Year: 1879

There were three of them-Kitty, Mary and little Tommy-the children of rhe station-master at Black River June tion, on the Great Southwestern rail toad. The station stood alone on the open prairie. miles and miles from any where in particular. Black river flowed through the mountains, hundred miles away to the north, and on clear days the snowy mountains could be seen glimmering on the grassy horizon. The line leading to the Black river 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 another family within ten miles in any direc- on.

 At times the children thought it rather lonely. There was nothing in particular to be done, 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, and the children soon found that an empty freight car makes q capital playhouse. They could keep house in the corners and make visits, or sit by the open door and make believe they were having a ride.

 One morning they were awakened by a curious humming sound out of doors, and they all scrambled up and looked out of the window. How the wind did blow! It 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 roof the house became great music-box, with the children inside After break fast the morning trains arrived, but the wind was so high that the passengers loI tTN another as quickly as possible. Then the trains went away, and the great wind-harp on the roof sang louder than yer.

 The station-master said it blew gale, and that the children must stay in the house, lest they be blown away into the prairie and be lost. The station-master's wife said it was pity the children must stay in the house all day. There was an haps they might play in that. The station-master thought this good idea. and he took Kitty by the hand and Tommy in his arms, while Mary took hold of his coat, and they all went out to the empty ear. Whew! How it did blow! They certainly thought they would be lifted up by the wind and blown quite into the sky. The empty car was warm ssand snug, and, once in- side, they were quite out of the way of the wind.

 Mary thought the rear end would be a good place to keep house, but Tommy preferred the other end, so they agreed to keep house at both ends of the enntv car. This was nice plan, for it gave them chance to visit each other, and the open part by the door made a prom enade to walk on.

 Louder and louder roared the pale Safe and snug in the car, they went on with their play and thought nothing of the weather outside.

 Suddenly the car seemed to shake. and they stopped in their housekeeping and ran to the door to see what had hap pened.

 Why, it's moving! Somebody's pushing it,n said Mary.

 "They are taking us away on the freight train. Come, we must get out. D

 didn't hear the whistle" said Tommy. l guess something is push ing the car.''

 The girls leaned out of the door to see what had happened. Why, there was the platformp What was the matter with the stationP It was moving away No, it was the car. It had left the sid ing and had rolled out upon the main line and was moving faster and faster along the road.

 "Oh, we must get out! They are talk ing us away"

 No, no,' said Kitty ssWe must stay here till the brakeman comes round. i didn't hear them when they took us on the trair."

 There isn't any train" said Tommy looking up and down the line.

 Oh, it's the wind! It's blowing the car away. We must put on the brakes and stop it.n

 This was good plan, but how W ere they to carry it outp The brake-wheel was on top of the car, and they were in- side. Faster and faster rolled the ear. It began to rattle and roar as if dragged along by a swift engine In a moment Tommy began to cry. Mary tried to