Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1916-08-04
ASLEEP ON RAILROAD
Richard Avery,8 Rescued byW.H.
Thomas Near Three Bridges
COMPANIONS Took Money and Left -
EARNED Out by Massachusetts, at
Hinsdale, Mass.

So tired and exhausted from walking,
lack of food and sleep that he went to
sleep on the Boston & Maine railroad
tracks FRAY morning north of the
three bridges over West river, Richard
Avery, 8, "A state charge of Massa ehusetts,
managed to brighten an engineer and at
tract more attention than at any other
time in his brief career.
His story is pitiiul tale of boy led
into trouble by two others older than him
self, who eventually robbed him and left
him because he could not keep up with
them.
Lying on a police station cot, which is
not bed of roses, with his stomach sat
isfed for the first time in five DAYS. dirty,
but with a serious little face and man
ner of speaking more in keeping with a
business man than a small child, he told
his tale.
He lived several months on a farm
owned by Frank Smith of Hinsdale. Mass.
and was persuaded by Owen Wilson, ID,
and Mark Wilson, II, two boys who lived
near him, to run away with them to their
home city, Lynn. Five days ago they de
parted, as he supposed for Lynn He had
two slices of bread and three apples. He
remembered having had some johnny cake
woman had given him and some milk,
but try as he would he could not remem-
her what else he had to eat They slept
in the woods nights and tramped day
times
Were you not afraid to sleep in the
woods?' he was asked.
mo, sir. There were two other boys
with me and there was nothing to be
afraid Of he replied.
How they came to be on the railroad
tracks north of West river and be on their
way to Lynn from Hinsdale, Mass, he
could not explain. He was simply travel
ing with the others.
The engineer of the southbound passen-
ger train due here at 9.01 clock that
morning was forced to bring his train
nearly to a stop to avoid hitting three
boys. He whisted and the bell was rung
and brakes jammed on to avoid running
them down.
He reported the circumstances at the
railroad station. Not long afterwards a
message was received at the local tee-
phone exchange from the home of w. II.
Thomas in West Chesterfield that through
glasses they could see child apparently
asleep on the tracks. 4 telephone employe
also sent word to the railroad station.
a trackman was sent north from the
station to see what was the matter and
notice posted warning engineers. Mean
while Mr.. Thomas rowed across the river
and found Avery sound asleep. He took
him to his home and fed him. The little
chap said that he had had one dollar and
two companions, but when Mr.. Thomas
awakened him his companions and the
money were gone.
Mr. Thomas drove to Bratteboro with
him and turned him over to Traffic Officer
Wood, who took him to Acting Village
Attorney w. X. Daley. He said he would
be glad to go back to the farm in Hins
dale from which he had run away. When
taken to the police station to await some
word az to his disposition he was still
hungry and the officer divided his own din
ner with the little waif, who was ready
then to resume his interrupted nap
Miss Mathews, superintendent of the
Melrose hospital, offered to care for the
little fellow until the Massachusetts So
ciety which had him in charge, could
come and get him Tuesday and he went
there.