Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-07-26
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5 The RED SIGNAL 5
; By Yrs CLARA DOTr BAJEs. :
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II err" cried Robert ID Douglas rig,n
We've got news of a wreck and I've GOT
to go down with a clicker."
But, Robert, was going to have hot
mullins, and they're not light vet,
You're two hours early"
give me a piece of bread. then and
some cold meat. I'm sorry for the
mullins, but L can't wait"
I'm sorry too" said Mrs. Dous las.
rising and laying aside her knitting,
1 had planned ham and eggs besides .
Too bad; but the boys will be ready
in half an hour, and 1 must be on
hand. Ugh!"
And he shrugged his shoulders, as if
in anticipation of the cold. hard task
before him, as he followed his mother
from the coy sitting-room into the
pantry.
give me whatever there is ready"
he said, .'and I'll put a crust in nv
pocket. We may be out pretty much all
night"
What was the accident? ?" she asked.
moving back and forth as she placed
the things upon the table.
"A broken axle and big freight gone
to smash. It's in a bad place, too, down
in the Thread valley, where the road is
very crooked"
I'm afraid it's going to snow"
u know it is-it's showing already.
But you know it grows warmer when it
begins to snow"
Not with a northeast wind like
this"
Don't you worry, mother. I'll wrap
up well, and I'm tough as a bear" he
said, laughing gayIy.
His rudy face, clear eyes and wity
figure bore out his assertion. But it
was quite as much his CHEEKY courage
that gave him strength as 10 was hard.
ness Of muscle or stoutness of frame.
I'll make you a good cup of tea, Rob.
ert," said Mrs. Douglas, as he sat down
10 what seemed to her a cherries meal,
a cup of tea being to her the very es-
sence of comfort.
ooh, never mind; this is all right
he answered, heartily, as he helped him.
self with the eager and uudiscriminat.
ing appetite Of youth.
But in a few minutes a steaming and
fragrant cup was beside his plate.
Don't be anxious If I'm not back
till morning" he said. "I'll ask Tom
Carpenter to stop in on his way home
10 give you the latest news. Good-by.
mother" as he rose from his chair to
60. Cook yourself a good supper, and
have Anna Odds come and stay with
you, so you won't be lonesome"
Mrs. Douglas watched his free, young
step as be went down the walk 10 the
railway station, which was very near,
and in full sight.
mo mother has a better boy" she
said TO herself, as she wiped the tears
that were sure to I'LL her eyes whenever
Robert left her for more than his usual
daily absence.
The house where Robert and his
mother lived was very humble, yet |
coy, clean and attractive. His small
wages as an assistant telegraph opera,
tor was all they had to live upon, but
his mothers prudence and his steady |
Industry made that sufficient for their
wants.
When Robert got 10 the station, he
found the wrecking train about to
start. He was 10 open and operate an
additional telegraph office at or near
the scene Of the disaster, for the pur-
pose Of working trains past the OBJ
struction.
The accident had happened II miles
or more away, at a point where the
road followed the tortuous winding OF
the river Thread. The bluffs along /
the line there were very steep, and
there were several bridges across the
nssvand turbulent little stream. There
could hardly have been a worse place
for an accident, as the approaches
either way were around sharp curves
When the rescue train, with its pom
ierous appliances for hosting and pry- |
ng and lifting, had reached the spot,
Q was Roberts duty to climb tele-
graph pole, make the necessary attach
nsnts with wires and stamps, and TO
establish his office az its foot.
He improvlsed a rude shelter with
ONE rails and a blanket, made a chair
Tor himself with few stones heaped to-
-ether. set up his instrument, and was
eady for duty.
IT, was Saturday night, and but few
rains except the regular night eX-
press were running.
The road had a double track along
hat division. and the disabled freight
vas on the right hand, or the one taken 1
~ the down trains. while the relief cars
we're on the up track. When one Of the
10 trains was due, this one would !
witch of and let it pass.
Robert Kept up communication with
he nearest stations at either hand !
md the work Of opening the road went
IN very satisfactorily {
1t promised 10 be less difficult than {
ad been at first apprehended, and II
egan 70 look as il by midnight both S
ines would be clear.
A snowstorm had set in with blind L
~ fury. The men who were actively '
I'll ala mt mind IL 50 much; but