Plainfield High School - Hermiad Yearbook (Central Village, CT)

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THE HERMIAD 7 He was close to the engine now-it was cnly two car lengths away-but the engine Was close to the tunnel. He saw the black hill ahead 3 then the smoke of the engine flew back and enveloped him in its choking fumes. How could he see the tunnel now? lf he failed to see it in time, he would be dashed off the car and killed. He wanted to drop flat, but fought off the impulse and strained every chilled nerve. He was on the last car vshen the warning telltales slapped his face cruelly. One hundred feet to the tunnel! Suddenly its wide mouth was right upon them, swal- lowing up the locomotive. Uttering a hoarse cry, he fell for- ward across the last gap between train and tender, and then, with a roar, the car entered the tunnel. Half unconscious, hatless, blinded and blackened by cinders and smoke, he wormed his way over the coal and rolled down into the cab at the feet of the astonished fireman. Self preservation is an instinct with railway crews. The presence of the frozen operator was all that was necessary to tell the engineer something was wrong. He brought the train to a stop as soon as possible and thus saved the freight from a disastrous wreck. LOST AND FOUND MIRIAM CORNELL MILO Van Wynkoop sat in his kitchen one cold stormy night, playing a mournful tune on his beloved violin. Everything in the kitchen looked poverty stricken, even to Milo himself. His pretty young wife, who was very weak for the want of food, came from the sinkroom, stood in the kit- chen door, and said: Oh, Milo, I am dying of hunger. Won't you please try and get some food to keep us from starving ? Milo arose from his chair, kissed his violin and hung it on a nail which was driven into the wall, and murmured, My friend. He then took his hat and coat, both in a very tat- tered condition, and departed into the stormy night. He went directly to the office of Mr. Bloom, who was manager of the musical department for the Gem Theatre. To his surprise, he found instead of the office boy at the door, who always told him the boss was out or too busy to see anyone, a beautiful young girl, who at once gave him admit- tance. He walked slowly into the office, and found Mr. Bloom seated at his desk. Milo spoke, but Mr. Bloom did not look

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6 THE HERMIAD The second call, nearer and more impatiently sounded, brought the ejaculation, Keep your shut on I as Williams gave the grate a vigorous shake. The near rumbling of the train drew him back to his duties. He jumped to his table, reached for and pulled the east-bound lever with a jerk. The engineer answered with a short blast and yanked the throttle open again. Williams was not sure, but he thought he saw the engineer against the glare of the open fire-box, shaking his fist at him for being tardy with the signal. The freight had slowed down considerably before the signal had cleared, but now the heavy train was quickly gathering headway. Williams leaned on the table, one hand closed over the spike. Touching it reminded him of the fact that the east- bJund track was blocked-he had failed to spike the lever, which prevented just such a hurried movement as he had made. The heavy train was already proceeding east on the east-bound track to certain disaster. For an instant he stood stunned by the knowledge of his carelessness. Then he plunged out of the office to warn some member of the crew in the caboose when it went past. The biting air mide him think quickly and he realized that there was not one chance in a hundred of any of the crew being on the platform. When it reached him, the speed would be too great to attempt to jump it. Only one chance remained. With- out a moment's hesitation, he stepped quickly to the side of the moving freight, caught hold of the ladder of a car and climbed to the top. He was nearer to the locomotive than to the caboose, so he started toward the front end. Suddenly there swept in upon his mind the thought of the tunnel! He must reach the engine before they came to the tunnel! If he failed, he would have to stretch out on the car roof until they came out on the other side. Then it would be too late to warn the engineer. Williams judged he was about ifteen or twenty cars from the engine as he started forward. The race would be close. The biting wind chilled him to the boneg his ears and fingers quickly became numb. W'hen he had put ten cars behind him, his movements became more and more labored. The gaps be- tween cars seemed to yawn wider and wider. The intermit- tent glow from the fire-box beckoned him on and mocked him by seeming to remain always just so far away. But the tunnel! How near was it? He became aware that the train was entering a cutg he saw the lights of Broad Street, which paralleled the railway, rise higher and higher. He tried to run faster, but his limbs felt immovable, and he seemed like one who tries to run in a nightmare.

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8 THE HERMIAD up. Milo spoke again and asked him a question. This time the individual at the desk turned around, grunted an answer, and returned to his work. As Milo was going out hopelessly, he saw a violin on the table. Picking it up, he began to play. Immediately the whole aspect or the room seemed to change, as ii by magic. Instead of a place dreary with winter cold, the dingy old office seemed to be alive with the breath of spring, and the sweet notes of birds could be heard singing in the newly budding trees. Mr. Bloom turned in his chair as though a wonderful new idea had come to him, and said rather more courteously, W'here did you learn to play like that? In Holland, my native land, replied Milo. You return later, and I will talk business with you said Mr. Bloom, even kindly this time, Oh, thank you. I can't play this violin very well, but I have one of my own at home which I am more used to, and on which I can play very well, said Milo, as he departed. In the meantime, during his absence, his wife could think of nothing but the words he had whispered when he hung up his violin. Ah me, she sighed, he loves it better than he loves ine. She then knelt down and began to weep. Presently she heard a junk peddler calling. She got up, went to the win- dow, called to the peddler and sold him the violin for five dollars. VVith the money, she bought some food for herself and Milo. 'When Milo returned he could smell the good things cook- ing and it strengthened his appetite. It also aroused his curiosity, wondering where Hilda got the focd. VVhen he had taken off his hat and coat he sat down in his chair, and gazed lovingly up at the nail. His violin was not there! He began looking around the kitchen but could not find it. He was sure he had hung it on the nail, he had never put it anywhere else. But what had happened to it? He started up in a frenzy, Hilda. where is my violin ? Her face flushed, and she told him all. But I was hungry. she stammered as she ended thetale. Furthermore we needed food far more than you did your violin, she added. His face turned pale. and he started to go out. Milo, if vou will only forgive me. I will work and buy it back, Hilda begged. Before he got to the door, he turned and asked Hilda if she had the man's address.