Facing the World | Page 3

Fox will have
supper ready by the time we come."
Harry was not, on the whole, attracted by the appearance of his guardian. There was a
crafty look about the eyes of Mr. Fox which seemed to make his name appropriate. He
surveyed his young ward critically.
"You're pretty well grown," he said.
"Yes, sir."
"And look stout and strong."

"I believe I am both."
"My boy, Joel, is as tall as you, but not so hefty. He's goin' to be tall like me. He's a sharp
boy--Joel."
"By the way, you didn't write how much property your father left."
"After the funeral bills are paid, I presume there'll be only about three hundred dollars
left."
Mr. Fox stopped short and whistled.
"Father hadn't much talent at making money," said Harry, soberly.
"I should say not. Why, that money won't last you no time at all."
"I am old enough to work for a living. Isn't there something I can find to do in
Colebrook?"
"I guess I can give you work myself--There's always more or less to do 'round a place. I
keep a man part of the time, but I reckon I can let him go and take you on instead. You
see, that will count on your board, and you don't want to spend your money too fast."
"Very well, sir. There's only one thing I will stipulate; I will wait a day or two before
going to work. I want to look about the place a little."
While this conversation was going on, they had traveled a considerable distance. A little
distance ahead appeared a square house, painted yellow, with a barn a little back on the
left, and two old wagons alongside.
"That's my house," said John Fox. "There's Joel."
Joel, a tall boy in figure, like his father, came forward and eyed Harry with sharp
curiosity.
"How are ye?" said Joel, extending a red hand, covered with warts.
"Pretty well, thank you," said Harry, not much attracted to his new acquaintance.
"Here's Sally, too!" said John Fox. "Sally, this is my ward, Harry Vane."
Sally, who bore a striking family resemblance to her father and brother, giggled.
Mrs. Fox, to whom Harry was introduced at the supper table, was as peculiar in her
appearance and as destitute of beauty as the rest of the family.
The next day, Harry, feeling it must be confessed, rather homesick, declined Joel's
company, and took an extended stroll about the town. He found that though the railway
by which he had come was eight miles distant, there was another, passing within a mile

of the village. He struck upon it, and before proceeding far made a startling discovery.
There had been some heavy rains, which had washed out the road for a considerable
distance, causing the track to give way.
"Good heavens!" thought Harry, "if a train comes over the road before this is mended,
there'll be a wreck and loss of life. What can I do?"
Just across the field stood a small house. In the yard the week's washing was hung out.
Among the articles was a red tablecloth.
"May I borrow that tablecloth?" asked Harry, in excitement, of a woman in the doorway.
"Land sakes! what for?" she asked.
"To signal the train. The road's washed away."
"Yes, yes; I'm expectin' my darter on that train," answered the woman, now as excited as
our hero. "Hurry up! the train's due in fifteen minutes."
Seizing the tablecloth, Harry gathered it quickly into a bundle and ran back to the railroad.
He hurried down the track west of a curve which was a few hundred feet beyond the
washout, and saw the train coming at full speed. He jumped on a fence skirting the tracks,
and waved the tablecloth wildly.
"Will they see it?" he asked himself, anxiously.
It was an anxious moment for Harry as he stood waving the danger signal, uncertain
whether it would attract the attention of the engineer. It did! The engineer, though not
understanding the meaning of the signal, not knowing indeed, but it might be a boy's
freak, prudently heeded it, and reversing the engine, stopped the train a short distance of
the place of danger.
"Thank God!" exclaimed Harry, breathing a deep sigh of relief.
The engineer alighted from the train, and when he looked ahead, needed no explanation.
"My boy!" he said, with a shudder, "you have saved the train."
"I am glad of it, sir. My heart was in my mouth, lest you should not see my signal."
By this time the passengers, whose curiosity had been roused by the sudden halt, began to
pour out of the cars.
When they saw the washout, strong men turned pale, and ladies grew faint, while many a
fervent ejaculation of gratitude was