The morning call., 1892-12-06
MARY BROWN.

She rejoiced in the unromantic sobriquet
Of Mary Brown; she was plain. short,
"dumpy." But she proved herself heroine,
nevertheless.
A hard life had been hers. Her mother
had married Calvin Brown as the result Of
family arrangement. She saw him but
once, and week later they met at the
altar. As is usually the case in such in
stances, an unhappy married life followed.
Mary grew up in an atmosphere Of con-
jugal infeicity. From her earliest child
hood she cherished a tender love for her
father, although he had nothing but harsh
words and even blows for the patient. affec-
tionate daughter who studled his every
desire. At the age OF IS she was quiet.
Silent girl. with but one interest in life
love for her little sister Allie, whose birth
cost Mrs. Brown her life. Mary received
the child from her dying mothers arms,
yowiug TO take her place as far rs possible;
and faithfully she fulfilled her trust.
Her heart seemed bound up in Allie.
Often, when her household duties were
performed, she would take the child far
int the forest near their home and remain
away for hours. And Allie never tired of
her older sister. In her baby eyes what
ever Mary did was right, her commands
were to be obeyed unquestioningly.
1t was on one of these long rambles that
Mary showed the true depth Of her charac-
ter. They had been gathering wild flowers
one sunny afternoon in June. near the rail-
road that wound its way westward through
pleasant valley such as is so offer found
in Western Pennsylvania.
The day had been sultry and the sisters
lay down beneath The shade of an old oak.
Tired Mary soon fell asleep. When she
awoke little Allie was gone Thinking the
child had started for home she walked down
the track, rounded the long curve, and soon
came 90 the long trestle by means of which
the railway crossed the valley. This trestle
was almost half mile long, and In some
places full 100 feet high. There, half way
across. laying her flowers out on the IRON
rall and laughing gleefully at having run
away from her sister, was little Allie. Just
below her rushed the turbulent waters of n
small creek, its rocky bed iringed with the
water willow and the thorn. while far out
extended thieket OF brambles aud briers
Mary shuddered 10 think what fall
from that height and in such place would
mean. Then, summ0ning up her courage,
she stepped upon the trestle.
But harkl What was that? The fast
express! She heari its whistle In the dis
tance. In five minutes il would be upon
her. and half of that long trestle must be
trayersed ere she could reach the little one
who stood there so innocent and uncon-
scious Of danger.
Could she 90 1T, Yes, she must. size
would. She fastened on. She reached the
child: her fingers clutched her dress; but
how could she save her?
The train WAS On the trestle The engI-
Deer had seen them and was trying To sion
the engine. but Mary knew he could not
check the lightning speed Of the express in
time.
Should she jump from that dizzy height?
No. the child might be killed. Butts must
act. With murmured prayer she threw
herself across the ties beside the track. and
fastening both hands convulslvely in little
Allies dress she lowered her between the
Gro SIS beams out Of all possible reach OF
danger.
The train Numbered on. She was safe!
But no-just as the rear car passed over her
she raised her head.
L be train was at last stopped Passen-
gers and trainmen hurried back TO where
Mary was lying, the life blood oozing from
cash in the back Of her head. But her
ands still grasped little Allie who was safe.
They carried her to the train. She spoke
once: "AlIie-i sayed-herp' and her
Blu irit passed away.
SD The fast express stopped at S. that day
7 the first time since the railroad had been
fouilt, causing quite commotion, and a
eneral movement OF the villagers TO the
tation 10 ascertain the cause Of the pro-
8 esdigg Thsy eax,A aass;,g, ls:gti2s+ Y.