The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-09-21

1
saw at once that further resistance Just
therfskould be useless; had better make uE
my mind toobev the orders of tue mysterious
stranger, keeping. meanwhile both eyes anc
ears on the alert. So, with a shrill whistle
we flew past FalIowdene at full speed; anc
then shoveIled a lot Of coke into the furnace
and poured little oil here and there among
the joints of the machinery, and went quiet
~ about my work, as though no strangers
were present, but always keenly observant
of what my companions were doing.
81 am glad to find that you have come tC
your senses SO readily said the stout man
Keep your engine up to the mark, and oul
journey will be done all the the sooner
So saying, he proceeded to fasten white
woolen comforter round his throat, and tc
put on travelling cap in the place ofhis hat
after which he lighted cigar, and turned
to look at his friend.
The slim man gentlemen call them no
longer had taken no part in the converse
ton +; but seated from the first in one cor
ner, with the dispatch box between hi.
knees, had seemed to take very despou-
dent view of bis position. Him, the stont
man now turned to address but when he
spoke, it was in the French language, evil
IDENTIFY that might not understand what
was said neither of them dreaming that
the black greasy looking stoker beside them
was acquainted with more languages than
his own
'How melancholy you look tonight, my
friend" said he; ''one would think you
were in love, 80 forlorn as you sit there.
All our plans have succeeded and although
we missed the train, that is matter of lit
tie moment, since, thanks to our clever
coup. sae-2l0iR, we shall not be above half
an hour late at our destination; and Peter
will surely wait that short time for us.
This night, Of all nights in the year, you
ought to be as merry as a black bird for
now you have accomplished your revenge
that revenge for which you have been sigh,
ing, day and night, for six moaths past
So cheer up, my child and be light hearted,
as am let the future take care of itself
Vige Ia tagatelte !''
+. 1t is SO cold sitting here, replied the
slim man with a shiytr, with nothing to
occupy either ones fngers or ones
thoughts
1T is because your thoughts are so busily
occupied,my friend, that yon are so gloomy
and d5stradt, But you said you were cold /:
here, drain this flask choice cognac, as
sure you not a headache in bucketful of
it. And here, take this overcoat of mine !;
for myself, can do just as well without
1t : and unheeding the circumstances Of
the other, the stout man slipped out of his
great coat, and indicted his friend into it );
then poured a quantity of cognac into the
cup OF his flask and finished up by insisting
that he should try'a cigar. But IN spite of
these friendly attentions, and the cheering
words which accompanied them, the slim
man remained silent and shivering brood
ing over sumo dark secret, known only to
himselfan his friend. When the stout
man found that all his efforts to cheer the
other were unavailing, he turned away with
q miuttered execratiou, and troubled him
self no further in the matter, but went on
smoking his cheroots, and watching all my
attentively, as though he fear
ed might play him false.
He asked me the name of each station
that we passed, aud its distance from Mel
lingshall; aud he became temporarily ex-
cited once or twice, when the red light (the
signal to stop was exhibited at some sta
ton at which timessI had to slacken
speed, and whistle till the green light took
its place, when we again put on all steam
and tore on our way The cold glitter of a
pstol-ba would meet my eye at such
times, and muttered caution would fall on
my ear, to beware that did not attempt
any treachery. But the dangerous point
once passed. the pistol would disappear for
awhile, and the stout man would go on
smoking more furiously than ever as if to
make up for lost time. He took out his
watch once or twice and when he held it
to the lamp to see the hour, had for the
moment IA clear view of his face
He was by no means Unlocking, and
seemed to be about forty years old. He
wore thick black moustacne, but the rest
of his face was closely shaven he had dark
piercing eyes, that seemed to look through
you and, for the rest, was, in manners and
appearance, as much gentleman as nine
tenths Of those who usurp that honorable
title. %
kept the furnace of the FREELY we'll sup
piled with fuel. and she went along at a gal
liant pace, for was determined to end this
strange journey as soon as possible. Past
one mie-post after another standing white
with ever and anon station, big or little
rushing madly up to u.s. staring at us
blankiy for a single second, and calling to
US with Thousand iron tongues to stop, as
it receded swiftly away into darkest space :;
under bridges innumerable, each of them
span OF blackness that vanished in an in
slant: then into the great tunnel, wrapped
and lost in its breath of steam and smoke,
awakening its thousand echoes that have
little time for sleep aud so out again into
the fresh cool night away-past silent
farm stead, and sleeping village, and great
furnaces that flare their hearts out to the
unheeding stars onward we went till
Burkleigh station was reached, and sixty
miles of journey had been achieved.
gathered from the stout mans observa-
tons that he was well acquainted with this
part of the country, and tnat our flight in
the dark was almost ended; indeed the
Firefy, good little engine though she was,
could not have held out much longer with
out further supply Of water.
Half way between BurkIeigh and the
next station" said the stout man, lis the
point where | wish to stop. You will make
your arrangements accordingly; and you
will further understand, that when | leave
the engine You will accompany me. | can
not afford to dispense with the pleasure of
your company just yet
Here was a new view Of the case with a
vengeance! and just as was calculating
how comfortably could work myself back
to Mellingshall, and reach home ia time for
an early breakfast.
demonstrated, but to no purpose: he
stopped me sternly, and at once Run
your engire off the main line ON to the first
siding you come to, said he; and for the
rest, hold your tongue"
| sackened speed at once; and about
mile further on We came to a small branch
line, leading to a coIliery some distance
away. Here the slim man got down, and
held the points open by my direction, while
ran the FREELY off the main line, and
brought her to stand, This done, let off
the steam, and raked some of the fire out,of
I. 10 Ill 81