The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-29

pushed backward to destruction
But no; quietly seating me upon tbe
9ench, on the other side, he looSened his
no noid and returned to his post, saving, in
the same distracted voice as at first: O "
eredn "3H' u oe oo'n'
by this time We were dashing alone nj
a pretty rapid rate, and could see that %s
knew how to handle the engine almost \,
wei as | did myself. Jumped to NV feet
and third time leaned forward To reac;
the throttle lever. W -sA'l
Who are you 2
"'Me? he answered, with a ouiet
laugh. Pm practical engineer, workino
IN the interests Of science. I've studied
Tor years, and years, and years, and now
want to make an experiment! Don't in.
terrupt me!n A III
"He gave me another look, full of wild
determination, and then burst into fit oI
hilarious laughter. "
GOOD! good! goodn he cried. 'But
she'll do better, better, better by-apd-bv
Now-she fiesn
"he gave the throttle lever another
Jerk; the engine shot away faster than
ever, and trees, telegraph poles, fences and
houses went by like lightning.
"For moment, sunk down upon nv
'eatin utter despair. To measure strength
with the madman was, saw, simply sui.
cidal. A struggle could only result in Ger.
tam destruction to myself, and probable
destruction to the train and all on board
oft. But one possible chance of regainine
control Of the engine presented itself, and
that would require all the nerve and cool.
ness had in me. must draw him into
conversation, and watch for my opportu.
nifty to gain advantage. either Of his cred.
ulity or his vanity, sufficiently to induce
him to give me his place. Once there,
must trust to Providence and my own
courage to prevent further mischief.
II scanned him closer than ever for .
moment or two. He seemed to have en-.
tirely forgotten my presence now jumping
up, and laughing and clapping his hands
now letting more steam on; now looking
eagerly out ahead, and murmuring: Bet
ter, better, better stlllr
"My heart was humping against my
chest, as said:
"'You seem to understand your buslnes:
pretty well, anyhow, my friend. Beer
long at 1t 2
"He looked at me, looked away again
but did not answer.
81 see you are a good, practical engi
neer, as you saw I continued. How long
have you been in the businessP
"'Years, and years, and years, tell
youp he answered. 1T was ] who fitted
out Pegasus, the winged steed. 1 who
gave that fellow, Icarus, the wax wings
but be flew too near Old Sol, and they
melted and let him down into the water
Ha {! ha han
"I wish | only had your experience al
it. said | what team we'd make togeth
er, pulling in the cause Of science, chg
"a new light, an expression of unspeak'
able delight, lighted up his face as, catch
ing my words, he turned toward me and
looking me full in the face, answered, but
no longer abstractedly:
"'Are you for science, too 2
"'Science, every inch Of me : said |.
"'Giye us your hand ? and he shook
mine with fervor which sent tingle tc
nv very collar bone. 'Hurrah for science
You're the man I've been searching for
with a lantern, these thousand years
You can help me. But and he leaned
and whispered in my ear, so distinctly
that could hear every word and letter o
it above the racket around us can yor
keep secret ?
"'Certainly can,' l replied, while
sort of creeping horror stole over me, as
felt his hot breath upon my face.
"sYou swear you camp he continued
looking inquiringly into my face.
"I swear CAM said I, with despe
rate effort, looking back at him.
"'Because,' he grated out, between hi
teeth, if | thought you meant to betray
me, I'd tear your tongue QUIT
msNeyer fear one man Of science betray
ing another answered, with sickly at
tempt at bravery. Sim your man.
".Well, then, mind what say said th'
madman, apparently rcassured, and pulling
from his coat pocket bunch of dirty pa
pers, scrawled all over with lead penci
marks. Here's my secret, the result o
five hundred years. hard study. To you
as 4 friend Of science, | will impart it
But remember your promisen
.By this time, felt terribly uneasy
not only in apprehension of my strang'
companion's intentions, but on account o
the alarming rapidity with which we wer!
moving. The madman was crafty enougl
to keep his position upon the foot-board
and saw there was no hope of stealing
march upon him in that direction.
"rNow, you see,' he went on to say, :
tangent from parabolic curve goes on u
inf3Ity,' and he held up one of the solIet
scrawls before me, pointing out the mark
upon it with his long, claw-like fore-tinger
and infinity is what Z Do you know
No-but YOU shall. Do | know? Yes
and in the cause of science, am going t
show you. Speed, in locomotion, tend
toward infnity. Infnity is unknown
The higher the speed, consequently, th'
Greater the proximity to the unknown
| I,,,o boeD studvinp theI