The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-09-11

ened up, as if the danger was really too
great, and then, as if his promise had
come fully upon his mind, and again
carefully opened his throttle. Down
the valley we went, our rapid speed
startling the birds, the cattle, and even
the stai1 old forest trees into new and
strange ideas. I grasped the brake
firmly; the engine whistled and
screamed, warning all to keep clear Of
it. I held my breath, well knowing
that if we left the track it would be to
go to destruction.
Suddenly the whistle ceased, and
then there came three unearthly ye1ls
from it; they pierced my ears and
made them ache. How I set up the
brake, for / felt there was danger
ahead. I knew this when Gardiner
suddenly reversed his engine. The
shutting off, the reversing, and the
brakes set up so tight that I feared the
chains would break, did not seem to
have the slightest efortupon the train.
On, on it went, at its dangerously rapid
0POSNS \ SGASSOhO0 Wy ACGA O09 as
far as possible, clinging nervously to
the railing. I could see that Gardiner
was at his post, looking out as I did,
and moving his hand energetically,
while whistle and bell were uniting
their protest.
What was the matter, l could not
conjecture, but was anxious to know.
Springing upon the rail, I made my
way to the top of the car, and the mys-
terry was revealed. There on the track
vas a sight that sent a chill Of horror
through me. Only a few feet ahead Of
us on the track stood a mere child
unconscious of it's danger-paralyzed
so that it could not move. Just clear
of the track lay a woman evidently
helpless. I looked for Gardiner to see
what he was doing, ere / closed my
eyes to shut out the horrible sight.
The poor fellow had not been idle.
Plainly seeing that he could not drive
the child from the track, and that it's
companion was helpless he left his cab
and climbed forward on the engine, on
to the extreme end of the ~cowcatcher.
leaned over, and while clinging with
one hand, reached out with the other.
There did not seem one chance il q
million to save the child-not one-5ut
anxiety overcame horror, and / looked,
and shaddered as l looked.
How my heart leaped into my very
throat as I saw the train dash on, but
saw that as it did SO Gardiner, with al
/ p00cf cJ7noVbT1Ooon off0wE -woiooI Aho
child by it's arm from the track and
clasped it to his bosom. Then he sank
down upon the cowcatcher, faint and
powerless. His fireman clambered out
to his side, and you may rest assured ]
was not long in getting to their assist
ance. The unusual noise of the steam
had brought every person In the village
out to witness the sight, and as they
realized it they shouted their Joy until
their throats must have been hoarse,
The fireman and I chung to Gardiner;
there was no need to hold the child, for
though rigid and helpless, Gardiner
held the little one to his breast with an
iron grasp. Very 0 o we crossed the
bridge and struck the upgrade, where
the train slowed, and finally came to a
full stop, nearly in front of GARDENERS
house. With the help of the villagers
1 VIC gOOh Ny 4OASO liz CA4AA 44OA 0QL0
iner's arms, and carried the engineer
into the house and laid him on the bed.
AS he sank down the little life in him
seemed to come back, Whose child ia
it?"
superintendent Browns" said a
neighbOr, to my establishment.
us it alive2" gasped Gardiner.
rs is alive and well-thanks to your
bravery" / answered, and Gardiner
sank back upon his pillow.
The child which Gardiner had SO
miraculously saved was a son and only
child of our superintendent. Itseemed
singular that the morning talk of the
two men should have so singular an
ending, but SO it was. The wife of the
superintendent, with their only child,
had been out for a walk. The little
one, running On ahead, had strayed
upon the track. Hearing the whistle,
the mother called the child to her; but
the child, happy in its freedom, a on
laughing and shouting, child like, into
the very jaws of danger. It was too
much for the mother; she made an
effort to save her darling, but before
she could overtake the little n her
strength failed her, and she fell.
Our engineer was injured so that it
was impossible to go on, and another
was ~telegraphed for. We tried all we
could to bring Gardiner back, but the
physician said the excitement under
which the noble fellow had tabored had
Frustrated him, and it would require
the greatest care and a long time to
bring him back to life. He had that
care, you may rest assured.
I was in GARDENERS house when Su-
p~erintendent Brown came in that night.
4 TH0 GG~I1 won- - no mn anTT~G hs~N h4G
lost all signs of his anger, and he weps
Elika O child 90 he lookad 11non tie