The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-11

danced, and went on generally after the
manner of this class of Irish when
there is poor soul taking it's departure.
Jimmy was crouohed on the foot of the
ped, but at sight of me sprang forward
with glad cry. hnrriedly stated my
errand, and attempted to beat retreat.
ont Mrs. MCCARTHY had heard my name,
ana In faint voice showered blessings
upon me Tor coming to lake care of poor
little Jimmy, and learn him to be an en-
g'neer. and, jamie" she said, over
ana over, II shall watch over you, up
,here' ana II there is any danger I shall
iet you know it." Her anxiety for this
noy seemed to be her only care in leaving
the world, which had been one of trouble
ior her. And now she insisted he should
go with me at once. Under different
circumstances, should have hesitated
about taking him from his mothers
death-bed, but then it seemed the kind.
est thing could do.
IL shall live until you come back ut
daylight, Jimmy" she said, and we
made tho best of our way back to the
engine, to find that in my absence thew
had looked over the train, and found q
tire broken to one of the cars which was
loaded with valuable liquors, and we had
no alternative but to leave it. scented
mischief, and whispered my suspicious
to tho conductor, but he only laughed at
my fears; said the car was new, and was
locked and sealed, and even so big a
devil as Weisbrunt couldn't do much
harm with broken leg.
so, at exactly 10 O'Clock at night, wo
started for the Junction, where ne turned
round, took wood and water, ate square
menl, hitched on to another express
freight. and started back, making O round
trip as soon as possible, and then LAYING
over for twenty-four hours.
Everything went finely, the engine
never worked better, and at exactly 8 in
the morning we stopped as usual on our
! return, at Kasson, q little station ten
miles from Eyota, for wood.
1t was raining like great guns. 1 had
looked over one side of my machine and
going round the front end, saw an old
Irish woman leaning wearily against the
wood-pile. wondered at her presence
there at that time of night, and as she
stood directly within the radius of the
bulls eye, noticed her brown petticoats
and clumsy shoes, the plaid shawl crossed
over her bosom, her white cap front and
the handkerchief arranged so ns to hide
all OF her face, but the dull, heavy, blue
eyes, which followed my every move
ment.
Something about the look struck me
unpleasantly, and gave me chilly, un-
easy sensation. for which 1 blamed my
self and called myself nervous. and get
ting down the opposite side, out of the
range of those leaden eyes, I finished
my oiling, and made all ready for start.
ing. After we were we'll under way,
chanced to look behind me, and there,
leaning against the tender-box. was that
same old woman.
was mad for moment Jimmie is
putting on airs" said to myself. II
shall have to give him lesson in humi.
lity. if he takes on dead-heads at this
early stage of his career. will not stop
to put her of I will only give him to
understand the came thing must not hap
pen again" She did not seem to mind
the rain at ell; and as Jimmie passed and
repassed her, intent upon his duties. they
seemingly took not the slightest notice
of each other.
It was straight bit OF rond, with as
good track as any on the line. and, as
was my ouaton here, was running very
fast, and as I glanced round from time
to time, those strange, dull eyes never
HoNS N"os "ASA sdOAA AACoS okOuJ btAC6.
began to grow uneasy, and the cold
ohills went creeping down my spine.
The time was comparatively but few
minutes, but it had seemed hours to me,
when. all at once, she sprang forward
and called out. "Stop, for your lifel"
and instantly swung herself down on the
step. Good God!'' I cried, ''she will
be killed." "Who?" said Jimmie. II
saw no one." Looking down, caught
a glimpse of her, standing as no human
being could stand, after jumping FROM q
rapidly moving train.
The handkerchief was gone from her
tnce, and recognized Mrs. McCarthy as
l had seen her score of times. re.
versed the engine and We went forward,
to find the rails torn up and chained
across the wny in such mnnner as would
have thrown NE down the precipice into
the river. We went OH to the station,
and, after considerable time and trouble.
found out the whole nefarious plot.
Weisbrunt was the leader of the band of
robbers, and they made Eyota their
headquarters, as it was easy Of access to
the river. and they could carry away
their plunder by means OF boats and
roftQ I1Q ho1 .,:&I> Al. 1.>