The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-31

pain now?"
"A trifie easier, Kenneth"
Hadn't better go for DR..
Booth? You might have something
worse than just cold?"
NO, dear; Til be better soon." sighed
the sick woman, as she turned over in
her bed to go to sleep.
Mrs. Osborne had been sick for two
days, and owing to the fact that she
and her 13 year old son, Kenneth, lived
two miles away from the village and
that for the last week there had been
a continuous storm, none of their
friends had yet heard OF her illness.
Her husband. who had been an engi-
neer, was killed in wreck, and the
shock of his death had left her deli
cate in health. The odd jobs that Ken
meth did after school hours and the
sewing his mother took in supported
them, for they lived inexpensively and
the rent OF the cottage was small.
But, unfortunately, this winter had
been unusually cold, and as fuel had
been scarce the little pile of money
had gone rapidly down toward the toe
of the old stocking.
Mrs. Osborne had caught hard cold.
and as IL grew rapidly worse Kenneth
grew alarmed, for now her racking
cough came from the lungs. The boy
had not been able to go to school
because of the poor condition OF the
roads during the Storm, so had ample
time to serve his mother. AS dusk
came on he lighted the lamps and
walked softly into his mothers room.
She being asleep, he went back to the
kitchen and began reading.
Presently he was aroused by call
of Kenneth, KENNETH Hastily he
put down his book and went to his
mother She was lying down, breath
ing hard, and with great effort she
gasped, GO for DIR. Brown-quick"
Before she could get further than
Doctor the boy was off like flash.
He hurriedly put another stick In the
stove and wrapped a muff1er around his
throat. Then hastily he tied long
cord around the collar of his great
st. Bernard and, catching up lantern,
started off for the village.
Outside the wind was raw and cold,
and the snow blew in fitful gusts. But
this night of darkness and cold held
no terrors for the boy of the plains.
AS he went hurriedly over the snow
beaten path his faithful dog, not I'M
Outstanding the masters gravity, sud
denly gave a loud bark, followed by
others of sharper variety, and bound
ed off before the hoy. But Kenneth
called him back and patted the animal
on the head, saying, mo, Jack; no
barking nor whistling till mother is
we'll again. And the good dog. seem
ingly comprehending. walked sedateIy
by the boy.
Soon the lone pair neared. the rail-
road track and. with his lantern swing
ing along at his side, the boy started
to cross it when something glittering
caught his eye. He kneeled down and
was closely inspecting it when cry of
horror arose from his lips. What.
Could it possibly bel Yes. IL was! A
rail had broken and was projecting out
on the other side of the track, meaning
a wreck for the 1880 limited.
What was he to do? If he waited for
the train, which would probably be late,
owing to the storm, his mothers condi-
tion might grow worse. II he ran on
for the doctor, the lives of the passen
gers on the limited would be endan-
gered to a great extent
Duty and love! Which should he
choose?
While his mind was revolving these
thoughts his eye lighted on the faithful
Jack Suddenly an idea occurred to him.
He gave cry of joy, and in a twin
king had wired the lantern to the col
lar of the bewildered animal. Then, al
lowing but few feet of cord, he fast
ened one end to the rail, the other
being securely tied to the dogs collar.
He patted the animal affectionately
and then started off. Jack did not un-
derstand these maneuvers, and tried to
follow his master, but the commanding
presence of the rope compelled him to
retreat, which produced a long series
of banks. And Kenneth strobe on, his
mind filled with perplexity as to
whether he had done right.
Forty minutes late Guess she'll
stand more speed" The speaker turned
to his companion. who grunted acqui-
escence.
Chilly weather, this.' The speaker
was not rewarded this time by either a
grunt or a nod from his companion.
for that worthy person was otherwise
engaged. being at that moment lean
ing far out of the cab window of the
limited
Suddenly an exclamation burst from
his lips, and with one bound he had
drawn his head from the window and,
rushing over to a long lever, pulled it
with such force that the long train
came to an almost abrupt standstilI
Heaven man. Why did you do
that?" exclaimed the first speaker Rob-
bins by name.
without replying to his query the
fireman jumped to the ground Just as
the train ceased motion. Simultane-
ousIy several other officials did so. and
they advanced to the spot where a light