The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1902-07-11
ION THE H0MKNARD YRAGKA
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| tated. Then they turned and scrambled
down after the bounding form Of the
injured man and disappeared in the
| bushes.
The stroller watched their flight with
great satisfaction. Then he turned and
looked up the track. Far ahead he
could see the boy wildly waving the
red robe, and still farther ahead was
the steam crowned black dot that he
knew was the coming locomotive. Then
he heard the shril Shrek Of the far
away whistle and knew that the en-
gineer had seen the signal and was
applying the brakes. In a moment the
train had rushed by the boy, but it's
impetus was rapidly slackening and the
huge mass of glistening iron, groaning
and painting, came to a dead stop
hundred yards from the lifted rail.
Then the boy came dashing up with
his hand outstretched.
Have they hurt you?' he cried.
I'm all right" said the stroller, as
he grasped the lads hand, But, say,
never tinched when that ruffian held
the gun on you. You're good stuff"
And ne srasped the boys hand again.
| Il thought sure he'd nail me-" said
the lad. What made him miss?"
Il tossed him an inshoot with rail-
way spike over the ear said the
stroller grimly. Il guess haven't for
gotten all my boyhond cunning. He's
down there in the bushes with a bro
ken head"
ana then the engineer came running
up, followed by the conductor and the
tram crew, with group of passengers
trailing in the rear.
The trouble was soon explained and
everybody insisted on shaking hands
OF l1,, I, I. IN
the former stoutly declared that the lad
was the only hero of the affair. And the
train hands went down the embank-
ment and brought up the wounded
Wfecker, whose comrades had deserted
him and fled. And the battered rufflan
was securely Gagged in the baggage car,
and when this was done everybody
stood about again discussing the Incl
dent and praising the boy and his
companion
And presently one Of the passengers,
tall and dignified gentleman with a
little spr1nkling of gray in his close cut
mustache, came up behind the stroller
and gently touched him on the shoulder
AS the stroller turned the tall man
caught his hand in a firm prig and drew
him little away from the crowd.
JIM he softly said.
why, George!" -.
There was a moments silence as the
two men looked in each others eyes,
Then dull, red surged across the
stroller's face and he tried to draw
away his hand. But the tall man held
him fast. -
You're coming home, Jim!' he gently
said. =
AS the stroller hesftated and half
turned away his eyes caught the glare
of the boy and the boy smiled back at
him and nodded. 1t seemed like an
answer to the brothers question.
Yes, said the stroller, gently, I'm
coming home"
Our mother IS waiting for you," said
the tall man, as he put his hand affec-
t1onately on the stroller's shoulder And
they they moved a little farther away
and stood hand in hand in earnest con-
Versation. And when the boy looked
their way again the stroller was beck
onlng to him. He came forward and the
tall man took his hand.
My boy" he said, in grave and
kindly way, my brother here has ia
vorably impressed me not only with
your courage, but also with your wor-
thy ambition to rise in the world. r
mean to help you If you will let me.
Finish your vacation and when you re-
turn to Chicago come at once to my of :
f1ce am quite sure can find place
that will. suit you for the present, and
at the same time give you an oppor-
tunity to prove your worth and your
fitness for better things. Here is my
card"
A little later when the train steamed
away. the passengers at the windows
and on the platform cheered the lad by
the track side, and on the very lass
platform Of all, the platform Of the pri-
waite car, the two brothers, side by side,
waved him an adieu. Then, when the
p - h n rY,,sN g. % lol Il -
he turned his happy face toward home.