The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1871-07-27
MY ELOPENLENTs
An Engineers Story of Love
on the Rail.

house tO-night.
The cher" referred to was the
Ariel, one of the staunchest and
fastest passenger-engines that ever
.ierked' a train, and Jim was my
'stoker.'
"All right, Jack" he answered,
as I stepped down from the cab and
started toward town.
1t was just dark, of a cold, stormy
November day, and if ever there
was a happy man, it was myself
jack Everett, seated, ten minutes
later, in the warm dining room,
with plenty of time and stoaming
supper at my disposal.
| But this happiness was too great
to be lasting. I was but half
through with my onslaught upon
mine hosts cai8ine, when my
stoker, the best fellow that ever
lived, only a little wild at times,
came rushing into the room,
"I'll be bIowed if I hain't half
mind to let you finish the job,"
said he. "I'd give half a dollar if
l could eat like that"
5gAnd he stepped back, and gazed
with admiration at my display Of
talent for-eating when hungry.
"Come, come what's up ?"I ask
ed, holding up the half of biscuit,
and preparing to follow up the sue
cess with the other half.
"Good heaveus, Jack how often
do you eat ?" he asked f.; but without
giving me time to reply, he added,
"But rve got to stop you now, for
old Maylord is down to the station,
swearing like a marine because you
got the start Of him, and got away
before he saw you"
Maylord was the Superintendent,
and 1 knew something was wrong
somewhere. Nevertheless I re-
piled
"Tell him I'll be down after sup
per-"
"That won't do, Jack. You've
got to catch the express, and she's
been gone twenty minutes now.
We've got the engine out of the
house, and all fred up, She'll be
blowing by the time we get back. "
I will not say that I uttered any
angry words, but something stuck
very hard in my throat-half a
biscuit, l suppose. l seized a pie
from the table and tossed it to
jim, who, knew, had not been to
supper, and then went for my hat,
and started.
found MayIord pacing to and
fro in the storm Of snow and sleet
and growing like hungry dog.
"Can you catch the express be-
fore she reaches town ?" he asked
hurriodly.
81 can try it, but why not telo.
graph 2''
"That's the mischief of it." he
snarled. "The wires are down"
"WeII, speak lively, for there is
no time to fool away" said I, not
remarkably good humOred at the
prospect. Moreover, I had no very
particular liking for John MayIord,
Esq.
He whipped a letter from his
pocket and gave it to me.
"Catch the train, Jack, and give
the letter to Conductor Adams
| Whatever he gives you bring back
to me without delay"
Now there was something quite
mysterious about this. but so far, ]
had no right to question, so turned
to Jim and asked him if he had
taken water.
mary a drop, Jack"
"Never mind the water ~ cried
Maylord. "You have enough tc
run down"
"Mr. Maylord, 1 am running thil
engine," replied, "and 1 can't rur
it without water. IF you can, just
take my place"
He turned away with something
very much like an oath, and I back
ed up to the tank-house.
just as I stopped, vailed lady
sprung lightly into the cab.
"You must let me go with you,
she whispered, and then stepped
further into the shadow, that my
fireman might not see her.
I was amazed at her sudden ap
pearance and strange request; but
before I could reply, she threw
aside her veil, revealing the beauti
full face Of Nellie Maylord.
"Why, Miss MayIord you canno
mean it' I excIaimed-yet at tn
same time hoped that she did-for
to tell the truth, Jack Everett wa
in love with her. OF course nobod
J. knew it but myself, aad l had hithel
: to been content with a smile or
If word, which she often gave me, no
withstanding her fathers frownt
S To have her so near me, and talk
!: ing with me, lifted me up to the to
j shelf of hopeful bliss.
81 must go, Mr.. Everett" sal
she. Il know it may seem strang
J" to you, but when Que is in dange
one must do strange things to e.
l. l. cape"
"In danger ?"
"Yes. And 1 rely on you to say
IN me-"
. As she said this. she lifted ht