Evening star., 1928-06-18

tysevoiod Mikhaylovteh Garshin, 1855
1883, was Russian writer Of stories. often
as typical Of Russian literature
lvan0v was watchman for the rail-
road. He lived in q little hut with his
wife, and. IL he obtained permission, he
could raise vegetables in a half acre of
land adjoining. He earned IL rubles
a month-not a handsome sum, but
enough for his meager needs. All he
had 10 do was inspect the section of
the railroad under his charge, twice
daily. tighten nuts. testing the rails,
and seeing that everything was all right
for the trains TO pass.
His neighbork watchman. Vasili, was
hard to make friends with, but after
a time they would sit on the bank,
smoking together and talking. Ivanov
learned that Vasili hated his position
in the world, and blamed those In
authority for hts poverty. vaSilf hated
the wealthy people who could ride on
the railroad IN private cars. He thought
something ought to be done about 1t.
VaSih also had grievance. One
Summer he had been growing some
cabbages without permission. 1t was
discovered and the superintendent
made him dig them up and throw them
away. vasih wanted vengeance-he
would 20 TO Moscow and see about It.
lie would find out II a watchman had
any human rights. He would ride a
freight TO Moscow and have the super
intendent properly reported.
Ivanoy tried to calm vasili. Ivanoy,
though not content with his lot.
ti1ougilt that things could be much
worse He did not believe In complain
ing 80 much or In getting into any
trouble over IL.
Things went on for some time Then
there was a government inspection OF
The road. When the inspector came tC
Vasili's section Vasili reported how the
Superintendent had. treated his cab
bages. The inspector was insulted BY
being reminded Of such an incident al
such an important time. There were
marsh words. VaSili was punched in
the face and knocked down. He went
10 the city Immediately To seek redress
leaving his wife in charge Of the sec
Ion.
Now, Ivanoy made few extra pen.
mes by cutting flutes with his knife
from willow brancflfs He would &C
into nearby woods TO find suitable
branches and send the flutes TO tht
village 10 be sold. One afternoon ht
had TO go farther from the road thar
usual to find suitable willow twigs, arlc
when he was coming back TO the rail
road he heard the ring Of metal or
metal.
What could that sound mean? HI
knew there were no repairs being mad'
on the road. He hurried, and came u
the road In time 70 see the bent hgur'
Of a man busy at dislocating rail. i
was Vagtli. He evidently had some mao
idea Of vengeance In his brain. He wal
a hot-aeaded fellow, and must hav'
failed TO get satisfaction In the city.
The dislocated rail- was In Ivanoy'
section. But that did not matter 81
much as the fact that train would b.
wrecked. Ivanov called TO Vasili. bu
the man ran away. taking his cTowba
with him. IYanov looked at the rail
He had no tools with him. II would b.
impossible 10 replace the rail without ;
dowi,ar and a wrench.
IganOY did not know what 10 do. SOor
passenger train would come speeding
IL. He could think Of no way 10 stOi
he had no flags. He would have u
lJn TO his hut for tools or signal flag.
Ivsnov ran as fast as he could, pant
ing for breath. Every moment scenes
ar age, and he was afraid he wouit
trtg over the ties. But he ran on unit
he was only few yards from his hut
The whistle al the mill blew O'Clock
In two minutes the passenger train wa
due.
somehow he mus. save the innocent
ungigDecting people aboard that train
If he did not stop the train. IL would b
deyailed The gleepeYe would be SnaGhe'
70 spllntRrs II was at a curve ther
vas d fall Of 10 feet or 50 down stee
frnoanknaerlt. Women and childrel
would meet terrible deaths or be horri
biy injured The train was approach
ing that very minute. and the people di
not knew death lay ahead. What coui
he do?
Iyanoy saw that to 90 on 10 his hu
aid back would lose precious seconds
He turned and ran quickly back 10 tn
disIocated rail He ran faster eve
than before. He no longer though
about tall he knew WAS that ne mus
make haste. that every second HS19t
mean a life lie found the spot agar
There were his willow twigs. He picke
t,u one Of the branches. He thought n
heard the train coming.
Yes. surely that was q whistle SOUND
,ng In the distance. The rails began
frefuDie and yibrate gently. warning
sl,e supYoaehing train. He could go n
fsrff1ef his strength vsS falling MIN
vel ne must DO something Suddenl
he had an inea.
He took Of his zap and took out {
a white cotton handkerchief. The
10 pulled out his sharp knife, crosse
hfrnsqlf. and D1urnnured God help me
what ne VS. about n % was dsi
peraae, but 1t was the only chance