Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-02-06
The Story Teller.
''SEC7ION 27."
THE KEEPER OF CRAGIE's CUT

THE KEEPER OF CRAGlE'S CUT
Baxter, the new inspector of the
Evansburg & Sauk Centre railroad,
was not the only person who had been
astonished at the sight of the keeper
of Cragie's bridge and the rock cut
beyond. "L. c. Dolby, Section 27,"
he had read in his little book with the
tkumbed blue cover, and he had ex-
pected to see a grizzle-bearded man
with rough, red face and a stubby
black pipe. For Cragie was known to
be one of the worst sections on the
line. Its keeper was required to walk
mile from the end of the long bridge
and through the cut twice every day,
winter and summer, and it often re-
uuired a cool head and vigorous
body to dodge the tramp freights that
thundered back and forth with seem
ing disregard for time cards and run
ming rules.
The new inspector had come down
from Cragie's, walking the whole
length of Section 81. He had found
everything in the best of order, not q
bolt loose nor a spike gone, and he
felt, after the manner Of new inspec-
tors, like complimenting the vigilance
of the keeper.
"Is L. G. Dolby in ?" he asked, when
he reached the keepers house on the
hill.
eyes, sir; will you walk in ?" asked
the rosy checked girl who came to the
door.
He stepped into the neatest of little
sitting rooms. There were flowers in
the windows and CHEEKY fire on the
hearth, in front of which lazy tabby
cat yawned a good humored greeting.
"My name is Baxter, the new in
spector, and I wish to see l.. G. Dol
by, the keeper of o." he said.
The girl flushed slightly. He OBJ
served that her hair was cut short like
a boys, and that her chin was firm
and sharp.
1T am the keeper" she answered ;
"my name is Lettie G. Dolby, and I've
had the place since father was injured
last winter"
"That's right, and as good as man
she is too," came a gruff voice from
the outer room.
Lettie flushed again.
"It's father" she whispered "won't
you step in and see him? He's very
glad to have visitors"
Baxter had not yet recovered from
his shock of surprise at finding that
the slim blue-eyed girl who stood before
him was really keeper of Cragie's Cut,
and he allowed himself to be led into
the other room. There, at a big,
bright window, sat man in rocking
chair. His face was of the chalky
whiteness that comes from being al
ways indoors, and his lap was spread
with plaid comforter. He looked
prematurely old and worn.
"How are you?" he asked. "1'd
get up only" and he motioned to his
crippled legs with faint smile.
"That's all right" responded Bax-
ter, alphabetically "keep your seat"
And Baxter, sitting there, heard Let,
tie explain the condition of Section
27, and make her reports as promptly
and very much more clearly than any
of the keepers he had ever met. She
spoke in a frank, almost boyish way,
and she understood her work as well
as Baxter himself did. Her father sat
watching her quietly, adding a word
here and there. Presently the clock
in the further room struck three, and
Lettie started to her feet.
"It's time for me to make the rounds
of the section," she said and a mo-
mept later Baxter saw her little form
wrapped in a stout, dark cloak, dis
appear over the brow of the hill
toward the tracks.
As he looked back he found Dolby
watching him intently. When he
caught his eye, the cripple leaned for
ward and touched Baxter's knee.
"There isn't pluckier girl between
St. Paul and Montana buttes," he
said; "even if I do say it, who
shouldn't"
II don't see how she can manage
the section," replied Baxter.
"That's what say" exclaimed Dol.
by; "it's wonderful )" and his pinched
face lighted up with smile that was
beautiful to see. "It would 20 hard
with us all if it wasn't for Lettie."
"How did girl happen to be ap-
pointed to such place, anyway ?"
"She deserved it," Dolby answered,
energetically ;"sbe deservedit. There
amt many people that know all the
facts excep' the superintendent--he
knows, and he says Lettie can be keep
er as long as she wants to.
"Course you remember the big biz
zard we had last winter-the one that
showed in Evansburg and Brockton and
Collinville, and killed all the cattle on
the Puddin' Bottom Ranch. Well, it
struck the Cragie country, too. Came
up over the hill from back of the house
early in the morning, and long before
10 O'Clock there wasn't fence to be
seen in the country. Lettie's mother
said I'd better not so down to the cut.
~ Ill. l., pt,f