Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1907-11-08

STEADY, Steady, Steady, There!"
family grew to depend upon her, for
the very faintest whistle could not
escape her sharp ears; she seemed
unconsciou5ly TO be always on the
alert.
Margaret was a queer child, used
from babyhood to roaming the coun-
try by herself. She knew every foot |
of the ground, and it was as natural |
for her to ride a horse as it was to
walk and talk Her own horse, Daisy, |
happened to be born on her birthday, |
a circumstance which delighted Mar
garet. The Conleys made great holi-
days of birthdays, and papa not only
allowed her to have the naming of the
pretty colt, but presented her as a
birthday present to his little daughter.
How Margaret learned to ride she
never knew Once on Daisy's back
everything seemed easy. and many
canter they had in the summer days
down the long stretch of road that
led to town.
Margaret was never allowed to go
to town by herself, though she was
II years old, and Daisy could have
carried her quite safely; but she
would often ride for a mile or more
down the road Just to pretend" She
usually golloped as far as the flag sta
ton and turned Daisy loose for a lit
tie browse in certain green pasture
nearby while she went inside. Here
she looked at the clock hanging just
above the door, though she had to
get on a bench to see 1t at all. Then
she consulted the schedule nailed
upon the wall, and then she waited
for the passing of two or three trains.
nodding and waving to the conductors
and engineers, to whom the child'a
figure was a familiar landmark Then
she would call Daisy. and would trot
back home by the same road. all pre-.
tending that they had been to town.
On certain afternoon there was
! company expected by the late train
for tea, and Margaret and Daisy went
ahead OF the carriage to welcome the
guests Il was just sunset when they
r reached the flag station and Margaret
! could see the engine of the train from
town poking its nose over the brow
{ of distant hill. At the top IL would
r commence the down grade with
! double speed. sidetracking about half
:. mile from the flag station to let
the home-bound express pass by
: As the train from town came nearer
Margaret cantered forward to meet 1t.
but to her amazement 1t did not side.
: track as usual, coming instead
l. straight toward the station. The
. child.s heart stood still; in five min.
utes time the express would come
laundering by. and 1t never stopped at
d the flag station unless signaled. It
. would dash past into the train bearing
their friends from town, and Mar
= garet shut her eyes as the dreadful
1t vision came before her, but she was
10 quick to think. She raced with Daisy
back to the flag station and snatched
= the signal, bit OF scarlet flannel
III from its nail on the wall. It was toe
lr late to warn the incoming train. which
would not have time to back down Il
the switch and sidetrack before tn.
to express came upon them from tn,
is other direction. But she and Dais,
= would be able to signal the rushing
~ express and check Its speed In time
q They took the railroad track, tn
little girl reasonably thinking that tn
!. sight OF such an unusual obstael
us would bring the engine quickly to
to halt. Margaret had no thought of he
he own danger, though Daisy shrank a
she felt the ominous rumbling beneat
her hoofs.
On Good girl! Good girl" whispere
n Margaret. Steady. steady, there
don't be frightened" and graspin
the bride firmly with one hand. sh
OF waved the signal vigorously with tn
he other, just as the black snorting mol
a. ster dashed Into sight
A surprised shrek and two sho
y! whistles answered the signal. an
no Margaret knew that all was wei
- Then things began TO whirl befoI
her. she had just strength to pu
Ne Daisy on the track. when she siippe
out Of the saddle to the ground, h
little white face upturned TO the SUI
see glow. The acarlet signal was 81
ess in her tightly clenched hand. Al
ars Daisy stood quietly smiling and nstg
in9. mil helm arrived.