National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-06-09

of II. But one possible chance of rcgainin
control OF the engine presented itself, an
that would require all the nerve and coo
ness ! had in me. must draw him int
con- Eersation, and watch for my opport,
nifty to gain advantage, either Of his cree
ulity or his vanity, sufficiently to Undue
rim to give me his place. Once there,
ust trust to Providence and my ow
co rage to prevent further mischief.
~ scanned him closer than ever for
moment or two. He seemed TO have en-
tirely forgotten my presence now jumpin
up, and laughing and clapping his hands
now letting more steam on; now lookin
eagerly out ahead, and murmuring; Bet
ter, better, better still ?
"My heart was humping against m,
chest, as said:
"'i on seem to understand your busmes
pretty well, anyhow, my friend. Beei
long at 1t p
"fle looked at me, looked away again
but did not answer.
al see you are good, practical engi
neer, as you say,' | continued. How lonI
have you been in the business ?
"'Years, and years, and years, tel
youn he answered. 1T was ] who fitted
out Pegasus, the winged steed / who
gave that fellow, Icarus, the wax wings
but he flew too near Old Sol, and they
melted and let him down into the water
lIa ha han
"'l wish | only had your experience a,
it, %id |; what team we'd make togeth
err pulling in the cause of science, eh 2
li,rht sin ol 1.
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 p
"Science, every inch of me y said l.
"Give us your hand = and he shook
mine with a feryor which seIt tingle to
my very collar bone. 'Hurrah for science
You're the man I've been searching for,
with lantern, these Il ousand years.
You can help me. But and he leaned
and whispered in my ear, so distinctly
that could hear every word and letter of
it above the racket around us can you
keep a secret 2
"'Certainly ] cam replied, while a
sort of creeping horror stole over me, as !
felt his hot breath upon my face.
"'You swear you can 2 he continued,
looking nquiringly into my face.
"'l swear ! cam said |, with despe-
rate effort, looking back at him
"'Because,' be grated out, between his
teeth, if thought you meant to betray
me, I'd tear your tongue out
"'Never fear one man of science betray-
ipfy ba, | x.-,th i.tyl 10
tempt at bravery. Pm your man
"'Well, then, mind what say said the
mailman, apparently reassured, and pulling
from his coat pocket bunch of dirty pa
pers, scrawed all over with lead pencil
marks. Here's my secret, the result OF
five hundred years hard study To you,
as a friend of science, will impart it.
But remember your promsen
"By this time, felt terribly uneasy
not only in apprehension of my strange
companions intentions, but on account of
the alarming rapidity with which we were
moving The mailman was crafty enough
to keep his position upon the foot-board,
and saw there was no hope of stealing a
march upon him in that direction.
"'Now, you see, he went on to say, "a
tangent from a parabolic curve goes on to
iniinlty,' and he held up one of the soiled
scrawls before me, pointing out the marks
upon it with his long, claw-lke fore finger;
AN infnity is what Do you know {?
No-but you shall. Do ] know Yes;
and in the cause of science, | am going to
show YOU. Speed, in locomotion, tends
toward intinty. lniinity is unknown.
The higher the speed, consequently, the
greater the proximity to the unknown
Down where I've been studying they
wouldn't let me build my engine to make
this experiment with. So and here his
voice fell to horrid whisper again, i came
away secretly, the other night, and now
ha ha ! ha I've got good engine of my
own! Speed, speed, speed is what we
want By-and-by wc'll be ready for the
tangent; then intnity, and our fortune is
made forevern
81 saw that hope was fast disappearing.
His intention plainly was to put the engine
to her highest speed, and send Us whizzng
over an embankment at the first short
curve. We had gone nine miles already, |
although only thirteen minutes had passed
since we left H. nerved myself for
A final effort.
"'Come, said |, your secret is a Won
lerful one and now that | know it, will
give you all my help to carry out your
plan. But you have overlooked one i'm
oortant point. The tangent which will
Quickest bring us to what we are after
be directed from point as
lear as possible to the base Of the cone.
That point we cannot discern, unless you,
With your superior insight into the prin-
,iples involved. take position upon the
outside of the engine, and give M the sig
lal when to send her off,
"1he idea seemed to strike him.
"'Good better! best p he exclaimed,
tapping his hand, and shaking mine.
But mind, don't take your eyes of me ,
"'That I shan't,' | said, fervently, as he
pened the window, and made movement
S if to pass out upon the running board.
"My heart beat high again, but this
ime with hope and anticipation. Once
utside, he would be at my mercy long
nough for me to whistle down brakes,
hut off steam, and reverse the engine.
"Alas suddenly he turned, slam,ning {
he window, and then, glaring upon me ,
Ike demon, he Kissed:
"'You've betrayed me! What did | tell !
ou? I
81 trembled with horror
"'Come, come said no, l haven't.
10 ahead. See there's the curve just ,
head. Hurry, be quick, or the chance is |
onem
al say you've betrayed me, and I'm
ding to kill YOU heard you whisper {
nv secret a moment agon and he came (,
oward me with all the frenzy and savage 1
ruelty Of a maniac. {
".Now,' thought !, 'one last struggle for {
~ Ill ypp