Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-06-16

WHO are you?
Ne he answ cred, with a quiet laugh
/ I'm a practical engineer, working in the in
terests Of science. I've studied for years,
and years, and years, and now | want 70
make an experiment Don't interrupt me l.,
He gave me another look, full of wild
I determination, and then burst into a fit Of
/ hilarious laughter.
''Good Good good = he cried. But
she'll do better, better, better, by-and-by
I Now-she flies p,
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 a moment, | sunk down in my seat
in utter despair. To measure strength with
the madman was, saw, simply suicidal. A
struggle could only result in certain destruc-
tiou to myself, and probable destruction to
the train and all on board of it. But
one possible chance Of regaining control of
the engine presented itself. and that would
require all the nerve and coolness ! had in
me- | must draw him into conversation,
and watch for my opportunity TO gain advan-
tage, either of his crcdulity or ms vanity.
sufficiently to induce him to give me his
place. Once there, must trust 70 Provi-
dencc and my own courage to prevent fur
ther mischief
4 scanned him closer than ever for a mo-
ment or two. lie seemed to have entirely
forgotten my presence; now jumping up
and laughing and clappinG his hands now
letting more steam on; now looking eagerly
cut ahead, and murmuring: Better, bet
ter. better still
Ny heart was humping againstm my chest
as | said
You seem to understand your business
pretty well, anyhow, my friend. Been long
at it3'
He looked at me, looked away again. but
did not answer.
4 see You are good, practical engineer,
as You say, continued. How long have
YOU been in the business
''Nears and years, and years, | tell You
he answered. It was | who fitted out Pc
gassus. the winged stecd. / who gave that
fellow, lcarus, the wax wings; but be few
too near old Sol, and they melted and let
him down into the water. la ha ha -
Il wish | only had your experience at 1t,
said | ; what a team we'd make together,
pulling in the cause of science, eh?'
A new light, an expression Of unspeaka-
bic delight, lighted up his face a., catching
my words he turned toward me and, looking
me full in the face. answered, but no longer
abstractedly;
Are YOU for science, too?
Science every inch of me o. said |.
''Giye US YOUR hand and he shook mine
with a fery0r which sent a tingle to my very
collar bone. 'Hurah for science You're
the man I've been searching for. with lln-
tern these thousand years. You can help
me But-and he leaned and whispered in
my ear, SO distinctly. that I could hear every
word and letter Of it above the racket around
us-can you keep a secretY
Certainly can, l replied, while a sort
Of creeping horror stole over me, as | felt his
hot breath upon my face.
''You swear You canT lie continued look
ing inquiringly into my face.
Swear can = | said with desperate el-
fort. looking back at him.
Because be grated out. between his
teeth, If thought you meant 60 betray me,
I'd tear your tongue OUT
Never fear one man Of science bctraying
another, | answered, with sickly attempt
at bravery. I'm your man j.
Well, then, mind what | say, said the
mailman, apparently rcassurei, and pulling
from his coat pocket a bunch Of dirty pa
pers. scrawlcf all over with lead pencil
marks. Here s my secret, the result of five
wears hard study. 10 YOU as a friend Of
science, | will impart it. But remember
your promise Z.
BY this time 1 felt terribly uneasy-not
only in apprehension Of my strange comTan-
ions intentions, but on account of the alarm
ing rapidity at which we were moving. The
madman was crafty enough 70 keep his po-
sition upon the foot-b0ard, 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 parabolic curve goes on to
infnity, and he held up one Of the soile1
scrawls before me, pointing oat the marks
with his long, claw-like fore-6nger, and
ininity 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 lOc0mOti0n, tends toward iutnitY.
lnfnity is unknown. The higher the speed,
consequently, the greater the proximity to
the unknown. Down where I've been study
ing, they wouldn't let me build my engine
to make this experiment with. So and
here his voice fell TO a h0rrid whisper again.
Il 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 Wen be ready for the
tangent; then infnity, and our fortune Is
made forever =
Il saw that hope was fast disappearing.
His intention plainly was to put the engine
to her highest speed, and send US whizzing
l..,,, a~ flr. first
We had gone nine miles already, although
only thirteen minutes had passed since we
left Il. | nerved myself for final ct-
fort.
Tome > said !, 'your secret Is a wonder
ful one, and now that ! know 1t, / will give
you all my help TO carry out your plan.
But you have overlooked your important
point The tangent which will quickest
bring us to what we are atter-infnity-
must be directed from point as near as pos
sib!e to the base Of the cone. That point we
cannot discern, unless you, with your supe-
rior insight into the principle involved, take
a position upon the outside Of the engine,
and give me the signal when to send her
off
The idea seemed to strike him.
GOOD better best . be exclaimed, clap
ping his hand, and shaking nine. But
mind, don't take your eyes off me :
That l shant, said, fervently, as he
opened the window, and made movement
as if to pass out on the running board.
NV heart beat high again, but this time
with hope and anticipation. Once outside,
he would be at my mercy long enough for
me to whistle down brakes, shut of steam,
and reverse the engine.
Alas suddenly he turned, slamming the
window, add then glaring upon me like
demon, he hissed
you've betrayed me! What did l tell
youY
4 trembled with horror.
ssCome, come, said mo haven't. Go
ahead. See there's the curve Just ahead.
Hurry, be quick or the chance is gone =
ii say you've betrayed me. and IN go
ing to xii you | heard you whisper my
secret moment ago. and he came toward
me with all the frenzy and savage cruelty Of
a maniac.
Now thought l. 'one last struggle for
life OF death, and mastering all my force, |
struck him a fearful blow, with my clenched
fist upon the forehead.
still he neared me. felt his long, bony
hands in my hair. | staggered. fell back
ward : my head struck against something
hard my eyes grew dim, and lay insensi-
ble'
The narrator paused for a moment, and
passed his great rough hand across bis fore
head, as if to drive away the terrible memo
ries his story had recalled. His companions,
mute with eager interest, only drew them
selves nearer as he resumed:
Il couldn't have lain there half an hour
for when | came to, the first object that
met nv view in the distant landscape was
the white tower Of the Methodist church in