Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-10-17

"Steaoy' Steaoy, STEADY, There!"
family grew to depend upon her. for
the very faintest whistle could not
escape her sharp ears; she seemed
unconsciously TO be always on the
alert.
Margaret was a queer child. used
from babyhood to roaming the n
try by herself. She knew every foot
of the ground, and II was as natural
for her TO ride a horse as 1t 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 a
canter they had in the summer days
down the long stretch Of road that
led to town.
Margaret was never allowed to 90
to town by herself. though she vas
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 a 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 chlld's
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 a 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. II was Just sunset when they
reached the flag station and Margaret
could see the engine OF the train from
town poking its nose over the brow
Of a distant hill. At the top 1t would
commence the down grade with
double speed, sidetracking about half
a 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 II,
but to her amazement It did not side
track as usual, coming instead
straight toward the station. The
child's heart stood still; in Ave min.
utes' time the express would come
laundering by. and it never stopped at
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
vision came before her, but she was
quick to think. She raced with Daisy
back to the flag station and snatched
the signal, a bit Of scarlet flannel,
from its nail on the wall. 1t was too
late to warn the incoming train, which
would not have time to back down to
the switch and sidetrack before the
express anne upon them from the
other direction. But she and Daisy
would be able to signal the rushing
express and check its speed in time.
They took the railroad track, the
little girl reasonably thinking that the
sight Of such an unusual obstacle
would bring the engine quickly to a
halt. Margaret had no thought OF her
own danger, though Daisy shrank as
she felt the ominous rumbling beneath
her hoofs,
Good girl! Good GIRL" whispered
Margaret. Steady, steady, there
don't be frightened" and graspIng
the bride firmly with one hand, she
waved the signal vigorously with the
other, Just as the black snorting mon.
ster dashed into sight.
A surprised shrek and two short
whistles answered the signal, and
Margaret knew that all was we'll.
Then things began to whirl before
her: she had Just strength to pull
Daisy on the track, when she slipped
out OF the saddle TO the ground, her
little white face upturned to the sun.
set glow. The scarlet signal was still
in her tightly clenched hand, and
Daisy stood quietly smiling and neigh.
ing, until help arrived.
When Margaret came TO herself she
lay In her mothers lap, but she could
not understand, until she saw the
faces of the people all around her and
heard the cheer as she opened her
eyes.
Where's Daisy?" she asked, and
willing hands led Daisy to her side.
Good girl Good girl" she whispered,
Just as she had but a short time be.
fore, when the train rumbled over the
rails, She reached out and pstted
her favorite's glossy side.
Daisy didn't throw me-" she said,
raising herself, Il fell couldn't see
everything got black"