The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-04-03
Our Daily Short Story


senger train whizzed by without stop ping, and ten minutes later tho girl was ready to go home. As she step ped out into the rain and darkness she heard shouting down the tracks, and five minutes later an affrightened hobo appeared and called out:
 Say, now, me partner is buried un- der about four million tons of dirt back dere In de cut!
 Do you mean that one of the banks has caved in?" was asked.
 "More'n an acre of it. It'll take whole week to dig me partner out. Better git de telegraph workin'. If a train runs into dat heap you won't find nuttin' but sphnters left"
 The girl turned and ran back to the office, and as soon as she could light a lamp she began calling for Marion. The through freight was due soon after S. It must be notified and held. Her calls were not answered. The op- orator was off duty, as he had right to be- There was no telephone ser vice between the towns. The tramp had disappeared into the night, as if fearing that the railroad company would hold him responsible for the cave-in. The depot was a good half mile from the village. In fifteen min utes after the tramp's first report the RfFl WAS Ftauy. w lIti HldtCneS Tn nef pocket, and a red light in her hand, she was making her way down the tracks in the face of the wind and the rain Yes. there had been a cave-in and a bad one. For a space of a hun dred feet the tracks had been buried ten feet deep The girls only way was to chamber over the dirt and rocks and brush. Sometimes she was caught and held, and sometimes she met with
 
 tinguished and had to be relighted She pushed ahead. however, until she reached the western end of the long bridge. It was standing stanchly She saw the light of a locomotive a mile beyond and began waving the danger signal. By and by the train came to a stop almost at her feet 1t wasn't the freight, but a special, and among the anxious men who left the coaches and came running along to make inquiries was the division super- intendent. Cloaked and bedraggled IS she was. the man did not recognize his discharged operator.
 How did 1t come about? Why didn't man come to. give warning?" he asked.
 "A tramp told me of it, and there was no man to send" she replied.
 You must be from the village, and perhaps you can tell me where the girl operator boards. I must get into the station and try and raise Vincennes by telegraph"
 Ten men followed the light of the girls lantern over the great heap of debris and to the depot. The D. s. was surprised when she unlocked the door and entered. He was more sur prised when she laid aside her sod den hat and cloak and sat down to the key and began calling each way and her no instructions He simply lis tened and waited. She ordered a wrecking crew to the spot and then turned from the key to meet his eyes
 --aw-beg pardon" he said
 T don't understand, sir" she replied
 ''You're--aw-Mis Williams"
 Certainly"
 And two weeks ago I-I-"
 Discharged me for being a woman I have five d-ys yet, I believe. You will find everything in order when the day comes"
 But, Miss Williams! I was laboring under a misapprehension, 1t seems. You sec"
 T am a woman. sir. and there can be no mlsapprehension, and bid you good night"
 Six weeks later the D. & stepped down aN out. The president of the road h{ sat up to take notice, and the dis@ Irged girl was bossing things In one ot the best offices on the line