The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-08-24

| Made desperate by the thought,
Ethel leaned forward and buried her
white teeth deep into the neck of the
pony. Made furious by the pain, the
almost exhausted animal leaped for
ward, staggering as he ran. A mo-
ment more, and they were at the sta
ton. Without waiting to stop, Ethel
slid from the pony's back; then her leg
gave way beneath her, and she fell to
the ground.
A fireman on freight engine recog-
nized Ethel and ran to her assistance
"ON. don't mind me, but flag No. 81
she gasped, and none too soon, for she
could bear the roar of the ponderous
train and the rapid clicking sound on
the rails, caused by the driving wheels
passing over the rail functions, each
click plainly telling her that the train
was at least two rods nearer destruc-
ton.
Then the engineer whistled for
brakes. and she knew that the train
was saved.
When the train had stopped, Ethel
told her story to the wondering people
who had gathered about her, after
which the conductor ordered her car.
ried to the baggage car, but she re-
fused, saying:
mo, ! will not go without Snow
flake" ~
"All right, little girl, replied the ed
ductor, "the pony shall go, too"
So they took both horse and rider
into the baggage car, where q bale OF
mattresses was hastily broken open, and
one procured for the little sufferer to
lie upon, and a roll of blankets, belong
ing to one David Carson, OF Dead Mans
Gulch, but more commonly known as
Dare Devil Dave" was brought for
ward to serve as pillow The owner
of the blankets was there in person,
kneeling on the floor beside her.
Poor little girl" he said, as he
wiped the tears from his eyes with the
back of his hand. This is more than
con stand" His huge frame shook with
sobs, as he picked up her cap, and,
turning to the by-stauders, said: Eel
low citizens, let us do something"
The miners gave literally. Both
bills and coin were tossed into the cap.
One miner contributed a small leathern
bag containing couple of ounces of
gold dust Nor wat David Carson the
only man that weptfor the uncomplain-
ing little sufferer. Fears coursed down
many sun-bronzed cheek unused to
such visitor, and not one of them,
rough as they We're but would willing
ly have taken her place and borne the
pain in her stead, were such a thing
possible. A few dement's later the
man from the gulchlagain knelt beside
Ethel, and as he placed her cap upon
the floor beside her said: Here, little
girl, this may makeyou feel better, It's
to buy you new gown" which remark
plainly went to show his ignorance re-
garding the value Of dress-goods He
had collected enough money 10 pur-
chase fair-sized drv-goods store.
When the doctor that had been sent
for arrived the train proceeded on it's
way. Half a dozen miners armed with
Winchester rifles were stationed in the
| cob &c tho engine, A~dar the command
of Dare Devil Dave" and the onlr or.
der that that individual gave was this
Fellow citizens, hope you know
your business. Don't shoot unless you
get the word; then shoot to kill
The train approached the station a,
Halfway at very high speed, all on
board seemingly unconscious of any i'm
pending danger.
light was swung across the track,
signaling the train to stop. The en-.
) gineer obeyed promptly and the train
was brought to a standstill less than a
hundred feet from where the robbers
stood with guns leveled at the train.
Hands up!' demanded the leader.
There was flash of fire from the
cab windows, followed by the report Of
a half dozen rifles, and it was all over.
1t was sorrowful little procession
which wendell its way down the bride.
path that led to the station agents
humble home. Nearly all the passen.
gers were there. The conductor, ac.
companied by the doctor, had gone on
in advance to prepare Ethel's parents
for her homecoming. The patien,
little sufferer was reclining on car
seat, borne by two stalwart miners
While David Carson brought up the
rear, leading the badlv used-up pony.
We may, perhaps, never know jus,
what took place az the agents cabin
The only remark was made by the big
hearted giant from the gulch. When
the party had returned to the train he
drew sigh of relief as he exclaimed
"Fellow citizens, l feel better"
The trainmen soon replaced the rails
which the robbers had removed. and
No. went on her way an hour and
twenty minutes late.
1t was several months before Ethe'
was able to again ride Snowflake. But
one day her father told her that there
would be new engine on the light
ming express, and he would like very
much to have her see it. So she rode
over to the station and sat gracefully
upon her pony as the train approached
The first thing that attracted her at
tention was beautiful, miniature
milk-white pony, standing upon the
front of the engine, one foot poised in
the air, nostrils dilated and neck proud
ly arched, for all the world like hel
own beloved Snowflake. and seated
upon its back was a very small girl
that was dressed and looked very much
like herself.