Year: 1873




rounding foliage; but the cruel wintry
blasts, tearing its lcafy coverings, left It
in desolate nakcdness, in full view Of the
railway trains, which several times daily
sped noisily by on their way east and
west. The quick eye Of many a travc-
Ter noted the column Of smoke curling
upward from the chimney.


Here a widowed mother and her son
found humble shelter. But three
short wears before they were living com
fOrtably in the nearest village. The
sudden death Of the husband and father
combined with u series Of lesser mislor-
tunes, caused them to exchange their
pretty home for this, which they obtain
ed at a triHing cost from its ijrst pro-
prlctor.


And here they have lived ever since
how, their old friend. aud Deighbors
scarcely knew True, james, the SON
went to and from the village laden
with numerous packages His bcrbs,
nicely picked, and carefully assorted
were always acceptable at the country
stores; and the bundles Of bright woods
he carried home when he returned. wo-
ven into many active forms bv the MIN.
bic fingers Of bis invalid mother, inva-
riable found ready, aud eager purchases.


Many time, ~ James turned his back
on the CHEEKY village, the intense longing
of childhood for companiOnship and
amusement stole over him, and an mex
pressibe feeling Of loneliness caused his
throat to swell with emotions which on
ly the remembrance Of the watching
waiting mother could qucll.


One sharp wintry afternoon, when the
quicksilver with downward tendency
denoted that it was to be colder still,
sour Hero"-for such he will prove to
be jumped into his little wagon, and
turned pony Shag's head towards home.
leaving behind him the CHEEKY glow of
houshold fires. Never had his heart
been happier or lighter than now. For
twas his own at last, the book he want
ed so long, and for which one hard-earn-
ed-penny after another had been SO
carefully boarded. Now that he had
the coveted treasure in his possession,
it seemed doubly precious. As Shag Of
his own accord turned to the right, he
raised it to his lips and kissed it raptu-
rously, Immediately glancing around to
see if any one was looking at him.


The short wintry day was near its
close, and the bleak hillsides, kissed by
the sun, crowned here and there with
eafiess trees, made dreary indeed the
almost trackless country road. The iron
track of the railroad, running parallel
with the wagon track, gave no token OF
the locomotives approach. The pony and
his master were the only living creatures
visible. The boy smiled joyfuliy, and
loosening his grasp of the lines, opened
the book, and in the almost twilight be-
gan eagerly to read the pages. Unde-
niably it was the nipping cold that gave
to the end of his nose rosy hue but 1t
was not that alone which sent the vivid
color flying all over his face. What if
Shag left to himself, did take the wheels
over every stone, and bump him around
considerable He as he read, seemed to
be in the land of the Saracens, in the
midst of the crusaders, side by side with
Richard Occur de Lion" All about
him was the din and turmoil of battle;
glittering armor flashed in the sunlight ;
horses and men are falling together; but
everywhere, stately, proud and victori-
Gus, went the black horse and its rider.
''IIurrah! Huraah! Hurrahr" escaped in
voluntarily from the boyish lips. ''Whin-
ny! Whinny! Whinny"' responded
Shag, approaching the curve, rounding
which they would obtain a first glimpse
of home, yet half mile distant.


Reluctantly James closed his book
and caught up the lines, for now deeI
ravine bordered the way, and the mother
had begged him always be careful
The curve of the road, rounding with
the track, was safely passed, when
James eye rested on something that
sent the blood surging through his
| heart.


/ A huge tree had fallen from the bank
above directly across the track. The
strength of many men would be requir-
ed to lift it from its lodging place, and
with a sickening tremor it flashed across
| his mind that the eastern train passing
through the village he had just left, wa
even now due, and might any momen
round the curve proudly. And theI
James saw as once he had III a dream
| the locomotive and cars whistling over
and over, and away down at the bottom
of the ravine, the faces of the wounded
and dying. With this vision before him
he was carefully turning Shag about
Yet what could he do! If he only had a
lantern he might swing it around his
head, and thus warn the engineer. But
he hadn't one, nor anything to make
light with. Yet he had a solitary match
picked carefully up from the floor of the
store, his book-his precious book,-ant
the pine wagon box.


In an instant his plans were laid
Shag was urged back at his best speed
Il few rods. Every second was precious
Out sprang James, jerked the tai
board from the wagon, and, in less tins
than | can write it, had with the aid o.
a jack knife, made it into kindling wood
This with quick fingers he piled col
house fashion, on the middle of the track
filed up the insterstices with leaves
torn ruthlessly by the handful from his
new history, until nothing OF it was left
in his possession but its strong leather
cover. Then with eager haste he cross
ed carefully over the top to the lone
side pieces of the wagon-box, and, kneel
ing down, drew the solitary mattel
across his rough boot. A pale blue light
flckered an instant, then gust of wine


II.