The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-08-07
SELECTED STORY.
A Railway Knight..-The Train Boys
Bravery,

single empty seat in any of the four
sleepers, and at each stop there were
new demands for berths.
Spirited conversations between the
Wagner conductor and irate passengers
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 a furried, all-important
parsonage who had insisted on his
right to 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 while his journeys
through the cars, Offering his wares of
candy, gum, books and magazines.
Trade this side of Niagara didn't
amount to much. He had learned that
by experience.
AT first magazines sold pretty we'll
but the real demand did not come till
after they had passed Suspension
Bridge 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 pretty keen in
sight into the habits and desires of the
passengers.
At glance he could tell who would
and who would not buy of him, and
just what women needed a little per-
suasion and pleasant smile-to induce
purchase.
In fact, Dams smile was valuable
part of his stock in trade, and he used
it to advantage, for it was a pleasant
smile-and it made the round, freckled
face very winning.
He was sorting over his books now,
preparatory to one more trip thr ough
the cars, before offering peanuts and
candy again, when the train drew up
at dingy, dilapidated station. They
were stopping for water he knew, and
he went to the platform and jumped to
the ground.
Il was 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 wo-
men 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 to
take her off, and she'll be real good
girl and moi trouble you a bit, won't
you Bessie2"
Here she pulled forward little blue
eyed girl, and the conductors eyes
rested thoughtfully on her.
Dan drew near-he was interested to
know what the conductor would do.
"They'll be most crazy if she don't
come" added the other woman. "And
it will put them out dreadfully cause
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 of
the car and stood, watch in hand, ready
to give the signal.
"Say, I'll kinder keep an eye on the
kid, if that's all you want" Dan said,
awkwardly, to the women. "Don't
know much bout children, but guess
some of the women will tend to her?"
He gave an inquiring glance at the con-
ductor.
GAIL right-Pll willing-jump aboard,
will you, we're late now," and the con-
ductor waved his hand.
Dan seized the child and placed her
lightly on the platform, and the train
began to move. He listened to the part.
ing directions of the two women, and
threw back the silver half dollar one
of them tried TO slip into his hand with
toss of his head, as he shouted: 81
amt no porter, and I'm adding this to
'blige you"
Then he held the child tightly while
she waved her tiny handkerchief till
the station was mere speck in the dis.
lance.
Then he took her into the car and
left her to amuse herself with the rolls
of lozenges while he made trip through
the other cars. By the time he got
back she had made friends with lady
across the aisle, who offered to share
her berth with the child, and before the
afternoon was over she was playing
games all over the car, and to Dams in
tense amusement she insisted on eating
supper with the man who had made the
greatest fuss over his berth, but who
Bessie insisted, looked "just like
grandpa"
So Dan kept only general oversight
of the child, and finally, when she dis
appeared behind the heavy curtains OF
the berth, with good night, every
body" that included the whole car, ht
went back to the day coach and curle(
up on hard seat to sleep.
He slept soundly, fcr the day hat
been tiresome one, but after while
he began to dream. He thought tina
Bessie had chewed gum till she grew
smaller and smaller and finally wa
nothing but one of the prizes in thu
bags of popcorn, little sugar image
which he was about to eat when
Crash!
Dan was awake now. In an instan
he was rushing toward the sleeper
Something dreadful had happened
The train shook and shivered an
swayed.
There was second crash and teal
ing sound, and the end of the car wa
torn off and a cloud of steam rushed i
apd about him