The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1875-12-25

missed o fair young girl tnat ne would
never step. He paused at the door,
which was open, aad looked between
the green stats of the shade into the
room.
at the counter, with glass Of bran.
dy, in his hand, stood the man for
whom he had been looking John Nix.
on, the engineer.
The freman's face grew pale when
he saw him, and he said something
which was connected with Hetty Nc
Farland's name.
He did not move until the engineer
emptied the glass and turned to 60.
Then Julius saw that his face was
flushed, and he hardly looked like the
same man.
He passed very near the young
watcher, whom the fog hid, and a min
ute later was shaking hands with Hetty
on the engine.
For four years John Nixon had, to
all appearances, refrained from drir.k-
ing. Once liquor had cost him good
situation on the road but his reforma-
tion was so strong and praiSeworthy,
that the company encouraged him by
restoring him to the mastery of the Ri
goletta.
Until that night no railroad man had
seen him lift the glass to his lips, and
Julius Baird, after witnessing what he
had, did not know what to do.
There were precious lives on the
train that trip, and it would require
good engineering TO carry them through
safely. He knew that Nixon would be
discharged before the train would leave
Stanton If Bradley would be informed
of his action. In sucn an event his
duties would devolve upon the young
fireman, who doubted his ability to pre-
form them satisfactorily. The re-
sponsibility was great, and then John
Nixon knew every mile of the road and
he could not be spared.
After long mental debate the fire.
man stepped upon the engine and sat
beside Hetty. He talked with her
pleasantly, mentioning not his fears,
but watched the engineer without
ceasing.
The train moved off after its usual
halt, and was soon rushing through the
dense fog.
The engineer conversed for a few
minutes when he became sullen and
stood in the door with his back to the
lovers.
"What's the matter with John ?"
asked Hetty, In a whisper.
Her question drew secret form the
young treman's heart. In a whisper
he narrated the scene in the goggery,
and told her the engine was under the
care of a drunken man.
The fair cheeks grew pale at this,
and Hetty's hand dropped upon her
lovers arm.
John, we must take the Rigoletta
safely to Hamilton |" shs said, with
firmness. think Our good Cover
nor is on board, and there arc women
and children in the sleeping cars
He nodded, and said, Yes IIetty,"
without taking his eyes from the en-,
gineer.
we ought to find signals In this
fogl" she said, for, from her lover,
Hetty had learned much about the iron
track.
"If there be danger we will find
them," he answered her. The COVER
nor's presence insures the extra pre-,
cautions, and expect to hear the sig
nails before we reach Hamilton. Why,
in this awful fog, which seems like
shroud of triple thickness, we couldn't
see headlight fifty-feet before u.s.
At that moment Nixon turned and
looked at the guage.
Then he threw open the furnace door,
"Wood |" he laconically said to the
fireman, who looked at Hetty and turn
ed toward the tender.
"John, aren't you going fast enough
through this fog % she said in soft,
half pleading tone.
"I'm the engineer of the Rigoletta,
he answered, not harsnly, but with a
smile.
"But the Governor is ON board"
"He's no better than John Nixon |"
John, we might collide with anoth-
er train"
"In which event the Rigoletta would
be knocked out OF shape. I've run
through worse fogs than this. and" in
a lower voice as he turned away, "l'll
run as please IL we burst the boiler"
Hetty with palIid face saw Julius
feed the furnace anew and reseat him
self at her side.
The speed Of the engine increased,
and John Nixon mad with brandy,
watched the pointers of the guage.
"Why don't Bradley ring him down
to slower time ?" asked Hetty.
"He's having good time with the
governors party, and then he's got all
the confidence in the world in John"
On. still on, through the cold fog that
made Hetty wrap her shawl about her
shoulders ana shlyer, even then, went
the engine, growing as mad as its drunk
en- master.
Suddenly a strange report that seem
ed to emanate from beneath the very
wheels of the engine fell upon the low,
er's ear.
Julius Baird sprang to his feet.
THE fog signal ~ lie cried, and
looked at Nixon.
whats up young man 2" said the
engineer, looking at him with wild eyes
that would have made some believe
that their owner was maniac. 4" Sit
down with your doll-faced girl. III
run the RIgoletta.
John, didn't You hear the fog sig.
male" a minute ago.