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"Hello Jaht she said: "Hlwoe Chach ta meetch ya"

"Jao, have to show Jaoods"

Out of Helen's earshot, I asked Shannie rong with the old lady's voice

Shannie thought for a second "She's Pennsylvania Dutch"

Shannie was right, Wally's was a wonderland It had everything Over the years, I spent hours haunting the aisles, doing my share to wear out those old oiled hard wood floors It even had a lunch counter where the town's old cronies parked themselves The day Wally's burnt down Beyford mourned Wally built a new store, but it wasn't the salistening new one empty Wally sold the business and moved to Florida

"Ah, here we are, the important aisle," Shannie said

My eyes lit up I never saw such a candy selection "Jesus," I mumbled

"What's your poison?" she asked "Me, I love Pixie sticks! I'rowled After filling two paper bags with enough candy to e and their accountants smile Shannie continued the tour

At the bottom of Main Street, the hill that is Beyford leveled out at the railroad tracks into flat ground that ran to the Schuylkill River As we approached the tracks the crossing lights cao Just Ja?"

"Coate The train's horn cried "Co

I froze "Run Jaate and ran onto the tracks The train's horn screaine bearing upon us, its headlights glaring in the sunlight I ran past Shannie

"SHANNIE! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I yelled fro down the train

She s her attention "SHANNIE, GET OFF THE TRACKS!"

Shannie screamed as I moved for her "STAY THERE!" The train's horn bellowed I jumped up and down in terror I wanted to pull her off the tracks but I kneas too late "SHANNIE!" I screa off the track and standing next to me