Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-08
A DESPERATE
UNDERTAKING.

I NDLn 1 y h1 NV.
The bell sounded for the last time.
acngincer Mattcrn kissed his wife, leap
ed 10 his engine and with a Shrill wills
sle The train slowly began 10 move.
The village hat il was leaving consist
Ell OF few struggling houses. the
homes Of the railroad men, and the
road itself was used principally for the
transportation OF cattle and freight, for
bist lew travellers passed through this
Wild region.
Tie distance 20 Delmane. to which
place thcv v"re bound. was a matter
Of about wen y-iive miles. and Mattcrn
arrived tisere ia three hours. in spite
OF tie darkness and disagreed wealth
e. Ia the carly evening Il Strong wind
had arisen. aul Ill midnight n perfect
hurricane ragged. KS soon rs the train
arrived "a Deli4ane the bells gave the
signal V hicl told tAe employees al along
tie line iha, they could seek their resi-,
a. there were ro night trains running
OH That read
Matlcrr rested for little while and
t'.,n looked after the work he had been
g.ven &C. de- Which occupied him Until
al3eut Il e'-.or,,. Leaving the engine
Standing Nit.. low ire. as he was 10
return 10 sac VILLAGE in six hours. H.
gave The fireman permission TO 20 to
IT, engine hours aad get q little sleep.
IL himself concluded to SEX n rcstau-
raat that ie aal seen, WAS still lighted
UP. where ge-A.i,s. lie would find con
geaial company. rs he was free the
Tex; DAT he eolld sleep then as long
IS ~ pleased
When lie came 10 the station pla5-
form BE- .ar, THE trainmastcrs assist
an Air Roy WHO said 10 him:
You have arrived in time; was go
iaE 10 seud someone to hunt YOU up;
there j, Il telegram here fer you."
~ telegram f4r me-" asked Mattcrn
looking surprised.
Yes; jusl come into the waiting
room
IN moment Nattern held Tie dis
p4-eA in lis trembling hands.
Saeeiai Tic trdinmaster at Del
maze wiz l's-c inform Engineer Nat
I'm tAat j. cli,i is seriously i'll with
Gu4theg.. Hr I.oden Is absent en- a
journey 4I a,ier help lot to be lad.
Ask Naf...l 10 bring physician from
DriMane r.tA lin when he returns
early IN ;lr morning"
My child my poor little Charlie."
greaned i..r father.
There is rcihing you can do but wait
nai hope for lie BEST said Nj. Roy
pi.ilOS0phiraily Lie down and try 10
sleep for = few ltburs. l shall have To
lock up and leave you. Goodnight.
hope everything Will turn out all
right" And with that he went away.
Out in HE darkness stood Mattern:
she storm ragged, and the rain beat in his
face. iIalf-past IL. Was his boy liv-
ing yet? Would medical help be of any
avail the next morning? Full we'll did
he know tie dangerous character of the
illness against which science has not
yet found remedy. Only by quick
and prompt attention can danger be
avcrted.
After few moments Of deep thought
he suddenly turned and fairly ran To
the house of DR.. Sardo and rang the
bel. The Doctor appeared al an open
window above and asked the name of
the caller
Engineer Mattcrn," was the answer.
"My CHILD has diphthcria and is in
great danger
Dr.. Sardo threw the door key out of
fhe window. saying:
Open he door ana come up: In the
meantime viii dress myself
Mattern felt around in the darkness
for the keyhole. and n few moments
natter stood before the Doctor, a young
man. who was comparatively new in
yhe profession.
Give me a description of your ciiild's
condition. so that can take the neces.
s,ssary remedies with me; in diphtllcria
Eases one must use all possible dis
patch. You live here in town.
NO, Doctor answered Mattcrn. and
with hurried breath lie told his story.
You say hat the train does no;
return til the morning." said the Doc
Cor. rather impatiently Why. then
lid you call me at this time of nisht:
What do YOU expect me to DO in the
aeantime."
come with me, Doctor" cried Mat
tern. great beads OF perspiration start
ksg out on his foiehead- You can save