The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1871-11-28

hhoW9hoe ao "nat uouout HiSuI over
take the train, so l stood with her so
near me, yet so far from me. Sometimes
l spoke to her, and she would put, her
lips TO my ear to reply. Again her little
handswould clasp my arm as / sped over
somesrough piece of road that threatened
to shake the iron monster to pieces, but
a word would reassure her.
At length, in turning a curve, I saw
the redt}ight in the rear of the express,
and SO suddenly, that had l 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 kbeen?' But l was prepared, and
thereSxas no danger
Ny whistle was recognized, for there
was not another one like it on the road !;
and, no doubt, wondering what had sent
the riel after them, they. stopped fer
"Well, I'm beat" exclaimed Charley
Adams, the conductor. What's in the
wind, now, Jack p
For reply l gave him the letter, ~
"W he W! Here, Jack, see what you
make of it,"
] held the missive up to tile light and
read: ~
CONDUCTOR ADAMS: My daughter,
Nellie Maylord, is running away from
her home. l have reason to believe she
is on your train, Send her back to me
on the Ariel, in charge of Everett. Use
force if necessary. JOHN MAYLoRD"
] think l gave a longer and more en-
phatic whistle than Charley.
"There's some mischief at the bot
tom of this" said 1.
Exactly, Jack; and if she were on
my train l would not use force to send
her back to the old hunk-nary a bit. |
would take her the other way and keep
mum"
"Then, Charley, 1 will put her aboard
your train and send her along She is
in my cab. now
Charley gave vent to sn expression
more forcible than elegant, and after l
told him how I csme to have Nellie
here, wrote on the back of John May
lords letter:
"MIDwAY BETWEEN c. and Al
Nov. II; 1l,30 p. IN.
JOHN MAYLoRD, Esq The Ariel has
overtaken me, and l have your commu-
nication. Miss Nelii, Maylord is not on
my train, nor has she been on it this
trip. CHAs ADAMS"
"There. Jack; that. does not tel him
that she will rot be on. Now let US hus,
tie or I shall not make time
The transfer WAS quickly made, but
not without some regret on my part, land
l started back.
John Maylord was waiting for me-
"Where is she?" he asked, jumping
into the cab.
1 feigned ignorance and passed him
the letter.
Some prodigious oaths escaped from
his lips, but as they were not directed to
me, l had nothing to say. Then he hur-
riedly left me.
This was not the last of it, however.
| was put through course of question
ing the next day that would have done
credit to criminal lawyer, and, il l do
not mistake, John Maylord went home
none the wiser.
l met Charley Adams, too.
Jack" said he, "you have won her
everlasting gratitude, not to use stron.
ger term. 1t was close rub, though
Old Maylord-he's only her uncle, after
all-was determined to marry her to old
Silver, and ss she had not lived quite
long enough to be her own mistress
she was one day short-she couldn't do
better than to run away. The danger is
all over now, and she can choose for
herself.
"Be,ter go up IS aeon as you can
Here is her address And Jack, my boy,
there are two things you mustn't forget
that she has got cool hundred thou
sand, and your humble servant when the
wedding comes off,
1t is needless to say that went up;
even at the risk of losing the Ariel, and
l had good success up there. While
John Maylord was turning the adjacent
country upside down in search Of Mel
lie, very quietly married her.
Perhaps John Maylord was not mad
when he heard Of it, but he passed over
Nellies property without a murmur,-
But l did not run the Ariel any more,
and Nellie now has the love l once felt
for my noble engine, and that other love
besides 1t is not more than she de-
Serves