Year: 1879

Mary. and little Tommy-the CHILDREN
of the station master at Black River
Junction on the Great Southwestern
railroad. The station stood alone on
the open prairie, miles and miles from
anywhere in particular. Black river
flowed through the mountains, a huns
dred miles away 10 the North, and on
clear days the snowy mountains could
be seen gimmerlng on the grassy hori-
zon. The line leading to the Black rlv-
er met the Southwestern here. and thus
it was the place was called Black River
Junction.


The station master and his wife and
three children lived in the little depot
quite happily. but there was not anoth-
er family within ten miles in any direc-
ton. At times the children thought it
rather lonely. There WAS nothing in
particular to be don, except TO watch
the trains that stopped at the junction
several times day. Once in a while
a freight car would be left on the side
track, aud the children soon found that
an empty freight car makes a splendid
play house. They could keep house in
corners and make visits, or sit by the
open door and make believe they were
having ride.


One morning they were awakened by
curious humming sound out of doors,
and they all scrambled up and looked
out of the window. How the wind did
blow! 1t whistled and roared round the
house and played on the telegraph wires
upon the roof as upon huge harp. AS
the wires were fastened to the root the
house became great music box Will
the children inside. After breakfast
the morning trains arrived, but the vino
was 80 high that the passengers were
glad 10 hurry from one train to another
as quick as possible.


Then the trains went away, ana The
great wind harp on the roof song louder
than ever. The station master said i
blew gale and that the children mus
stay in the house, lest they be blown
away into the prairie and be lost. Th'
station masters wife said it was pit,
the children must stay in the house al
day. There was an empty freight ca
on the side track; perhaps they nigh
play in that. The station master though
this a good idea, and he took Kitty b,
the hand and Tommy in his arms.whll
Mary took hold Of his coat, and the.
all went out to the empty car.


Whew how 1t did blow! They Ger
tainly thought they would be lifted VI
by the wind and blown quite into tn
sky. The empty car was warm ant
snug. and once inside they were quit
out of the way Of the wind.


Mary thought the rear end would be
good place TO keep house, but Tomm
preferred the other end, so they agree
10 keep house at both ends Of the cal
This was a nice plan. Tor 1t gave them
chance 10 visit each other, and tie opel
part of the door made a grand promen
ade to walk on.


Louder and louder roared the gale
Safe and snug in the car they went O.
with their play, and thought nothing
the weather outside. Suddenly the ca
seemed TO shake aud they stopped j
their housekeeping and ran to the doc
to see what had happened. Why. it,
moving. Somebody's pushing It, sal
Mary. They are taking US away o
the freight train. Come, we must g
OUT


4 didn't hea: the whistle, said Ion
t my. Il guess something is pushing th
car


The girls leaned out of the door
see what had happened, Why, whei
was the platforms What was the ma
ter with the station? 1t was movlD
away. No; it was the car. 1t hs
. left the siding and rolled out upon tn


main line, and was moving faster ar


faster along the road. oh, we mu


get out! They are taking us away
No, no. said Kitty. We mu


stay here till the brakeman com


round. didn't hear them when th'


took US on the train


There isn't any train, said Tomm
= looking up aud down the line. %
. it's the wind! It's blowing the C
away! We must put on the brakes al


stop it,


!. This was a good plan, but how we
4, they 10 carry It outs The brake wht
!, was on the top ofthe car and they We
'e inside. Faster and faster rolled the CT
= II began to rattle aud roar as If dragg


along by a swift engine. In nome


Tommy began 10 cry. Mary tried
or look brave, and Kitty stared hard
u the level prairie flying past. 1t was
st no use. They all broke down logetl


aud had hearty cry alone In the en-


ty car a, 1t rolled on and on before


gale.


The station masters wife rolled
= her sleeves TO put the house in orr


while the children were safely out
., the way. The station master, feel


.,xa tba childran wera aafa In the freil