Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-07-21
.THE RED SIGNAL.

Of course be running at full speed.
The snow was still coming down in
binding Sheets 1t seemed as If the
storms fury had increased, If that
Were possible.
Not line OF rail was visible, but
only the sOftly-hcaped ridges where
the wheels Of the last train that passed
had outlined the track.
Robert set out with frantic energy,
blowing his way through the damp
masses, struggling over the uneven
surfaces Of the ties, and slipping and
tlOundcring to such degree that 1t
seemed as If lie made no progress at
all.
His lantern shed such faint CLEAN
that he was afraid. no matter what
his effort, the engineer would not be
able to see tia mere spark through
the whirling snow that envelOped it..
He Ind started none too soon, for,
with his senses painfully strained. he
was certain he felt the first vibrations
of the on-coming wheels. 1t was like
Il spur lie did not need, for he was
already putting forth his utmost
strength.
1t was, indeed, the vibration sent
along the hidden rails. for presently
he heard distant mutficd rumble as
the train crossed bridge. Inches
seemed of value in this crisis, and l.e
plunged forward rs many more steps
as he dared before taking stand to
make his dcspairing signal.
AS the sounds approached and be-
came distinctly audible, he planted
himself firmly between the rails and
waited for the first break Of the head
light through the white storm to swing
his red warning.
Nearer came the train, flying along
at thrObbing speed and now almost
upon him, its painting breath echOing
from the deep sides of the rocky cut
ut either hand. Then its great head
light cleaned vaguely upon him like n
pale moon.
Robert swung his lantern in wide,
slow circle Mt first, and then faster
and faster rs the engines glowing
eyes became more and more distinct.
There was no answering whistle.
They did not see it.
He leaped over the rail into ditch
alongside, and from that scrambled to
the opposite bank. screaming and fling
ing his arms wildly about as If his
puny voice could be heard above all
that roar.
No answer vet.
The full rays of the headlight were
on him, and the engine nearly abreast,
when with final vehement swing he
let 60 the handle of his lantern and
hurled it headlong into the window
Of the engineers cab. AS he did so,
he sank helpless upon the ground.
In second there was n terrific
shrek of the whistle, and Robert
could hear the grinding Of the brakes.
That he was not too late, that the
train would be saved, were his last
thoughts as lie became unconscious.
lights about him, Of voices and of
somebody trying to lift him up and
stand him OH his feet
wake up Robert. What's the mat
ter? Where is your lantern?' said a
kindly voice.
1t was Sandy Odds, the fireman.
Was 1t all dream. No, for the
snow still fell, and he was chilled and
wet and weary.
"The express:" lie gaspcd.
"She stopped with the tip Of her nose
just Mt the derrick" was answered,
in the same questioning tone.
"Why-why didn't she whistler"
asked Robert, fit to cry from exhaust
ion, and still dazed and excited.
Sandy shook him little, and tried
again to get him on his feet.
"She did. But try to stand up, Rob.
ert. We want to be getting home"
Robert tried and partially succeeded.
THAT'S right. Brace up and We'll
carry YOU back to the train. You're
clean tuckered out. Wen tell you all
about it when you're thawed out"
AS soon as Robert had staggered
| forward few steps the life seemed
to return to his limbs. He refused to
DC NuIllCu, Jul iSN u SohihouC dccact
him at either side.
"You spoiled that cab window, Rob-
ert," said Sandy. land the engineer
got n blac:: eye, too. You needn't say
anything, but it's my private opinion
he was asleec."
II whrled my light till I saw they
weren't going to pay any attention
to 1t, and then I slung 1t at them"
said Robot.
I'VE know you did. The engineer NJ
lowed he saw the light, and that when
he whistled down brakes the brake
chain snapped, and flew up and hit
him on the cheek. But laughed, be-
cause I found that red lantern Of
yours smashed all to fiinters in the
cab" -. ,i'-..'
Robert had never appreciated before
how comfortable warmth and kindness
were, for both waited him when they
reached their own caboose.
The train men made bunk for him
until the express had got ON it's way,
where they made him lie and rest.
They looked after his clicker for him,
got it aboard. and when they reached
the home station helped him to his
mothers door.
Roberts friend, Sandy Odds, had
suspected the. truth. The engineer Of
the express afterward confessed that,
feeling half sick that night, and chilled
with the storm, he had taken n drink
to liven him up little, and the result
had been the drowsiness that had
nearly cost him not only his own life,
but the lives of all aboard his train.
When that red lantern came crash
ing through the glass into his face,
he had almost automatically pulled the
whistle for downbra.;es. which had
brought them to timely halt.-Golden
Days.
| A New Fad.
In the new fad, fungus carving. n