The Southern herald., 1894-07-27
ATHENS BRAVERY.
Ths Trus Story Of q Country
school TeacheE

tNu AllAle1t uutI tL0DIuE, wooded
hill, rough. but not inaccessible
breaking through the range on the
east comes > river, sometimes peaceful,
bnt IN times Of wind and storm a
raging torrent On the west, having
gathered It's waters from the hillsides,
q creek turns away from the range and
pursues its winding way to the south,
meeting the river a mile or two be-
low Along the valley IN the fore
ground q railroad takes It's undevi-
ating way, crossing both creek and
river. High up on the mountain side
Is cottage, scarcely more than a
cabin.
Aileen MeAllister stood at the via
dow Of the living room ofthis mountsl IN
home, looking out into the wild, dreary
November night Very early che day
had gone out into twilight, the clouds
settling heavy upon the earth. Aileen
said II seemed Is though the darkness
rolled up from the valley below and
rolled down from the mountain above
and concentrated about their little
nook on the mountain side.
1T was so dark before four o'clock
that we could scarcely see to read In
the schoolhouse. and I was afraid that
the Brinker children would get lost
going over the mountain" This she
said, shivering little at the though,
Of her own walk through the wind and
rain.
Mrs McAlister and Aileen lived
alone In the little house, which the
summer foliage almost hid from the
view Of those who looked up FROM ths
valley below. Though pleasant enough
In summer, II was bleak, lonely place
IN winter Mr.. McAlister had beer
section boss" on the railroad, the
passing trainsupon which were almost
the only break in the stiffness anC
loneliness Of their isolated home. H
had been able to keep his family II
comfort, and was looking for a prom
ised promotion, when suddenly th'
shadow fell There was an accident
then weeks Of pain; then the life wen
out The strong-hearted wife an'
brave young daughter cheered ans
soothed the last hours Of the sufferer
then they took up the burden Of living
and began the struggle for the mean
Of support. How they managed TO OK
ist they could themselves SCARCELY havi
told. Since Aileen's sixteenth birthday
she had been the teacher Of the coun
try school. and her small salary hat
considerably lightened the mother
burden.
The hours sped away, and when a
nine o'clock Aileen looked out, thert
was no abatement of the storm. Th'
bowling Of the wind and the roaring
/ of the waters Of river and creek wer'
almost deafening. Looking up the val
ley, Aileen saw the headlight Of loco
motive. Steadily II advanced, seem
ing to cut its way through the dark
ness, until suddenly It disappeared
Many time had Aileen watched thl
headlights Of the night trains, and sh'
know that in all their course down th'
valley there was nothing to obstruc
tAe light; and quicker than though
she realized the appalling fact that th'
train had gone into, the chasm Of th'
creek.
"Oh, motherl'' she exclaimed, there
trouble at the bridget am going dow
to see what Is the matter and to fn'
out II ! can help"
Mrs, McAlister lighted the lanterl
and put it into the girls hand, saying
"Aly child, II could only 60 witt
you!'
We'll, mother dear. If You had onl.
postponed the spraining Of that foo
for q day OF so, you could have ha'
the pleasure said Aileen. cheeril.
adding: Now don't worry; aud
mother, If anything happens to me
\ you will remember that was tryhaI
to do my duty"
AS rapidly as possible she followe'
the path down the hill, crossed tn
road which ran alongside the railroad
sprang across the ditch and scramble'
| up the bank to the track. She did no
make this part Of the journey withou
many scratch from the bushes, bu
she paid no heed to such trifles. Sh
| sped up the track and found that he
snrmise was correct--the bridge owe
the creek had been swept away
ICrawling out upon the part that re
mained as far as she could, she swunI
her lantern above tho chasm AM
called loudly; above the noise Of tn
storm she heard . faint response i
her call.
What is the matter. and who !
there?1 she asked,
III Is |, Engineer Pratt, fast in
freight wreck The express must b
| warned. She's due IN an hour. HOY
| many are tliere2n
Only Aileen McAlister. But II
4 get help
go quiclsl There Is no time t
Loser
Crawling back from her perilous pc
sltion, Aileen took but nuoment 70
reflection. Piainly there vas but on
thing to do. She might possibly war
the express by swinging her lantern
but suppose there should be trains fror
/ the west9 The telegraph Office mus
be reached; and. besides. help must b
secured speedily for the unfortunat
engineer in the wreck The one thin
70 do was to walk down the track I
The station, mile away. That woul
be unpIeasant and hazardous IN tn
driving storm; but to make matter
worse there was the high trestle acros
/ the river, five hundred feet longI Coul
she walh that with only the light Q
| her smoky lansefn2 Could she stan
| against the fierce gale that vas blow
ing7 She must. There was 70 que!
tion ID the girls mind as to whether Q
not she could she thing must be don.
| hundreds Of lives might be 10 dangei
and the sfnfning muat Be given.
ne made the drst part Of the joui
ney - cooperative comfort She ha
nat 10 bn 90 tie lookout for train