The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1895-10-10

leaving consisted OF n few struggling
houses, the homes of the railroad men,
aul the road itself was used priuci.
paliy for the transportation of cattle
and freight, for but few travellers
passed through this Wild region.
The distance to Delmane, To which
place they were bound, was matter
of about twenty-five miles, and Mat
tern arrived there in three hours, in
spite of the darkness and dIsngreeablc
weather. In the early evening Il
strong wind had arisen, and till mid
night II perfect hurricane ragged. As
soon as the train arrived at Delmane
the bells gave the signal which told
the employees all along the line that
they could seek their rest, rs there
were no night trains runping on that
road.
Matter rested for lale while and
then .-o after the WORK. ~
been given to do, which occupied him
until about IL o'clock. Leaving the
engine standing with II low fire, rs he
was to return to the village in six
hours, he gave the fireman permission
10 go to the engine house aud get a
little sleep. He himself concluded to
seek n restaurant that, he Ind noticed,
was still lighted up, where, perhaps
he would find congenial company. As
he was free tho next day, he could
sleep then ms long rs he pleased.
When he came To tine station plat
form he met the tralnmuster's assist
ant, Mr.. Roy, who said to him:
"You have just arrived IN time;
was going to send some one to hunt
YOU mp; there is telegram here for
you.
"a telegram for me:' asked Mat.
tern, looking surprised. "Ies; Just
come into the waiting room.
In moment Mattcrn held the dcs.
patch in his trembling hands.
Special! The tralnmaster Mt Del.
name will please inform Engineer
Mattern that his child is seriously i'll
with diphtheria. DR.. Loden is absent
on journey, and other help not to
be had. Ask Mattern to bring ply
sician from Delmaue with him when
he returns early in the morning"
"My child-my poor little Charlie T.
groaned the father.
There is nothing you can do but
wait and h)pe for the best" said Mr..
Roy, philosophically. "Lie down aud
try to sleep Tor n few hours. shall
have to lock up and leave you. Good.
night. ! hope everything will turn
ont all right" And with that he went
away.
Out in the darkness stood Mattern
the storm ragged, and the rain beat in
his face. Half.past eleven Was his
boy living yet? Would medical helr
he of any avail the next morning
Full well did he know the dangerou,
character of the illness against which
science has not yet found remedy.
Only by quick and prompt attention
can danger be ayerted.
After few minutes Of deep thought
he suddenly turned and fairly ran tc
the house of DR.. Sardo and rang the
bell. The doctor appeared Mt an oper
window above and asked the name oi
his caller.
Engineer Mattern,' was the an
swer. "My child has diphtheria ant
il in great danger
Dr. Sardo threw the door.key out
of the window, saying:
"Open the door and come up; il
the meantime / will dress myself"
Matthern felt around in the dark
ness for the keyhole, and a few min
utes later stood before the doctor, {
young man, who was comparatively
new in the profession.
"Give me a description of you
child's condition, 50 that l can TAX,
the necessary remedies with me; il
diphtheria cases one must use all pos
sible despatch. You live here il
town."