Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-10-17
The Daily Story
CROSSING BRIDGE-BY F. A. mitchell
cUpyrghted. ssIs. py AssOcIa,el Literary Bureau

space some five miles away, where he
had often seen 1t pass before. But 1t
was seven miles by the winding OF the
railroad within q quarter OF an hour
1t would be on the bridge. He was
near the center. So far as he could
Judge. he would barely have time to
get on terra frms by going either for
ward or back. The bridge would so
down with the train and he would
go down with both He was reason
ably sure that behind him the bridge
was standing, for he had just come
over it. Ahead Of him he could not see
through the darkness
A whirl OF influences passed through
the child's brain-his sick sister, his
troubled mother and now the horror
of train freighted with people going
down into that terrible chasm. Per
haps II was this that decided him.
He never knew what decided him. He
only knew that he could not go back.
All his nature revolted against doing
so. He must go forward.
And he did. At the center abutment
he found that it had partly given way
and one rail was at the lowest point
below the other. As he crawled for
ward 1t began to rise again. This gave
him courage. He saw that the damage
was caused by the giving way Of the
abutment in the river. and the one on
the farther bank was likely standing.
A whistle so clear that it indicated a
near proximity of the train spurred
him on. Despite the danger of being
blown off the bridge, he stood up and
walked on the ties. He was not now
over the boiling water, and that was a
relief.
Suddenly bright light flashed ahead
of him. A locomotive had rounded a
curve and was heading on a straight
track for the bridge. Jakey began to
swing his lantern. He heard the sound
attending the checking of a train, but
the headlight Of the locomotive Jared
nearer. Jakey was now some fifty feet
from the end of the bridge and feared
10 be run down. He could only stand
his ground and swing his lantern
The train came to n stop after pass
ing few feet on to the bridge. The
engineer waited for the light to ad-
vance and. leaning out from his cab.
heard Jakey's report of the condition
of the bridge. shudder passed over
the big man on the mammoth engine
at hearing that he and his trainload
of people had been saved from fright
full fall to death by the boy with the
little upturned face beneath him.
A light was coming forward, and the
conductor approached. Here and there
in the cars window was thrown up
and head thrust out. The conductor
heard the story that the bridge was
wrecked. and he. too, shuddered.
~ got to CO." said Jakey.
go where?" asked the conductor me-
chanically.
Il got to go a piece up the road for
a doctor. My little sisters sick"
Get aboard the train. We're going
to back up"
The engineer extended hand to the
boy and lifted him into the cab. As
soon as he got him there he folded him
| in his arms and kissed him. Then he
kissed him again and again until he
heard the conductor say:
Come: back up"
| which was very near the doctors
house. but by this time the news OF
the narrow escape had spread among
the passengers. and they crowded
| around the boy on the platform, imped
ing his progress. When they heard
! that a sick baby's life depended upon
! his further efforts they suffered him
| to proceed. When some twenty min
utes later he passed the station with
| the doctor in the latter's car he was
met by the conductor, who poured
hntfuI Of money into his lap. Then.
followed by cheer, the auto sped on
| to the baby.
When the doctor arrived he took
charge OF the little patient. but 1t was
some time later, when the latter was
sleeping. that Jakey told his mother
| how he had saved the train and show
ed her the pile of bills and gold and
silver pieces that had been contributed
for him by the passengers.
This was not all. The next day an
official of the road came to see Jakey
with n message from the president re-
questing him to come TO the general
OOlces III tue CIT! u Ut IuuIheu.
The baby being out of danger.
Jakey's Sunday suit was put on him.
and he took free ride on the train to
see the president. The boy was re-
ceiyed by multitude Of employees as
be passed to the office Of the presiding
| officer and found himself hero. Aft
| er being officially thanked he was IN
| formed that he would thereafter be
considered the child Of the company.
would be sent to school by IT. and when
he desired to enter the service OF the
road he would be educated TO take an
important position. Before he went
back he was handed check for s. O00.
made payable TO his mother.
Jakey Is now division superintend.
ent on the road. He frequently rides
over the bridge. or. rather. new one.
he crossed on that tempestuous night,
and every time he goes over IL the
greater his horror at the risk he ran.
III