Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1872-05-30
ON THE WINGS OF THE WIND.

I do not think / ever felt prouder in my
lie than ] did one morning when Mr..
Job P. Slogger, our locomotive boss"
accosted me as | was making ready the
milwaukee" to take the through train.
westward
"Well, George, heard the news? Guess
not, Ell? You amt got to run this route
again."
l turned pale, fearing had got into
some scrape; but | only said-"Why,
sirY'
"Why!" he repeated, smiling at my
scared looks" because you're put up in
Abel's place. You feel kinder spry, |
reckon?"
I did indeed feel "kinder spry," for
Abel first rate hand, had just been pro-
NOTED, with handsome doucem, for gal
liant conduct upon q certain occasion. |
was his companion upon that occasion;
and as the adventure was the cause of my
being made an engine-drivcr, | will, with
your permission, proceed to relate it with
out further preface. Soon after my ar
rival in the States, I succeeded in obtain
ing situation as fireman on one Of the
trunk lines. After time became asso-
cated with Abel Storer, who had the
reputation of first-class ehgine-driver,
though he was, to my taste, little too
reckless; and when in liquor" nothing
daunted him. From Abel, | heard many
tales respecting the encounters he had
had with "white lniuns," as he denomi-
mated certain filibustering gentlemen, who
had a playful habit of Disgusting them
selves as Indians, and carrying off any
species of ammunition contained in the
wagons. At times, indeed, believe they
did not hesitate to commit the most dread
full outrages under the guise of the war
paint.
One morning, about two months after
my having been appointed " fireman." we
got orders to take train down to Ian
derville. Abel was, accordingly, in great
hopes of shooting some " lnjuns," and
provided himself with a quantity of am
muniton for his six-shooter. |, more
sceptical, neglected this precaution. We
started, however, having quantity of
specie in boxes, some valuable stores, and
mixed cargo of emotions" in our charge.
We had received instructions to shunt at
Bunkum city for faster train with pas
sengers; and then Of it had not previously
run into us) to assist it up the steep incline
at that place, our train being subsequently
helped up by another locomotive.
We arrived at Bunkum, siding in safety
about five o'clock, and hearing nothing Of
the following train, replenished the en-.
CINE, and then proceeded to look for some
food for ourselves. We pitched upor
a small "store," where we managed tc
procure food, and some of the most fiery
stuff (miscalled whisky that ever tasted
Abel drank it greedily, however, while
devoted myself'to the food. We were OF
the eve of departure as two rough-lookinl
fellows entered, and demanded "liquor,
"taking stock" of us as they staggered
about. Seeing that Abel was becoming
more intoxicated, and recollecting tina
the passenger train must be due, | at
tempted to remove him, but one of tn
strangers, stepping forward, requested Il
to "liquor up" before we started. Abe
grunted drunken assent and |, not dar
ing to refuse, sat down while the "drink
was being prepared. During the concoc
ton of the "reviver," Abel kept wander
ing aimlessly about, swaying recklessl
against the tables, and when the glass wa
at length presented for my acceptance, h
lurched heavily against the stranger
Crash went the tumbler upon the fool
while, amid volley Of curses, dragge
the offender from the house, and manage
to regain the engine unmolested.
Anticipating we should be followed,
kept Abel's revolver in readiness, but afte
q time ] noticed two figures proceedin
in the direction of some log huts, whic
lay some distance down the line upon tn
left. AS the strangers disappeared owe
the brow of the hill, / turned my attentio
to Abel.
To my establishment, he responded
my first adiurations by saying, as he game
sitting posture" Darn them cusse
have they gone right away9"
For moment | stared in specific
surprise. "Why, | thought you WEI
drunk" l cried at length.
Drunk !" he echoed; "those fellow
would have had you on your back in
coon's jump but for me. know ther
the 'Injun thieves they're after o,
specie, my boy, as sure as shootin', b
I'll tail 'em the varmints. Which is Il
znoo;o ,uonon az