Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-05
pailp ARGUS.
MY ELOfEMENT.

night"
"The cher referred to was the Ariel, and
one of the stAunchest and fastest passenger
engineers that ever "jerked" train, and Jim
was my "stoker."
"AIi right, Jack, he answered, as step
ped down from the cab and started toward
town.
1t was Just dark, of q cold, stormy No
vemb Der day, and if ever there Was happy
man il 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 with an ons
Taught upon mine hosts Cuisine, when my
stoker, the best fellow that ever lived, only
a little wild, at times, came rushing into the
room
"l'll be blowed if hAin't half a mind to
let you finish the job" said he, I'D give
half dollar II | could ca, like that"
And he stepped back and gszed with ad-
mirstion at my display OF talent for-estng |
when hungry.
"Come, what's up?" l asked, holding up
the half q biscuit and preparing 70 follow
up the success, with the other half
Good Heavens, Jack how often do you
eAt?" he asked, but without waiting for
reply, he added 'but P'e got 10 stop you
now, for old Maylord il down in the station,
swearing like = marine because you got the
start Of him, add got away before he saw
YOU"
Maylord was the superintendent, and |
knew aa'mething WAS wrong some where
NeVerthe less, 1 replied
Tell hun that | will be down after sup
per"
THAT won't do, Jack. You've got 20
catch the express, and she's been gone
twenty minutes nov. We've got the engine l
out of the house. and all fred up. She'll be
blowing up by the time we get back"
I will not say that | uttered any Augry
words, but something stuck very hard in my
throAt-half biscuit, | suppose. | seized
a pie from the table and tossed it to jim,
who, | knew, had not been 20 supper, and
then | went for my hat and started.
found Msylord pacing to and fro in the
storm of snow aud sieet; and growing like
huagvy dog.
Can you catch ths express before she
reaches town ?" he asked harriedly.
II can try. Bat shy not telegraph p
That's the mischief Of it," he snsrled.
"The wires are down
"Well, speak lively for there is no time
to fool away" said I, not remarkably good
humorsd a. the prospect. Moreover,
had so particular liking for John Msylord
Esq.
lie whipped letter from his pocket and
gave it 10 me.
Catch the train aud give this letter to
conductor Adams. Whatever be gives you,
bring back to me without delay"
Now Ihere was something mysterious
about this, bot, so far, had no right 10
question, so turned TO jim and asked
him If he had taken water.
Not drop, jack
"Never nlud the water cried May lord
you have enough to run down
Mr.. Maylord, | AN running this engiAe,
] replied, and / can't run It without water,
II you can, just take my place
He turned away with something very
much like an oath, sni | backed up to the
tank house.
just as stopped, veied lady spreng
lightly into the cab.
you must let me 60 with you, she wbis-
peEed, and thsn stepped further into the
shadow, 80 that my fireman might not see
her.
was amazed al her sudden appearance
and strange request; bat before | could re
ply, abe threw aside her veil revealing the
beautiful tGce Of Nellie Mayord.
why, Miss Mas lord, you cannot mean
it ~ l exclaimed yet at the same time
hoped that It was so for to tell the truth.
Jack Everett was IN love with her. o. course
nobody but myself knew this, and | had
hitherto been content with g smile aud
word, which she often gave me. notwjih
standing her fathers trowus. To have hgr
so near me, and TALKING sith me, Lifted ne
up 10 the top shelf Of hopeful bliss.
IL must 60, Mr. Everest said she, u
know it must seem strange 10 you. hut ~heu
one is in dagger, Que must do arrange things
to escape
"In danger
ayes, 10 danger; and | rely On you &, save
me"
As she said this, .be lifted her iustrous
eyes to mine and gave me a look which
surprised me out OF my usual prudence, and
replied:
~ will protec! you with uy life if need be
for love you better than my own"
could not see her face then, for she
had turned it away, and frightened at what
! had done, FASTENED to ASK her forgive
ness.
"Tu, tut r. said she, placing her hand
over my mouth. III that is true, you will
surely let me 90 with you, for fate
worse than death awaits me here. Say
yes"
And what else could ssy2
All this took place while j I'm WAS a. the |
back end Of the tender taking in water, and !
when he came forward to the cab, Nellie
was demurely perched upon my seat l gave
him the hint to keep mum, and pulling up
on the throttle we started on our wild night
ride
How the old Arie. few over the iron par
Allels Accustomed as | WAS to the noble
engine, yet sometimes quRked with sudden
terror and shut oil the steam. | was think
ing of Nellie, then, and life never seemed so
sweet before. Then, as the speed slAckened,
l would give my noble steed the rein again,
and true to the touch, she would leap ahead
like thing Of ife-pRst houses, villages
and towns, seen ahead for q second, and
then far behind as. All the while / stood
by Nellie. with one hand upon the throttle
and the other upon the reversing lever, peer.
ing ahead upon the track illuminated by the
Ariel's headlight.
dared not look at Nellie, for al our lives
depended upon my vigilance. knew not
what moment might Ovsrtake the train, 30
stood with her 80 near me, yet so far from
me. Sometimes l spoke to her, and she
would nut her lips TO my ear to reply.
Again her little hand would clasp my arm
"a sped over some rough piece of the
road that threatened to shake the iron mon
ster to pieces, but word would reassuye
her.
At length, in turning a curve, / saw the !
red light on the rear of tho express, and 80
suddenly that, had / not been on my guard
there would have been one less passenger
coach on the road and who can tell where
Jack Everett would have been? But was
pre- pared, and there was no danger.
My whistle was recognized, for there was