The San Francisco call., 1909-01-16

BY turning into this walk Hector shut
out the view of the train, but he also
saved precious mile, which was what
interested him most just then His
breath-was now almost spent, and with
every motion on the creaking pedals a
sharp, excruciating pain shot through
his legs.
But the terrible picture which
framed before his eyes of the crash
when the two speeding locomotives
came together, the horrible massacre
OF the innocent persons within and the
groans of the dying were sufficient to
make him insensible to the terrible
ordeal to which he was being put.
over rocks and into holes he drove
his bicycle, which was fast going to
the four winds. He fervently prayed
that the tires would hold out and stand
the trying test. They were of tough
thread. and standing the strain with
bulldog tenacity, so far at least It's
young driver was not thinking of its
welfare just then; all that he wanted
was to warn the train in time and he
would spare neither the wheel nor
himself.
His heart threatening to burst with
every successive push of the pedals.
his breath coming in short painting
gulps and his legs almost ready to
break under the fearful pressure i'm
posed on them, he struggled on.
Suddenly ahead sprang into view the
small station, the goal of his struggle.
Almost instantly he caught a low hiss
ing sound, which his trained ear
at once and rightly attributed to escap-
ing air. His front tire had burst.
Desperately he strained forward, his
eyes gazing fxedly on the small yellow
side. A dozen yards more and he
would reach it. Casting an agonized
look behind, his heart gave great
leap as he saw the train a good half
mile behind
With last amazing, desperate effort
Hector threw himself headlong to the
ground in front of the steps leading
to the platform bringing his wheel
with him. Disengaging himself. he at
tempted to rise but his knees gave way
under him and he crumpled down at
the foot of the steps. Dragging him
self forward. he cEawled up the three
steps. over the platform to the door
and with a gasp he saw that his worst
fears were realized.
With his remaining strength he
seized the red flag on the table and
throwing himself forcibly on the tracks
from the platform he raised the flag
over his head and swung it three times
as the locomotive gave it's warning
whistle to pass the station.
An instant Hector saw a huge hulk
loom before his eyes, then-darkness.
Hector opened his eyes again just in
time to see the big express flash past
at lightning speed. BY his side stood
his father, his face flushed, but with
sober light in his eyes
1t appears" the engineer was say
Ing, that this Is some sort Of festive
day for the operators and 1 was posi-
tive that Bill over at Cairo was drunk
when he ordered me to rush through.
1t was an hour ahead of time, but or
ders is orders, you know. And if it
hadn't been for this here plucky young
ster of yours, Jim" he broke off
sharply.
Yes. God knows what would have
happened" said Rollins, looking ten
derly at his son, but l have learned
my lesson, Hector. and so long as
live. with Gods help, I'll never touch a
drop of poison again."
II think" said a man entering at
this moment, and whom Hector recog-
nized- as the assistant superintendent,
Il think that this plucky young man
has saved the price of quite number
of bicycles and that he is also entitled
to one"
And Hector was supremely happy.