The Opelousas courier., 1897-04-17
The Keeper Of Cragie's Cut.

Baxter, the new inspector Of the
Evansburg & Sank Center railroad
was not the OILY person who had beer
astonished at the first sight Of thu
Cragie's bridge and the rock cut be-
yond. "L C. Dolby, Section 27' he
had read in his little book with thu
thumbed blue cover, and he had ex'
pected to see a grizzle-bearded man
with a rough, red face and q stubby
black pipe. For Cragie's was known
to be one of the worst sections on the
line. Its keeper was required to walk
the mile from the end of the long
bridge and through the cut twice every
day, winter and summer, and it often
required q cool head and II vigorous
body to dodge the tramp freights that
Numbered 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 II. He had found
everything i'll tho best Of order, not a
bolt loose nor q spike gone and he felt
after the manner Of new inspectors,
like complimenting the vigilance Of
the keeper.
els L. C. Dolby in?" he asked when
he reached the keepers house on the
hill.
eyes, sir, will you walk in?" asked
the r~osy-cheekcd girl who came to the
door.
He stepped into the ~neatest of little
sitting-rooms. There were flowers in
the windows and a CHEEKY fire on the
hearth in front of which a lazy tabby
cat yawned a good-humored greeting.
"My name is Baxter, the new ill.,
spector, aud I wish to see L. G. Dolby,
the keeper of 81" he said.
The girl flushed slightly. He OBJ
served that her hair was cut short like
a boys and that her chin was firm aud
sharp.
81 am the keeper, she answered;
'my name is Lettie &. Dolby and
I've had the place since father was in
jured last winter"
"That's right, and as good as a man
she is, tool" came a gruf voice from
the other room.
Lettie flushed again.
sits father" she whispered ;"won't
you step in and see him? He's very
glad to have visitors"
Baxter had not yet recovered from
bis shock of surprise at finding that
slim, blue-eyed girl who stood be-
lore him was really keeper of Craigie's
cut, and he allowed himself to be led
INTO the other room. There, at a
Dig, bright window, sat a man in q
rocking chair. His face was of the
wilderness that comes from be-
ng always indoors, and his lap was
spread with a plaid comforter. He
ookel prematurely old and worn.
"How are you?" he asked. sid
get up, only" and he motioned to
ais crippled legs with a faint smile.
"That's all right" responded Bax-
alphabetically; "keep your
And Baxter, sitting there, heard
Lettie explain the condition OF section
y, and make her reports as promptly
md very much more clearly than any
If the keepers he had ever met. She
poke in a frank, almost boyish
way, and she understood her words as
yell as Baxter himself did. Her
ather sat watching her quietly, adding
word here and there. Presently the
lock in the further room struck three,
nd Lettie started to her feet.
TITS time for me to make the
ounds Of ts4asection." she said, and a
aoment later Baxter saw her little
orm, VEapped in n stout, dark coat,
disappear over the brow Of the hill
oward the tracks.
As he looked back lie found Dolby
'atching him %intently. When he
aught his eye the cripple leaned for
'ard and touched Bakers knee.
"There isn't q pluckier girl be-
ST. Paul and Montana buttes."
e said, ''even if I do say it; who
houldn't?"
II don't see how she can manage I
section" replied Baxter. 1
''That's what | say, exclaimed Dol. +,
= !; tits wonderful" and his pinched !
ice lighted up with a smile that was :
eautiful to see. "It would go hard I
it'll all OF US if it wasn't for Lettie." {
"HoW did a girl happen 40 be ap- :
ointed to such a place, anyway?" 4
"Shs's deserved it." Dolby an /
Fered, energeticaliy "she deserved '
They ain't many people that 8
4 E-
low all the facts excsp' the superin-
ndent-he knows, and he says Let i