Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1896-08-20

than anything he had ever possessed.
How fond he became of it! The self
denial, hard work and study he had
given to get it were all repaid hun
dredfold when he sped over the road
with the bright, steel machine beneath
him. He never seemed to tire of it's
company. When not riding he was
working over it, polishing the nickel Or
wiping the dust from the enamel. The
summer was nearly over before he real
lied it. The days had sped away from
him as the road had under his wheel.
The amount he owed his father
seemed to grow larger as the time came
near to pay it, although he had raised
as much as half of it. The thought Of
this money added a deeper gloom to
the landscape as he wheeled down the
road at the side of the railroad track
to the. depot on a dark day in the early
part of September.
He noticed particularly that day the
long curve the railroad made to save
a grade on the opposite side of the val
ley. The highway, by descending a
steep hill, saved this detour and fully
one-fourth of the distance.
When he reached the station, which
was small, unpretentious building,
he did not enter into conversation with
the station master, as was his custom,
but began reading the notices and
studying time tables.
''What's the matter?'' the station
agent said. "You seem out Of Sorts"
ooh, nothing" Charles replied, and he
began to whistle, but it sounded forced.
and he soon stopped.
The agent took up the tune where
sCharles had left it, but he, too, suddenly
paused 81
':.Goodness gracious!" he:exclaimed.
81 forgot that key. I must go TO the
house for it. You'll keep your eyes on
things, won't you? Twill only be gone
a minute!" ..5.., ., :< - -
The 'agent's:house was almostin sight
of the depot, and he started on run to
get the key. .->. ~r'' .---.2.&'
Charles looked at the depot-at it's
tiny office, its few seats for passengers.
it's view of the tracks stretching away
in the distance, with a new feeling of
pride, for were they pot left in his
charge? -; Z -#,&
Suddenly this feeling was followed
by a sense of esponsibility. Then, with
out being able to account for it, this
gave place to one Of dread. AS the last
feeling stole over him there came to
his ears the heavy, dull rumble of an
approaching train.
Nearer and nearer it came, but there
was nothing in this of itself to cause
alarm ,sfor he knew No. IS well. 1t al
ways went through without stopping.
So he stepped toward the door TO see
it pass once again. AS he did 50, the
telegraph Instrument began clicking
loudly. He paid no attention 10 this,
as he did not understand telegraphy
and had often heard it make as much
noise when the sound had no import
Standing on the platform, he. watched
the freight train rumble. majestically
by. A brakeman whom he knew waved
his hand to him, and he waved back in
response. Car after car passed. until at
last came the caboose with it's tiutter-
ing flags. ..
The long train had hardly crossed the
last switch, and the click of the rails,
as the trucks of the cars passed over
them, still sounded in his ears, when
he heard his name called in an agonized
voice from the station. He rushed into
the room. There stood the agent, bis
face CHASTITY white, with one hand
upon the keyboard of the telegraph
as if frozen to it.
@sOrders to hold No. 1S.-Got back too