Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1895-05-16
A RAILWAY KNIGHT.
Tho Story Of . Train Boys
Bravery.

The Chicago special bore an unusual
" heavy load that day.
Vacation was over and homeward
travel had begun. There was not .
single empty seat In any OF the four
sleepers, and at each stop there were
new demands for berths.
Spirited conversations between tho
Wagner conductor and irate passen'
gers who had failed to bespeak their
berths were frequent, and the last
berth, the upper one In the rear car,
reserved for the conductor himself,
had just been given up to . Hurried
all important parsonage who had In
sisted on his right to q whole section.
So now things began to quiet down.
The passengers unbent from their Dig
nifty and began to compare vacation
notes; the men betook themselves to
the smoking department, and the
train boy ceased for awhile his jour.
neys through the cars, Offering his
wares Of candy, gum, books and maya
zines
Trade this side OF Niagara didn't
amount to much He had learned that
by experience. :,
Al first magazines sold pretty we'll
but the real demand did not como till
after they had passed Suspension
Fridge and the stop at Falls View sta
ton was made. Then was the time to
offer souvenirs Of Niagara for sale.
Indeed Dan knew about how many
copies he would sell.
a few months experience on the
train had given him q pretty keen in
sight into the habits and desires OF the
passengers.
Alta glance he could tell who would
and who would not buy OF him, and
lust what women needed little per-
suasion and n pleasant smile-to in
duce purchase.
In fact Dams smile was valuable
part Of his stock in trade, and he used
il to advantage, for 1t was a pleasant
smile-and it made the round, freckled
face very winning.
lie was sorting over his books now
preparatory to one more trip through
the cars, before offering peanuts and
candy again, when the train drew up
at dingy, dilapidated station. They
we're stopping for water he knew and
he went to the platform and jumped
to the ground.
1t was a relief after the rocking
train.
Much to his surprise he found the
conductor In earnest conversation with
two women.
"Oh, but you must take her some
how" he heard the younger OF the
women exclaim in distressed voice.
you see there amt any other way
to send her, and her mother expects
her sure, and she'll be at the station tc
take her off, and she'll be real good
girl and not trouble you bit, won''
you, lIessie2' ,
Here she pulled forward a little blue
eyed girl and the conductors eye'
rested thoughtfully on her.
Dan drew near-he was interested tt
know what the conductor would do.
They'll be most crazy II she don
come" added the other woman. "Ant
It will put them out dreadfully 'caus'
they've got to start right off for Colo
RADIO"
A sharp whistle recalled the conduc
tor and he put one foot on the steps o
the car and stood, watch in hand, read.
to give the signal.
SAY, III kinder keep an eye on tn
kid, Il that's all you want" Dan said
awkwardly, to the women Don
know much bout children, but CUES
some Of the women will tend to her?
He gave an inquiring glance at the con
ductor.
"Allright-I'm willing-jump aboard
will you, we're late now" and the con
ductor waved his hand.
Dan seized the child and placed he
lightly on the platform, and the tran
began to move. He listened to the part
| ing directions Of the two women, an
threw back the silver half dollar on
Of them tried to slip into his han,
with q toss Of his head, as he shouted
~ amt no porter, and I'm adding TIL
to 'blige you"
Then he held the child tightly Will
she waved her tiny handkerchief I'll
the station was mere speck In tn
distance.
Then he took her into the car an
left her to amusc herself with the roll
NJ lozenpes while he made tri
through the other cars. BY the tim
he cot back she had made friends wit
a ladv across the aisle, who offered t
share her berth with the child, and b
, fore the afternoon was over she wa
playing games all over the car, and
h. nj 20