Rocky Ford enterprise., 1901-09-13


got q thump In the head which put
him out OF the business. He's gone
clean daft. But the smash seems to
run in his hcad-just watch while /
nag him."
Tho man was about to slink past US
when Ross tapped him on the shoulder
and suddenly asked. whats the shift.
'Brick'!"
The old trninman Strengthened up In
nm instant: his eyes flashed and look
ing up and down the line he swung nm
imaginary lantern and called loudly
and clearly:
Pull the pin on 5osS and git out o
herc-speciai's right on US. right on
us-right on u-s-s-s." and as suddenly
a. he had spoken his head dropped
and he slouched on muttcring. Right
on US, right on u-s-s-s-s"
Did my ears deceive me. hTnt poor
unfortunate had said something abou,
$685. He must know something
about It. To the surprise Of my friend
dashed after Kelley. Grasping him
by the shoulder. I am afraid rather
roughly. as he looked up to me with n
scared expression. + demanded:
What do you know about 5o55!
Where II she-tcll me mnn7"
He stared at mo vacantly. passed
his hand over his forehead as II trying
to recoliect something. then shook his
head and walked away moaning. shes
right on us. right on u-s-s-s."
Iappealed to Ross for further In
formation, questioned all the train
men who stopped ut the station. the
section men and every one connected
with the railroad. but elected only the
scrap OF information that the accident
which cost poor Kelley his reason took
place at n siding about two miles be-
low that station: that the siding had
since been abandoned and the rails
taken up. and that the accident .e-
suited in but little damage to the roll
ceeded after a nhour's delay. I was
forced to come to the conclusion that
Kelley had mentioned the number by
accident-but It certainly was
strange coincidence.
My vacation was drawing to a close.
and II was on my last day that Nellie
and I strolled down the line both on
business and pleasure bent, for. for
some reason. which I cannot explain.
was anxious to visit the place where
the accident occurred. We found 1.
without much trouble. for some Of the
old ties were still in place. II had not
been siding as the term is technically
understood. but spur track ending
abruptly upon the brink OF deep.
wooded gorge.
Nellie and I sat ourselves down to
have last long talk. II matters not
what we, or rather what I. said for
did the most of the talking. Nellie's
part was mostly bushes and mono
syllables as she amused herself with
tossing pebbles down into the tree
tops far below.
She had found a large. white stone
and was looking at 1t intently when
ventured to ask:
Nellie, II. that stone was my heart.
me, everything am, what would you
do with it?"
"oh. 1 might do that" and, suiting
the action to the word. she took It
from my hand and threw It far out. 1t
rustled the leaves in its fall and struck
with a peculiar hollow sound. which
echoed and re-echoed in the gorge.
What was that?" she asked in as
tonishment. Perhaps there is house
down there-let's go and see: besides,
I'm thirsty and there may be spring
down there"
And. not waiting for my assent. she
started to Chamber down the steep
sides of the gorge. and. Of course.
followed with a sigh and protests. but
to no avail.
Perhaps we can find your heart"
she said.
She paused moment in the descent.
and | thought she never looked more
handsome. framed in the greenery in
graceful poise. when she exclaimed: