The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1901-01-29

admitted. but be said, i didn't hardly
think you would run your engine over
me, Mr.. Harris" John Peck. as
liver exclaimed the engineer, the tears
starting to his eyes. mo other boy
could have done such a courageous act
and faced such danger" BY this time
the train men had gathered around
him, each trying to get his hand When
the passengers realized the awful dan
ger and how it had been averted, they
insisted that John should be brought
into the train, and calls for "John
Peck" rang out from men, women and
children. But John refused to be made
hero Of, saying that he must return
home Immediately, as his mother had
witnessed his peril and would be fran
tic with anxiety till she saw that he
was safe. Several gentlemen declared
that they would accompany him home
Among them was one Of the officials Of
the road, who was aboard the train. as
1t was not safe for him to cross the
trestle-work and bridge alone. after ail
that he had gone through. Let Us pre-
cede them and take a peep into Johns
home
Mrs Peck took up her work again.
pauslng occasionally to look out after
the 1.-THE young figure as it hurried
down the lane. "How foolish I am"
she said; Il believe I am growing ner-
vous. Nothing could harm him. I
know. There is never less than half
hour between trains and generally
more" AS he neared the far END Of
the bridge, she forgot her anxiety, and
with her eyes on her work knew moth
ing Of her boys danger till the pierre
Ing shrek Of the engine caused her
heart to give one great bound and then
to lie like lead In her bosom. How she
reached the porch she never knew, but
there she stood with Nell, baby and her
husband. who had been brought to the
scene by Nell's agonized shrek. As
they stood there watching the grim
monster bearing down upon their loved
one, each breathed prayer for his
rescue "Oh, why don't he turn and
rum? groaned Nell. But neither father
nor mother could speak They saw
that the train was stacking its speed,
but it seemed impossible for It to be
stopped In time. They saw John drop
down on his knees; then Mrs. Peck
could bear the sight no longer, and,
covering her face with her hands, she
fell to the floor in a dead swoon.
The next instant the train stood still
on the track Nell saw the men get off
and run toward John; she saw him
lifted to HIS feet and wave his hand
toward home. Nell had no time to
indulge in mysteries, which would have
been a great relief to her overtaxed
nerves. She could not even sit down
for a moment The shock might kill
her mother, and, hurrying as fast as
her weakened limbs would carry her,
she brought restoratives, which she
and her father applied. Chahng the
cold hand. she called again and again,
John is not hurt, mamma; he has
waved his hand to us to let US know
that he is all right" When her son
entered the room Mrs. Peck seemed to
realize for the first time that he was
really alive, but It was many weeks be-
fore she was able to leave her room.
The snow-white hair which supplanted
the RICH brown braids, and crowns 5
face still young. John often says proud
~ is worn expressly for him. The rail-
road official ssid to Mr.. Peck at part
ing: "Y0ur son 's quite a hero. y
courage and presence of mind have
saved the railroad company nary thou-
sands Of dollars He Will be suitable
rewarded" -He Is no more 3 hero.
aow Than he las always been an
Vercd Mr Peek. III John had neg
iealed 10 ia his duty to-day J believe
il would have been ihe afs eme, That
evening a messenger brought John "a
elegant gold watch and chain eltt
4 from grateful passengers, and as lhs
$50 express crossed he bridge ana
treste every window was uAsow1 omen
and handkerchief and hats waved
many a good-by 10 the hero b the
day.
After a few weeks letter came
from tine president OF the road, asking
Mr.. Peck and John to meet him in Gin
cinnati. as he wished to have an inter-
view with them During this interview
1t was agreed that John should enter a
certain school to at him for a position
which the great railroad man seemed to
think him so well calculated to fin. In
the busy, useful life which followed
John Peck filed many positions Of
honor and trust. and found many op-
portunities for great and noble deeds.
but he still found time to attend to
the minor duties Of life which came to
him every day. The boy who neglects
the present opportunities and waits for
a chance to do some great deed viii.
/ probably. be absent or tardy when the
opportunity for greatness arrives
Maud Maxwell DilloW
He'd Examined Carefully.
do YOU notice any change in Dunn