The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-01-05

Une rail- Juncr1ons, eacn U1cK plainly Uenmg
her that the train was at least two rods
nearer destruction.
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 con-
ductor ordered her carried to the baggage
ear, but she refused, saving:
"No will not go without Snowflake. I"
"All right, little girl, ;" replied the con-
luctor, "the pony shall go too"
So they took both horse and rider into
the baggage car, where bale of mattress
es was hastily broken open, and one pro-
cured for the little sufferer to lie upon,
and roll of blankets, belonging to one
David Carson of Dead Mans Gulch, but
more commonly known as "Dare Devil
Dave" was brought forward to serve as a
pillow. The owner of the blankets was
there in person, kneeling on the floor be-
side her.
"Poor little girl" he said as he wiped
the tears from his eyes with the back of
his hand. "This is more than ! can
stand" His huge frame shook with sobs
as he picked up her cap, and turning to
the bystanders said, "Felllow citizens, let
us do something"
The miners gave literally. Both bills
and coin were tossed into the cap. One
miner contributed small leather bag,
containing a couple of ounces of gold dust.
Nor was David Carson the only man that
wept for the manipulating little sufferer.
Tears coursed down many sun bronzed
cheek unused to such visitor, and not
one of them, rough as they were, but
would willingly have taken her place and
borne the pain in her stead, were such a
thing possible. A few moments later, the
man from the gulch again knelt beside
Ethel, and as he placed her cap upon the
floor beside her said: "Here, little girl,
this may make you feel better. It's to buy
you new gown" which remark plainly
went to show his ignorance regarding the
value of dress goods. He had collected
enough money to purchase fair sized dry
goods store.
When the doctor that had been sent for
arrived, the train proceeded on its way.
Half dozen miners, armed with Win
chester rifles, were stationed in the cab Of
the engine, under the command of "Dare
Devil Dave" and tie only order 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 at
Halfway at a very high speed, all on board
seemingly unconscious of any impending
danger.
A light was swung across the track,
signaling the train to stop. The engineer
obeyed promptly, and the train was
brought TO standstill less than 100 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 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 hum
BILE home. Nearly all the passengers were
there. The conductor, accompanied by
the doctor, had gone on in advance to pre-
pare Ethel's parents for her home coming.
The patient little sufferer was reclining
on a car seat, borne by two stalwart min
ers, while David Carson brought up the
rear, leading the badly used up pony.
We may perhaps never know just what
took place at the agents cabin. The only
remark was made by the big hearted giant
from the gulch. When the party had re-
turned to the train, he drew a sigh of re-
lief as he exclaimed;
"Fellow citizens, | feel better"
The trainmen soon replaced the rails
which the robbers had removed, and No. 9
went on her way, an hour and 20 minutes
late
1t was several months before Ethel was
able to again ride Snowflake. But one
day her father told her that there would be
new engine on the lightning 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 ap
preached.
The first thing that attracted her atten-
ton was beautiful miniature milk white
pony, standing upon the front of the
engine, one foot poised in air, nOstrils di-
lated and neck proudly arched, for all the
world like her own beloved Snowflake, and
seated upon its back was very small girl,
that was dressed and looked very much
like herself.
Then her eyes fell upon the name of the
new engine, painted in gold letters beneath
the cab window There could be no mis-
take, for the letters were very plain and
read like this, 1.-THE Ethel Lynch.
Then, as the train swept past, the pas
sengers, who had been informed of Ethel's
ride, cheered heartily in honor of the little
mountain heroine.
Surely it is not to be wondered at that
the trainmen on the Silver Creek road have
a warm place in their hearts for the little
girl out in Colorado or that the president
Of the road has hanging in his private
office an oil painting of "a redheaded girl
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