1. The Earthquake

           Thetrainfrom’Friscowasverylate.ItshouldhavearrivedatHugson’sSidingatmidnight,butitwasalreadyfiveo’clockandthegraydawnwasbreakingintheeastwhenthelittletrainslowlyrumbleduptotheopenshedthatservedforthestation-house.Asitcametoastoptheconductorcalledoutinaloudvoice:

           "Hugson’sSiding!"

           Atoncealittlegirlrosefromherseatandwalkedtothedoorofthecar,carryingawickersuit-caseinonehandandaroundbird-cagecoveredupwithnewspapersintheother,whileaparasolwastuckedunderherarm.Theconductorhelpedheroffthecarandthentheengineerstartedhistrainagain,sothatitpuffedandgroanedandmovedslowlyawayupthetrack.Thereasonhewassolatewasbecauseallthroughthenightthereweretimeswhenthesolidearthshookandtrembledunderhim,andtheengineerwasafraidthatatanymomenttherailsmightspreadapartandanaccidenthappentohispassengers.Sohemovedthecarsslowlyandwithcaution.

           Thelittlegirlstoodstilltowatchuntilthetrainhaddisappearedaroundacurve;thensheturnedtoseewhereshewas.

           TheshedatHugson’sSidingwasbaresaveforanoldwoodenbench,anddidnotlookveryinviting.Asshepeeredthroughthesoftgraylightnotahouseofanysortwasvisiblenearthestation,norwasanypersoninsight;butafterawhilethechilddiscoveredahorseandbuggystandingnearagroupoftreesashortdistanceaway.Shewalkedtowarditandfoundthehorsetiedtoatreeandstandingmotionless,withitsheadhangingdownalmosttotheground.