Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-03-17
he soon came back shivering and say

| wind has switched around 10 the nortf
il is freezing fast. the platform is lik
glass and it is showing like creaiion!
Just then there was a queer rat
Ting outside, and, going back, Wilco,
turned the knob of the door and tn
fierce wind burst ii wide open.
There was not man in the crow
who was not startled at the sight tina
met his gaze. I. for my own part. do no
hesitate to say that, at the first glance
| thought it was the spirit of poo
Johnny Swift; but it did not take u
| long to leran that it was the daring
fellow himself
His overalls and thick dreadnaugh
Jacket were frozen until they were lik'
sheet-iron garments. weighing hin
down. He was completely covered with
the feathery snow. and his face looked
pinched and bloodless.
$50 nearly perishing with cold was HI
that he could not speak, and giving one
look al us all he lifted his hands up to
ward the glowing stove, and then just
sank down senseless upon the platform
I'VE all took him in hand and put
him through vigorous course of treat
ment, | assure you.
I'VE rubbed him vigorously, wrapped
him in hot blankets, fed him with
nourishing broths, and, in an hour OF
two. he was able TO tell his story.
lie ran into Nosuch all right, and
Just in time TO intercept the oncoming
express. which had six heavily loaded
passenger coaches.
1.-THE assistant superintendent of the
road-who knew much more about
bookkeeping Than he did about engin-
eering-happened to be on board, and
at once assumed the authority.
"He listened to Johnny's statement
that the track was settled, and that in
one place the engine tipped and barely
passed safely over.
"'Oh, nonsensel' exclaimed the young
ofiicial that was your imagination. of
course. You must go right back to
North Nosuch Immediately. We shall
nave to carry by tomorrow, and that
engine win be needed at that end of the
road. In half an hours time IL may be
impossible TO CO.
''That was quite true. but Johnny
said again:
"'I do not believe il is possible to go
now; and they understand the situation
on that side, so there is no danger i'm
pending 10 life or property
"'If you are afraid to go. win send
Frank declared this man. dressed in a
little brief authority.
Frank has a family. and have not.
replied John Swift, stepping up upon
the turn-table, and in ten minutes was
on his way back.
"He went slowly into the water now,
as that course gave him the hope of
saving himself II the engine went down.
lie was not half way across when he felt
the engine tipping, and pulling the
whistle valve wide open. he jumped far
out into the dark. cold water.
"The wind, the escaping steam and
the agitation of the water as the great
engine fell upon its side. confused him
so much that when he reached the bank
he knew not which way TO turn to find
Jimmy's shanty. aud seeing in the dis
iance the lights in tire little cluster or
houses about the station he made the
best of his way toward them: but his
frozen. heavy clothes made it hard trav-
cling. ard IT was with the utmost diff
rn,ty that he reached them al last. He
would have given out when within few
rods. had he not been encouraged by the
lights streaming out of the waiting
room door when Wilcox opened il 10 90
In.
"'But thought | should come out all
right, because it is the 25th Of
March, added Johnny.
"'How is that?'" asked Wilcox.
"And the brave young fellow replied.
n a half shamefaced way:
"'0h. | had my horoscope read once,
when a child. and was told that,
although | should be often in great
,eril. nothing bad would happen to me
IN an odd day of an odd month, so. of
,ourse. fellow can't help thinking of
t.
johnny, as soon as he was able TO be
ut. was given the position Of engineer
IN construction train. which was used |
u changing the roadbed above high
water mark. and as soon as the Arcturus |
vas out of the shop. he was promoted to
'e her engineer"
He was killed the 18th Of Feb |
nary" said Charlie. looking again at |
he paper. which he still held in his |
land.
There gay be nothing in it. and
gain there may be-" said our caller. as
e pegged away on his crutch; "but you I
will find most railroad men just little
pit to think Of those things. they have
o many dangerous experiences and /
arrow escapes. Golden DAYS.
Another Green.
1T is true that a poet finds inspira-
ion on every hand" said young Qua
rain. TO his admiring wife. "Tbe sim