The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-08-23
"THE ETHEL LYNCH"
A Little Western Girls Brave Deed
and Her Reward.

| located about the center of the road
| 1t was not much of a station either, the
only building being the shed that con
tanned the engine and pumps which
pumped water to the tank thatsuppliec
the road engines with water
Few trains ever stopped for any othel
purpose, unless they were tagged, a:
there wasn't a house within two mile:
of the station, with the exception o.
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 a sprightly little eirl of perhaps
! twelve or thirteen years of age, and
| pretty enough for an artists model, as
she sat upon the back of her nilk-white
pony, man fashion, her legs bare to her
knees, and dressed in a gray plaid
skirt, a tight-ftting velvet jacket, and
train-boy's cap resting jauntily upon
her beautiful auburn curls. Ethel
Lynch was a prime favorite with the
trainnen and regular passengers on the
Silver Creek road and they were al
ways on the alert to get glimpse of
the red-headed girl and the white
horse
Mr.. Lynch was formerly engineer on
the engine that pulled the train known
as the Thunderbolt-a limited express
upon the main line Of which the Silver
Creek road was a branch. But one
night train robbers removed a rail from
the track, and Ira Lynch (who saved
the lives of the passengers intrusted to
his care by standing faithfully at his
post of duty was dragged from under
the pile of broken and twisted iron and
steel that once formed part of his be-
loved engine, burned and bleeding
mass. Of all the many people who wit
messed the terrible sight, not one
thought it possible for him to live; but
by careful nursing and strong de-
termination on his part to live for his
wife's and little daughters sake, he so
far recovered as to be able to take
charge of the little station at H alfwav.
At the time our story opens, Mr.
Lynch was standing at the open win
dow of the pump house, gazing intent
~ at some object in the direction of his
cabin.
1t was at the close OF lovely day in
June. The rays OF the setting sun for
it lacked but an hour of sunset) sf1one
full in his face. Shading his eyes with
his hand, he looked long and earnestly.
We'll, ] declare.' he exclaimed, in a
tone of surprise, ''.it's our Ethel! Ma
must be feeling better, or she wouldn't
leave her alone"'
Being satisfied that everything was
all right, he again gave his attention
TO his work, SO as to have things in
shape to leave for the night. BY the
time the task was completed, Ethel
had approached TO within speaking dis
tance. The pony was walking along
very leisurely, under a loose rein, $50
as not to scare pa" Ethel had said TO
herself, as she checked the pony down
to walk
We'll, how's ma and the baby been,
to-day?' inquired Mr.. Lynch, as Ethel
slid from the pony's back to the
ground.
"Oh, they've been splendid all dav,
Mamma wanted to get up, she felt SO |
we'll"
Pm glad to 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 for?"
why. yes, to be sure!"
We'll, listen. and I'll tell you: This
afternoon mamma fell asleep and she
had an awful dream. It worried her
so that she told it to me, and 1 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 frigh ten your ma. She isn't
very tinid woman. But tell me, and
hen III know for myself"
We'll, mamma said that she saw five
men walking up the track. They all
wore big bushy whiskers and carried
runs. She said she didn't think anv-
hing strange about it, but thought
hey were hunters until one of them
aid: 1t must be that he is in the
'ump-house.' So she just watched
hem, and, sure enough, they came di-
Getty here. the big man that spoke be-
ng IN the lead. They approached the
window very cautiously; the big man
rat his gun through the window and
ired. Then she saw you throw ND
our hands and fall to the ground
,eadr'
That was quite dream. and it's no
Wonder it frightened her. But Won 90
light back and tell her that | am well
nd will be home soon, and she will be
atisfed"
No, she won't either, pa, for she
aid that she could never believe that
was only dream, until she had seen
ou with her own eyes. You must 90
ome. I'll stay and give water to AIS
ngine, and signal No. O."
'All right, Ethel. if YOU think that
be viii feel any better for seeing me.
iere are the keys. You be sure and
ont stay longer than is necessary. for
Will be dark long before you reach
ONE"
Yes pa. I'll do just as you say. only
o make haste so that ma won't worry.
iood-by."
Alssing her father, she waited impa-
lently until be had taken his leave.
i guess l had better tie Snowflake ,
ehind the pumphouse." said little
.thel' as her father disappeared from ,
lew, because the SCOT from the en- ,
ines makes him all speckled."
That done, She went to examine the :
witch, 10 see that it was thrown right
or No. Il. the through freight. which !
rRs already due.
She had but jast returned when the :