The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1871-12-05
Miss Maylord's Elopement,
ss Vim, you may take her into the house
~ tonight"

of the stauncheSt and fastest passenger en-
gines that ever jerked train, and Jim
was my "stoker."
"All right, jack" he answered, as l
stepped down from the cab and started to-
ward the town.
1t was just dark, of q cold, stormy No
vember day, and if ever there was happy
man it was myself Jack Everett, seated
ten minutes later, in the warm dining-room
with plenty of time, and steaming supper
at my disposal.
But this happiness was too great to be
lasting. was but half through my on
slaught on my hosts cui sine, when my sto-
ker, tho best fellow in the world, only n
little wild at times, came rushing into the
room.
"Tll be blowed if haint half mind
to let you finish the job" said he. I'd
give half a dollar if could eat like that"
Ard he stepped back and gazed with ad-
miration at my display of talent for-eat-
ing when hungry.
'Come, what's up?' I asked, holding
up the half of biscuit and preparing to
follow up the success with the other half,
"Good heavens, Jack how often do you
eat?'' he asked but without giving me
time to reply, he added, @ But I've got to
stop you now, for old Maylord is down to
the station swearing like marine, because
you got the start of him, and got away be-
fore he saw YOU"
Maylord was the Superintendent, and |
knew something. was wrong somewhere
| replied
"Tell him / will be down after supper"
"That won't do, Jack. You've got to
catch the express, and she's been gone
twenty minutes now. We've got the en-
gine out of the house, and all fired up
She'll be blowing by the time we get
back"
will not say that uttered any very an
CRY words, but something stuck very hard
in my throat-half biscuit, suppose. l
seized pie from the table and tossed it to
Jim, who | knew had not been to SUPPER
and then ! went for my hat and started.
l found Maylord pacing to and fro in the
storm of snow and sleet, and growing like
a hungry dog.
"Can you catch the express before she
reaches town ?' he asked, hurriedly.
81 can try. But why not telegraph ?' l
asked.
''That's the mischief of it," he snarled.
"The wires are down."
"Well, speak lively, for there is no time
to fool away" said |, not remarkably good
humored at the prospect. Moreover, /
had no very particular liking for John
Maylord, Esq.
He whipped a letter from his pocket and
gave it to me.
Catch the train, Jack, and give the let
ter to conductor Adams. Whatever he
gives you bring back to me without delay"
Now there was something quite mysteri-
GUS about this, but so far, ] had no right to
question, SO turned to Jim and asked if
he had taken water,
"Nary a drop, Jack"
"Never mind the water" cried Maylord.
"You have enough to run down.
nAi' idJiOluj CI-
gine," replied, "and can't run it without
water. If you can, just take my place."
He turned away with something very
much like an oath, and / backed up to the
tank house.
just as stopped, yelled lady sprang
up lightly into the cab
"You must let me go with you," she
whispered, and then stepped further back
into the shadow, SO that my fireman might
not see her.
and strange request F; but before could re-
ply, she threw aside her veil, revealing the
beautiful face of Nellie Maylord.
"why, Miss Maylord; you cannot mean
it !" exclaimed-yet, at the same time re-
ally hoping she did, for, to.tell the truth,
Jack Everett was in love with her. OF
course nobody knew it but myself, and l
had hitherto been content with smile or a
word, and which she often gave me not
withstanding her fathers frowns. To have
her so near me, and talking with me, soon
lifted me up to the top shelf of hopeless
bliss
81 must go, Mr. Everett" she said. 81
know it mays seem strange TO you, but
when one is in danger, one must do strange
things to escape ria tftfr hr
" In danger?" mff
Yes, and rely on you to save me-"
AS she said this, she lifted her lustrous
ewes To mine and paYe me a look that SIR.