The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-11-28
MY ELO P E NJ E N 7

Jim, you may take her into the house
to night"
The cher referred to was sthe Ariel
one of the staunchest and fastest 'passen
ger engines that ever jerked train, and
Jim was my s'stoker'
Gall. right, jack" he answered, as
stepped from the cab and started TOWARD
the town.
1t was just dark, Of cold, stormy
November day, and if ever there was 6
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. I was but half through my on.
slaught on my hosts cuisine, when my
stoker, the best fellow in the world, only
little wild at times, came rushing into
the room.
"I'll be blowed if 1 amt half a mind
to let you finish the job" said he. I'D
give half dollar if could eat like
that
And he stepped back and gazed with
admiration at my display of talent for
eating when hungry.
"Come, come; what's up?" 1 asked
holding up the half Of biscuit land pre-
pairing TO follow up the process with the
other half
Good heavens, Jack! how often dc
you eat p 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 ma.
rine because you got the start of him,
and got away before he saw you"
Maylord was The Superintendent, and
l knew something was wrong some
where. replied:
Tell him 1 will be down after sup
per-"
'sThat 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 fred up.
She'll be blowing by the time we get
back"
I will not say that 1 uttered any very
angry words, but something stuck very
hard in my throat-half biscuit, l sup
pose. / seized pie from the table and
tossed it to Jim, whom l knew had not
had his supper, and then went for my
hat and started.
l found Maylord pacing to and fro in
the storm 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 ?
/ asked
"That's the mischief of it," he snarl.
ed. "The wires are down"
"Well, speak lively, for there's nc
time to fool away" said l, not remarks
bly, good humored at this prospect
Moreover, 1 had no particular love for
John Maylord, Esq.
He whipped letter from his pocket
and handed it to me.
"Catch the train, Jack, and give the
letter TO conductor Adams. Whatever
he gives you bring back to me withou,
delay"
Now there was something mysterious
about this, but, so far, / had no right to
question, so turned to Jim and asked
if he had taken water.
mary drop, Jack" 49,,
"Never mind the water" cried May
lord, "you have enough 10 run down."
"Mr Maylord, / am running this en-.
gine," replied, and can't run it with.
out water If you can, just take my
place and run her."
He turned away with something very
much like an oath, and l backed up to
the tank house.
just as Istopped,a young lady sprang
lightly up into the cab.
"You must let me 90 with you," she
whispered, and then stepped back into
the shadow, so that my foreman might
not see her
was amazed at her sudden appear
ance and strange request; but before
could reply, she threw aside her veil, re
vealing the beautiful face of Nellie May
lord.
"Why, Miss Maylord, you cannot
mean it!' l exclaimed-yet at the same
time really hoped that she did, for, tc
tell the truth, Jack Everett was in love
with her. OF course nobody knew i
but myself, and | had hitherto beer
content with a smile or a word, and
which she often gave me, notwithstand
ing her fathers frowns. To have hel
so near to me, and talking with me, lifted
me up to the top shelf of hopeless bliss
II must 90, Mr.. Everett" said she
II know it may seem strange to you'll tn
when one is in danger, one must dc
strange things to escape"
"In danger"
Eyes, and rely on you to save me. ,
As she said this, she lifted her lustrou'
eyes to mine, and gave me look tina
surprised me out of my usual prudence
| replied!
II will protect you with my life, i
need be, for l love you better than N.
own.
| could not see her face, then, for sh'
had turned it away, and frightened a
what | ha0 done, l hastened to ask he
forgiveness.
"Tut! tit" said She, placing he
hand over my mouth. "If that is true
you surely will let me 60 with you, for
fate far worse than death awaits me here
Say yes"
And what else could I say?
All this took place while Jim was a
the back end of the tender taking water
| and when he came forward to the ca
Nellie was demurely perched upon NJ.
seat. have him the hint to keep mum
and pulling open the throttle, away W
started on our wild night ride.
How the old Ariel flew over the iro
parallels! AccIs.one as was to tn
noble engine, I yet sometimes quake
with sudden terror. and shut off tn
steam. I was thinking Of Nellie, ther
and life never seemed so sweet to m
before. Then, as the speed slackened,
would give my noble steed the rel
aUnin and trnn to tho ,,uch chp wOul