The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-05-27
TWO MINUTES.

COil6uOW, dltuOuSu cdCu VI oSHulc' .
lovers kept a sharp eye on the other, yet
both found opportunities to propose. She
accepted Joe, and when she informed
Marx next nignt what she had done he
+ turned pale, and then he congratulated
her, and wben he got on his engine he
was unsober.
1t was the beginning of his ruin; aud
on the night Joe and Jennie were mar
.1Tied-Whic was but brief ceremony,
as Joe was pressed for time-Mark was
not in q condition to take his place on
the train, and on the day following the
company dispensed with his future SER
vices.
: From that time Mark, as the express
sion is. went to the bad. His little saw
ings he proceeded rapidly to drink up,
and this dissipation made the usual
changes, and soon, in appearance, man.
ners, speech, and the rest, he was u diff
ferent man.
Matters went ON much as usual till
one evening IN October, when about ten
O'CLOCK, looking up from her sewing,
Jennie beheld II pallid face at the Win
dow staring in AZ her intently.
Something jumped into her throat, and
she could not stir or speak. But then the
lace went away, ndpresently Marx came
IN.
Didn't know me?" he said, advanc-
ing and leaning across the counter. 81
hope you are not frightened, Jennie. IL
was thougntless in me; but just want
ed peep at tre-side comfort, happi-
ness 1 tear l have missed, eh? Joe is
due pretty soon now, isn't he"' He
glanced at the clock and nodded, and
| Then said, ''Pye felt awtully tired and
cold all the evening, and-and lone
some. / don't beiieve l ever knew my
| self to be 80 lonesome belore;" ana lie
laughed in melancholy way, tiddling
| at the same time with Inc scales on the
counter. 'And | declare," he continued,
giancing around oddly. ''this is sucn a
pretty scene That lit makes my neart
ache, Jennie, to think l have no part in
it. The pleasant glow OF the chimney
corner for Joe, and the cold and snow
for Mark. Such is late, ana Fellow
oughtn't to complain"
Jennie never felt SO uncomfortable
in her lite. She was not afraid OF him
any longer; but she wished he would go.
| Still he stood there, talking in the same
melancholy strain; ana at length came
the shriIl scream OF the engines whistle
outside, and then, very soon after, en-
tered Joe, smoky land begriined, shut
all smiles and good humor.
"Four minutes late" said Marx, ,glanc-
ing at the clock.
the cut aDove," said Joe, after kissing
his wife as usual, sand made the run
| from the last station alone. don't know
what am to do--unless-by Jove! just
thought of i'll can get you TO ~ on,
Mark"
..rhe company mightn't like it, Joe,n
| said Mark, with the same strange, de-
pressed smile.
ain case like this there's no choice.
I can't keep my train here all night, anu
Ill can't 20 on without a fireman. Come,
FIJI take the responsibility, and make it
worth your while."
i Jennie looked uneasy. Mark. rubbed
II his hands together III u feeble, imbecile
sort of way, hesitating what to do.
"rhe company didn't treat me right"
he continued; "but that was not your
fault, Joe. Well, pil help you out. / al
ways do a friendly turn when can."
sGood! There's the express now"
added Joe, as the whistle OF No. 10
sounded, and the train went laundering
by. "Let's get aboard at once. must
make up for lost time.
i. VERY well; I'll just get on my coat
and be on the engine in Two minuLes." .
4 "Good-bye, Jennie," said Joe; II must
: be Off"
"Joe." she hesitated, 81 half wish
you were not going to take that man
, along"
Joe stared.
"WhyW
!. 81 don't know. l don't feel satisfied" ;"
aPshawI Jennie. Mark never harmed
any enc but himself, and he could not
harm me il he wanted to. l guess run
the engine, don't l, little onep'
"Please don't take him."
, "And keep my Train standing here all
on1 ho dicohprUpd fo.norro IA
! morningp Nonsense! j must clear tine
track, darling. You forget there's all.
other express vet. You don't want q
. collision, do you? Goodbye, Jennie"
t'rake care OF yourself, Joe," she said
pale and troubled, and almost trying to
, detain him. Don't leave your engine a
| minute"
ri He laughed.
II never do. Against the rules"
A few minutes later freight No. 80 was
, on its way, Joe at his accus toned post
, and Mark In his old Office OF fireman.
snow what's the instructions, Joe :''
said Mark, much more cheerfuiiy, his
spirits rising with the speed they were
, making as they tore. along through the
dismal night.
II "Weil, we 20 on here as we can till
! we reach Clear Spring, and there we
, pull over to the south siding ana let No
81 express pass, and then we have the
, right OF way all the rest of the route"
..After Clear Spring there is no siding
, until we reach Apsiey Junction, sever
miles beyond"
"None. We wait sixteen minutes il
, necessary, at Clear Spring." replied Joe
, decisively.
"Ali right. By-the.way, I haven't hat
drink to-day. brought a flask along
/. said Mark, producing the article and un
screwiny the top, which formed a cup
} Take nip. Cold night; won't hurI
: you."
Al Joe shook his head.
81 never touch it when Pm on duty"
"Once and away won't hurt you, Joe
} It's good stun, and can't do you any
( narm."
"Weil, perhaps one drink won't hurt
J Your health"
He drank. Five minutes afterwards
be was IS incapable OF exercising his
> faculties as II he had swallowed a quart
His brain reeled, his sight became dim