Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1873-12-03
dNistellanu.
Wv ElOpement.
8 Jim, you may take her into the hou

one Of the staunchest, fastest passenger
engines that ever "jerked" a train, and
JIM was my stoker.
All right, jack" he answered. as 7
stepped down from the cab and started
toward the town.
It was just dark, of a cold stormy No
vomber day, and if ever there was hap.
py man, it was myself, Jack Everett, seat.
ed ten minutes later, in the warm dining
room with plenty of time, and a steam
ins supper at my command But this hap
plness was too great to be lasting. | was
but half through my onslaught on mine
hosts cuisine, when my stoker, the best
fellow in the world, only little wild at
times, came rushing into the room.
I'll be blowed if l amt halt mind
to let you finish the job" said he. I'D
give half dollar ifI could eat like that"
And he stood back and gazed with ad
m.rltion at my display of talent for eating
when hungry.
Come, come, what's up?" L asked,
holding up the half of biscuit, and pre-
pairing TO follow up the success with the
other half.
Good heaven, Jack how often do you
eat ~ he asked, but without giving me
time to reply, he added
" But I've got to stop you now. for old
Mayiord Is down to the station swearing
ike marine, because you got the start of
him, and got away before he saw you"
Mayord was the superintendent, and as
| knew something was wrong somewhere, [
replied
Tell him will be down after supper"
That won't do, Jack. You've got to
catch the express, and she has been gone
twenty minutes now. We've got the engine
out of the house, and all fired up. She'll
be blowing up by the time we get back"
will not say that uttered very angry
words, but something struck very hard in
my throat-half biscuit, suppose.
seized an apple from the table and tossed
il to Jim, who knew had not been to sup
per, and then | went for my hat and start
ed.
found May lord pacing to and fro il
the storm of snow and sleet, and growing
ike hungry dog.
Can you catch the express before she
reaches town.
q can try, but why not telegraph p
asked.
That's the mischief of it" he snarled
The wires are down"
Well, speak lively, for there's no tim
to fool away said |, not remarkably goot
humored at the prospect. Moreover,
had no very particular liking for Johl
Maylord, Esq
lie took letter from his pocket an
gave it to me.
8 Catch the train, Jack, and give th
letter to Conductor Adams. Whatever b
gives you bring back to me without delay
Now there was something quite mysteriou
about this but, so far, had no right t
question, so [ turned to Jim and aske
MIN if he had taken any water.
8 Nary drop, Jack"
Never mind the water" cried May
lord. You have enough to run down
Mr. Maylord, | am running this Ell
gine and can't do it without water. If yo
can just take my place.
He turned away with some thing lik
an oath, and backed up to the tank house
Just as L stopped a yelled lady spran
up lightly into the cab.
You must let me 90 with you," sh
whispered, and then stepped farther bac
into the shadow, so that my fireman migF
not see her.
was amazed at her sudden appearance
and strange request but before L coul
reply, she drew aside her veil, revealln
the beautiful face of Nellie Mayord.
Why, Miss Maylord you cannot mes
it -" l exclaimed-yet at the same tin
really hoped that she did for to tell tn
truth, Jack Everett was in love with he
Of course no one knew it but myself, al
had hitherto been content with sml
or word, which she often gave me, no
withstanding her fathers frown. To ha'
her 50 near to me, lifted me up to the tt
shelf Of hope.
/ must 90, Mr.. Everett said she, q
know it may seem strange to you, but wh
cue Is in danger, one must do s;ran
4 things to escape"
4 In danger ?"
1 Yes, and want you to save me-
4 As she said this, sac lifted her lustro
4 eyes to me, and gave me look that su
A prised me out of my usual prudence.
4 replied
q Twill protect you with my life, if ne
4 be, Tor love you better than my own"
Il could not see her face then, for S
4 had turned it away, and frightened
! what had done, [ FASTENED to ask
Il forgiveness.
4 Tut Tut ~ she said, placing her ha
over her mouth If that is true y
4 surely will let me go with you, for Fl
worse than death awaits me here. >
n yes
And what could | say.
All this took place while jim was
the back end of the tender taking In wat
and when he came back to the cab Me-
was demurely seated upon my seat.
4 gave him the hint to keep mum, and P
lng open the throttle, away we started
cur Wild night ride.
How the old Ariel flew over the /
parallels Accustomed as L was to
noble engine, yet L sometimes qua
4 With sudden terror, and shut OFT the ste'
was thinking Of Nellie then, and
never seemed so sweet before. Then,
the speed slackeneG, would give my M
steed the rein again, and, true to the tor
sac would leap ahead like thing OF
past houses, villages and towns,
ahead for a second, and far behind US.
All the while l stood by Nellie,
one hand on the throttle and the othe
the reversing lever, peering ahead on
4 track, Illuminated by the Arlel's hi
q light
dared not look at Nellie, for our |
q depended on my vigilance. l knew
When | might overtake the train,