Middletown transcript., 1892-10-20
THE DEEP CUT.

lt was O D6auC1Iul may luOIuLuS.
uncurled my legs q had, still have
O habit Of curling myself up when
want to enjoy a good newell, tossed
my book aside, stretched myself
wearily and looked down the road
toward Woodburn. Although / had
done nothing but read all morning,
was hungry. Youth and high health
always combine to strengthen the
demand for breadstuffa It was time
my dinner had come, / said to my
self, glancing at the clock in my
cagelike room. just then familiar
sound caused me to rise and open
the door.
There, on the path beside the rail-
way, stood Tim Ferris. His golden
curls were blowing across his blue
eyes, dancing up and down in the
May wind, bobbing like clover heads
before the breeze. He was pattering
along barefooted on the clay path
made by the workmen who made
the deep cut and the bridge. The
basket ON his arm seemed trifle
heavy. He was pufiingenergetically
when I called to him:
s'What's your hurry, TimT
He hurried on until he stood at the
bottom Of the steps leading up to my
station, looked up at me with spark
ling eyes and answered:
II couldn't help it. I'm to go to
Woodburn to see the circus, and
there's real live elephant, and os-
trichus, and lions and whales and a
unicorn"
Here Tim, relieved of his basket
and bucket, drew a long breath,
looked at his feet, at his ragged
clothes, then up at me, wistfully, and
added: II don't know how many
things thore Is, but Jim Stacy says
there never was nothin like it.
And mann said ! can go-but I've got
to be quick, COS Jim Stacy's goin to
take me in his wagon, and he's morn
rattlin things to git ready"
I'm that case. Tim, said /, YOU'D
best not wait for the things, III
take them home myself. You just
hasten home. young man. and
here.r
Tins eyes grew as big as two
saucers as he looked at the coin in
his palm, then up into my face. His
bright blue eyes were moist; the lit
tie fellow was crying with joy al
ready. He opened his mouth to
thank me, butt cut him short.
That's all right, Tim. You cut
right back home, and tell your
mother ] win make the damage good
IL anything happens your new suit.
It won't do to go shabby, Tim. You
must blacken your shoes and put
ribbon on your hat"
Nam. won't have no time"
"You listen to me. You can 60
home through the deep cutn-
Through the tunnel, Mr.. Mooreg"
81 said through the tunnel. It
WIN save more than half mile, and
you VIII be ready before Stacy calls
for you"
I'm glad you told me.s
And Tim was off like a bird.
What happy little fellow he was,
so brave and manly, and the soul Of
truth. It shone in his bright blue
eyes; Illuminated his whole face.
Nobody could look at Tim Ferris,
ragged, dirty, sunbrowned as he
was without seeing and appreciating
all that was most TO be admired and
loved in a child Of eight. That was
the sum total Of Tins life.
As his yellow curls glinted in the
sunshine, ! gave him parting glance,
then put my foot ON the steps to
mount to my station, when the clat-
tering OF a horses hoofs on the road
fell on my ear.
It was Bob Somers going home
from Woodburn with the morning
mail for his fathers mill. knew
Bob and Bob's horse well. He refined
up, dismounted leisurely, as was his
wont, and sat down on my steps to
talk about the last frolic over at
&ddleyis barn raising. Meantime, I
was absorbing Mrs. Ferris warm
meat, biscuit, pies and milk as fast
as q hungry man could, talking be-
tween bites. The Office was as quiet
as churchyard. Bob was describ-
Ing, In strict confidence, the youHg
lady who was to be Mrs. Bob Somers
some day, when Rockford called me.
! paused in the act of nipping
good half Of one Of Mrs. Ferris pies,
-. inclined an ear. Rockford was
Iwelve miles west Of my station.
Usually ] called Rockford, and then
only to communicate matters of mo-
ment sent me from the east. Other
wise ! was not to meddle with Rock
ford. The call from Rockford sound
ID sharper even than usual. It was
70 imperative that even Bob Somers
it
Sounds like as If they were in an
Ill fired hurry, whoever it Is"
] bounded up the steps and an
swered promptly. Rockford respond
ID in return. Short, clear and sharp
came the message:
Bridge down at Bakers Run. Construction
rain due Woodburn at ls:l5. Advise Wood
surn-
Such o shock I never experienced
before, and ! hope I never may
again. A cold chill ran over me. !
it was imagination, but ]
thought my heart ceased to beat for
half q minute, and then it gave
mighty throb as ] signaled Wood