The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1893-08-19
THE ETHEL LYNCH
BY W. R. D1sBRo.

called by that old name is impossible to
state, unless because it was located
about the center of the road. It was
not much of a station either, the only
building being the shed that contained
the engine and pumps which pumped
water to the tank that supplied the road
engines with water.
Few trains ever stopped for any
other purpose, unless they were tagged
as there wasn't a house within two
miles of the station, with the exception
of the little cabin occupied by the agent
and his family, which consisted of him
self, his wife, daughter and her little
baby brother Ethel, the daughter,
was pretty little girl of perhaps ! !. or
10 years Of age, and pretty enough for
an artists model, as she sat upon the
back of her milk-white pony, man fash
ion, her legs bare to her knees, and
dressed in gray plaid skirt, tight
fitting velvet jacket, and train boys
cap resting iauntily upon her beautiful
auburn curls. Ethel Lynch was prime
favorite with the trainmen and regular
passengers of the Silver Creek road,
and they were always on the alert to
get a glimpse of the red-headed girl
and the white horse.
Mr.. Lynch was formerly engineer on
the engine that pulled the train known
I'D
upon the main line of which the Silver
Creek road was a branch. But one
night train robbers removed rail from
the track, and Ira Lynch-who saved
the lives of the passengers entrusted TO
mis- care by standing faithfully at his
post of duty-was dragged from under
the pile of broken and twisted iron steel
that once formed part of his beloved
engine, burned and bleeding mass.
OF all the many people who Witnessed
the terrible sight, not one thought it
possible for him TO live; but by careful
nursing and strong determination on
mis- part to live for his wife and little
daughters sake, he so far recovered as
10 be able TO take charge Of the little
station at Halfway.
At the time our story opens, Mr..
Lynch was standing at the open win
dow of the pump-house, gazing intently
at some object in the direction of his
cabin.
1t was at the close of a lovely day in
June; the rays of the setting sun flor it
lacked but an hour Of sunset shone
fun in his face. Shading his eyes with
his hand, he looked long and earnestly.
"Well, declared" he exclaimed, in
tone of surprise, sits our Ethel! Ma
must be feeling better or she wouldn't
leave her alonem
Being satisfied that everything was
all right, he again gave his attention
TO his work, so as 10 have things in
shape TO leave for the night. By the
time the task was completed, Ethel
had approached TO within a speaking
distance. The pony was walking along
very leisurely, under loose rein, so
as not to scare pa" Ethel mad said to
herself, as she checked the pony down
10 a walk.
We'll, how's ma and the baby been,
today7" inquired Mr.. Lynch, as Ethel
slid from the pony's back TO the ground
''Oh, they've been splendid all day
Mamma wanted TO get up, she felt so
we'll"
Pm glad 10 hear that, for it don't
seem very much like home when ma is
sick. Does it,"
No, indeed; but do you want to know
what came over for3"
why, yes, to be suren'
well, listen, and I'll tell YOU; This
afternoon mamma fell asleep and she
mad an awful dream. 1t worried her SO
that she told it TO me, and ! came over
70 be sure it wasn't so; but you couldn't
make mamma believe it wasn't SO, for
she said she never could until she had
seen you with her own eyes"
Why! 1t must have been something
terrible TO brighten your ma. She isn't
a very timid woman. But tell me, and
then I'll know for myself"
"Well, mamma said that she saw FIVE
men walking up the track. They all
wore big, bushy whiskers and carried
guns. She said she didn't think any
thing strange about it, but thought they