Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-08-26

IN Oruer 10 SJOp AT Jne SJuJlOn LOT WdJeT'
"Why, there are two sections on run
Al, to-nightw Ethel exclaimed, as she
saw the two red flags on the engine.
Then the train drew up at the sta
tion, the engine was cut loose and
switched over to the tank for water,
after which the train proceeded on its
way to Placer City, six miles distant,
to sidetrack for No. o, the fast limited
express.
After the second section had gone
through the same operation as the first,
Ethel entered the pumphouse, to make
sure that the fire under the boiler was
properly banked for the night,
She desired to start for home as soon
as No. 8 passed, so as not to alarm her
parents by any unnecessary delay.
She had been inside but moment or
two, when her attention was attracted
by slight noise at the window.
Imagine her surprise, upon turning
around, to see a man standing at the
open window, with his gun, which was
resting upon the window-sill aimed di-
rectly at her
ITS mothers DREAM she said to
herself; but not muscle moved to show
that she was surprised.
"Say, little gal" said the man at the
widow where is the station agent?"
"He is not here, sir. He went away
some time ago"
Where to?" demanded the man,
grufily.
''He went to Keeley's Bar, with sup
plies for the con pany's men," replied
Ethel, and added, in an undertone: But
that was a long time ago
"When is the lightning express due?"
I'm thirty minutes" said Ethel, as
she glanced at the clock above her IA
ther's rude desk.
"Well, we want to board her. Can
we 90 so?"
NO sir: they do not stop here for
water"
Cant you flag hero"
"No, sir"
"Why not?"
"We have orders not to flag No 9 un-
less there is danger ahead"
Then there will be danger ahead"
said the ruffian, as he turned his back
to Ethel, and, addressing the men, said:
''Get to work lively, men, and take up
a couple of rails; the express is going
to stop here tonight, and don't you for
get it,
Ethel glanced through the window,
and, sure enough, there were four men
besides the spokesman, making five in
all, as her mother had dreamed.
Quick as thought, she turned and
sprang through the open door; there
al - l,n
hard ground, and an instant later the
white pony dashed around the corn er
of the pump-house and was off with the
speed of deer.
"Bang" "Bang!' "Baugm rang the
report of firearms in rapid succession.
The men had discovered her fight, but
in their haste had shot wide of the
mark.
Bang" "Bang!" Bang" "Bangr'
rang out u second volley from the re-
peating rifles. The bride rein dropped,
as Ethel threw up her hands and fell
forward on the pony's neck, limp and
apparently lifeless. The frightened
animal, seeing he was free 20 go where
he chose dashed headlong down the
bank into the gulch below and disap-
peared from view.
Il guess that red-headed imp of
girl won't give us any further trouble"
remarked one of the men.
''I ou're right" said another, "she's
fixed all right enough"
Had the speakers stood where they
could have seen what was taking place
down in the gulch, they would soon
4 &.,1.
sooner had the pony reached the bot
tom than Ethel arose direct in the sad
die, gathered up the reins and re-
marked:
"A pretty good trick for a red-headed
girl to play. When they thought me
dead they ceased firing; otherwise
might have been killed" Looking at
her tiny watch, present from her
father, she added:
utes in which to make it. Now, Snow
flake, tlyr'
Loosening rawhide from the POM
mel of the saddle, she lashed the pony
into run. One, two, three, four miles
are passed. The tender-hearted girl,
who under ordinary circumstances
would not think of beating her pony,
used the lash without mercy, urging
him to his utmost speed.
Finally exhausted, her hand dropped
to her side, and when she again raised
it she saw that it was covered with
blood.
"Why" she exclaimed. 81 must have
been hit after all. Yes, my skirt is
soaked with blood, and, come to think
rof it, did feel stinging pain in my
thigh when the men fired; but what of
it? We must reach Placer City in time,
should it kill us both!"
At last the station was in sight
Only short half mile and she would
be at the end of her journey. But,
alas The wind bore sound to her
ear that fairly froze the blood in her
veins, long, shrill whistle, the ex
press calling for clear track. Ethe
shut her teeth tightly and piled the