The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1896-07-22

enough to send him aid in time, and he
directed his cries at that. There were
lights in the windows, but no one
seemed to stir to help him, At last
the strain became so great that he
could shout no longer. He clenched
his teeth and resigned himself to de-
spair.
A door slammed. He looked up at
the house, and saw girl running down
the steps. Could he hold out till she
got TO himp "I'll make a good bluff at
It anyway" thought Tom, grimly; and
he held on. He had not strength
enough even TO hurry up his rescuer.
The girl, who was well built, strong
and ruddy, reached his side quickly.
"What are you wanting, sorr?" she
said.
Tom was gasping. Great drops of
sweat ran down his face. His feet
staggered about from place TO place.
His legs were strained past bearing, his
hands perfectly numb. He felt that he
was all but done for.
"Pull out the mani" he muttered,
and then shut his lips tight, as the
wheel almost slipped from his grasp.
The girl looked down, and without
moments hesitation crawled under the
wheel to pull him out.
"Don't go under" Tom gasped, in
agony. i" may drop it,"
Faith, then, you WON'T" came her
voice, without tremor. 60 You'll hold
on bit longer. You won't let it hurt
me-"
That was enough for Tom. He
bent his knees trifle, renewed his grip
on the wheel, leaned his head forward
little; and then a Ready Heavel"
burst out on the night air that made
the street ring. Back flew his head
again, his great knees Strengthened
themselves, and once more wheel,
frame and wagon shot up in the air.
A moment later the girl had pulled the
coal man out of danger.
Then Tom shifted his feet little
back, and with an involuntary gasp let
60. Down came the heavy cart with
crash, but only on the uninjured earth.
Tom thanked the girl as best he
could, and then, utterly at the end of
his strength, sank right down where he
was in the mud and dirt. 1t seemed as
if he could never move again.
"Sure, twas an illigant pull en-
tirelyl" said the Irish girl, admiringly.
"What shall / be dom now?"
Run for the DOCTOR" Tom said,
rousing himself; "or-no. l don't
think it will be necessary"
A car was coming, this one out from
town. 1t was crowded. With great
effort Tom stood on his feet and ran to
the track. "Stop, stopp he cried.
"Some ones hurt!"
The motorman stopped. Tom climbed
on board and slammed open the front
door. Is there doctor here?" he in
quired. A middle-aged man rose from
his seat, and came toward the front of
the car. Tom led the way to the coal
cart. "The team fell on him and hurt
his Leg" he said.
The doctor stopped down and began
to make an examination. A crowd
from the car gathered about the spot.
The girls father was one of the num-
Der, and he eagerly questioned his
daughter about what had happened.
She told him what she knew, and all
who heard her turned eagerly to get
sight of the young fellow who had
borne so much to save the injured
mans life.
But Tom was no longer to be seen.
He liked to do his duty, but he hated
to talk about it. He was on his way
home, and hard enough it was for him
to get there.
Some of the more curious of the
crowd tried their hand at lifting the
cart. Two young men, working to-
gether raised it half foot and dropped
II.
The next morning at breakfast Mr..
Gordon read from the newspaper very
ornamental but substantially correct ac-
count of the strength and bravery of an
unknown young man who had pre-
served Michael DAILY, of Woodhouse's
Coal Company, from instant death.
Mr.. Gordon read well, and his wife and
daughters could hardly breathe till he
had finished.
"O.o.oh!" cried Gertrude, when the
end came, "what splendid man! And
30 modest, too, not letting any one
know who he was! He was real hero,
wasn't he, Tom?"
"Why, no." said Tom, uncon-
cernedly. 81 can't say see anything
especially heroic about it,"
WE'LL" Gertrude exclaimed, turn.
ing to her mother. "Tom is the most
unromantic boyl l don't believe he
! knows what hero isl"
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