New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-11

w at Buffalo a light rain falling, and this
constantly increased until at Cleveland IT
was steady downpour. From there the storm
grew and vague hoated through the that the
situation ahead near Dayton, was grave indeed.
Among the passengers was a stove named
Clifford. Across the aisle thin, woman
Rugged frctful baby.
Before long strange murmur went through the train
People their seats and gazcd out Of the windows
They were approaching Marion, and the train ran
alongside "a river. In it they saw several houses float
ing down stream, and everywhere the fields were
submerged. babel OF talk broke loose in the At
that moment the train Numbered across bridge and
as the last car passed the bridge tcmbed supports
gave way, and it too sailed down the stream. The
man with the baby set up pitiiul cry.
Clifford tried to rcassure the frightened mother and
the babvs cries steadily increasing he opened his bag
AMI hunted out a bright rel sucker with paper tied
round the stick, which aboously printed, For
D-a-l-i-y. Smiling himself, he off the little
note and tossed the sucker 10 the CRYING child.
The old man in front grinncl little then, look
ing him over, said, "Travcing man; What line
stoves, was the answer.
"Whv that is my line too. I'm in the hardware bust
ness myself.
Ever alert to scent possible order, Clifford at
once interested That So? Where DO YOU come FROM:
"Columbus,' was the answer
At once the storm outside and the possible danger
left CIfford's mind and he was all business. "Why,
that is right in my territory You must be the that
runs the Columbus hardware store. Never been able
to get my line in there though I've tried for years.
And then down into his sample case he dived, and
soon the man ahead interested in spite OF himself
photographs and prices were discussed.
Suddenly the slow grinding Of brakes reused them,
and the train came TO standstl. For some distance
the tracks had been under water and it could no
farther quarter of mile away the lights OF the town
cleaned: but the rain falling in torrents, and a-
ready the water was ankle deep in the fields. There
was nothing DO but get out and try to cross the fields
to the town. and there change TO another road
In the scramble that ensued Clifford and the hard
ware dealer kept together but after they were IN the
field Clifford became aware Of the woman who had sat
across the aisle, struggling walk in the water and
carry the heavy child.
For a minute he watched her; then glanced down at
the heavy sample case in hand and equally heavy
personal bag in the other Then quaring his shoulders
he shifted both heavy bags to one hand and said to the
mother, "Giye him to me- You'll never get through.
But he glanced wrathfuly nevertheless at the empty
handed men who hurried by without one glance at
those around them, intent only gaining shelter
Bags and baby were "a heavy load in that road, ana
thinking TO have it quickly he forged ahead eav-
I'M, the mother to follow as best She could He became
separated from the hardware man IN the gathering
dusk and i, was only after he had deposited baby and
mother wet but safe in the depot that he bethought
himself Of the lost order.
Gee, that kid quecred me- al right" he murmured
reqrcuv and then crossed to the ticket Office TO
see about trains As he turned away the hardware man
Of the train touched his wet shoulder.
about handling that line OF yours he said slowly
IF YOU can get u TO see ne why guess Il put II IN
He waitci moment, and then before Clifford could sly
a word added, For burned If don't like YOU