St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-06-11
DOWN THE TOBOdGAN SLIDE.

chair up to the old fashioned fireplace
between her son and daughter Hope
he won't come by the new road. The
bridge over the ravine isn't just in
proper shape yet"
Listen! There are sleigh BELLS" in
terrupted George.
Its not father" volunteered Mary.
"He took the old harness with the
string bells"
mo-" said George, winkinG al bis
mother; ''those bells belong To Fred
Watson, and you know it. Who is
leading in the race now, sis-Ed Simp-
son or Fred"
Mother, make him behave" plead
ed the girl.
ooh, George, don't be such tease!
Open the door and help Fred put the
horse up
"Well, l am betting two to one on
Simpson, Mary. He is a poor starter
but he'll finish strong" laughed the
young man as he reached for his hat.
If Mary heard, she made no reply.
In moment he returned. isis" he
shouted, Erred has the colt hitched up
to his new cutter, and he wants to
know if you will go over to Thomp-
sons"
"Not as far as Thompson's," answer
ed Mrs. Muir. ut is too windy and
cold, but if Fred has plenty of wraps
you may drive down toward the vii
lage and come home with father"
The young people were soon speeding
along the road. Near the ravine they
came upon Ed Simpson, dragging to-
boggan. Ed was passionately fond of
the sport and generally went to the
hills on the nights when Fred Watson
was at the Muir home. Mary had
great fear of tobogganing and would
not share his pleasure.
Fred Watson and Ed Simpson, ac-
cording to village gossip, were both
counting Mary. Mr.. Muir was said to
look with favor upon Fred. Simpson,
on the surface, was more the friend of
George than the lover of Mary. He
had come up to Maysville from the city
two years before to start small COM
mission store and was well liked by
the farmers Of the community. Fred
was the son Of rich Farmer Watson
and did little else than drive a good
horse.
Timid little Mary, if she had any
preference, hid it successfully. And
both men had vowed to have definite
answer soon.
"Going to the hills on a blowy night
like this?" called Mary as they passed
Simpson.
"Yes," came the good natured reply.
at takes worse weather than this to
spoil sport for me-"
The cutter sped on, and Ed plodded
cheerily along the road, deep in
thought.
Suddenly the jingle of bells ahead
stopped. Looking up, Ed saw that
some one was struggling to jump out
of the cutter. 1t was a girls figure. In
stinctively Simpson rushed forward,
dragging the toboggan behind him. AS
he came nearer he heard her gasp:
"Please-go. Drive like mad by the
old road and 1 will wait here and call
to father should he come from the 9th
er side"
"No Mary" answered Watson, II
will not go and leave you here"
whats up?" cried Ed, hurrying to
the side of the cutter.
ooh, Mr.. Simpson, the new bridge
has given way in the center. There
see, it has carried away the lights on
the other end. If father should come
this way, he would drive straight to
death. Mr.. Watson, please hurry! Oh,
dow
Miss Mary" interrupted Ed, "let me
stay here and you drive round with
Mr.. Watson. IT'S too cold for you to
stand here"
"No, no! l would only be an added
burden for the horse. Oh, why don't
you drive on, Mr. Watson"
"There is the light of a rig down at
the second bend" cried Ed excitedly,
pointing across the ravine. Then, with
out another word, he seized the tobog-
gan and rushed for the edge Of the hill.
Watson, realizing that time was pre-
cious, whipped up his horse and made
for the old road around the ravine. The
distance was fully two miles, but the
rig on the other side was fully half a
mile from the bridge, coming slowly
He might make it.
"You are too late, Watson" yelled
Simpson. "Stay here with Mary.
will go down the ravine."
Watson was out of hearing, but Ma
ry Muir took in the situation at a
glance.
"Mr. Simpson," she called, running
after him, you must not! See! The
wreck has fallen right across the foot
of the slide, and you will rush to youl
death. Please don't go that way"
81 must. There is a slight opening
there to the right, and l can make it il
the moonlight Besides, it's your IA
Their or me, and can take the chance
for"-he hesitated a second, then spoke
hurriedly-"Watson will never catcl
him in time, but will catch him at the
foot of the first turn if all is we'll"
Cant we CALI? she asked appeal
ingly.
"No. The wind is too strong from