the noun
tain rains above heavy enough TO
cause a freshet. His train being late
he was making time before reaching
tho bridga. a.-,l--ssfa--ae=aa' 'l'sss sFrlfs-s. - ~
waving red aud white flag on the
track. He thought OF the bridge,
turned the breakes, and stopped the
train Just in sight of the chasm in
which, among the swollen waters far
below, lay It's fallen timbers.
The passengers crowded out,
some hurrying gack to find the per-
son who had saved the train; the en-
gineer followed when he could, but
found the unknown friend had van
ished, leaving his flag by the track.
Some gentlemen had taken it and
were seeking its owner, so he came
home with Hal, knowing his wife
would be alarmed.
"Just then Bennie crept in, looking
white and miserable, but on seeing
his father and brother his face light
ed up and he approached them with
demonstrations of Joy. As he passed
up to Hal, the latter exclaimed:
why Bennie, how dirty you are
wet toop Gas the child drew
back, his step-mother explained that
he had been out all night, scolding
him loudly for such conduct, while he
listened trembling.
And what has he done with his
blouse? she cried, pulling open his
jacket to show the thin undershirt
beneath. She declared there never
was so troublesome a child, both she
and his father threatning to whip
him if he did not find the blouse. All
at once he raised his head, and dart
ed out of the cottage; reappearing
utmost instantly with the blouse he
laid at his fathers feet.
ERE n word could be spoken the
conductor and two gentlemen ap-
peared in the doorway, the cOnduc-
TOR eXclaiming: is it possible that
child saved the train? is that his
bIouse?' lie then explained that the
,vhite-sIeeved blouse, tied to a stick
LnJ bepu what was waved: that ht
nd uicIled it up, and some BOYS hat
said it belonged to one of the engi
r,eer's sons; that these gentlemen ha,
accompanied him TO inquire into TIA
matter. and that as they reached tn
! house the little boy had darted ouI
/ snatched the blouse, and rushed
/ again. 81,
.sTittle bv little they pieced u
/ story out. The stopmOthpr told DO
/ Beuuie had been absent all tLa prey
/ Gus day; had returned at nightfa
land tried t1 mako h~r u1darsrrn
and 60 with him, and failing had dn
appeared, not returning tIii now; II
must have wandered to the Drldge-
seven miles away-and finding IL gon
had come home to tell her ialiiile
had gone for the third time along u,
mountain side in the ram ana uarh I,
ness, crossed the river on the DrlGge
fallen timbers, and taking off IN
blouse had waved it to stop the trlll
disappearing when he hau "o'OH
plisheG his design.
Poor little herol he couid no
understand the remorseful tenderness
lavished on him. He only knew tha
he lay, worn out, where he had neNe
been before-clasped to his father
breast; he shivered, and the tathe
asked for dry clothes.
His blouse, father! this Is his
put it onl' Hal cried through hi
tears.
"And then the story of takin
away Bennie's treasured garment-c
his distress at finding the white-sleeN
ed one, and how that probably excl
ed him TO wander so far-all wa
told as they tried to warm and lee
him. But he could not eat; Wit
? Halls hand in his, he fell asleep IN n
, fathers arms.
II cannot dwell on the rest; Benn
! was given the tenderest love an
e care, but the price of his heroism wa
d his life. There was little pain-ar
+ how happy he was that we loved III
at last. ,,
e "For, Willie, am Hal, and il the
g be any good in me, owe it, with n
IS life. to my dumb twin brother. Il
!, love that prompted him to such
y forts for those who had never valu
i. him has been my inspiration, leadl
d, me to seek the God who gave hlm
le work. and took him to himself VIII
rs il was done. See, Will, what u
ne used him for; how much he m
mean YOU to do with so many mC
RS powersl Let us try together TO Il
II out" -.,,
~ Heuceforth. Mr.. Lee taught VIII
le night till his extreme quickness iit'
IN him for his twin brothers class, a
is then drew him on a hand sleigh
rs school. Wills whole being expand
tn ne soon became necessary to eV'
lg one and when Mr.. Lee left Chestl
he the crippled youth was the guIdl
%, spirit of the Armstrong family,
influencing only through love Q
sympathy, for Win had been taut
ws Of God. Nor did his usefulness
ut there. At twenty-one he was elec
nd schoolmaster, and though he can
he lead the boys in athletics, he can !
ew does in that worthier strife to WI
lly Mr.. Lee had already directed then
'as n. Y. Observer.
I'VE The Hen and Her Chicks.
1ch .