Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-09-25

smiles and good humor.
-Four minutes late, said Mark. glan-
cling at the clock.
"Yes my fireman was taken sick at
the Cut above, said Joe. after kissing
his wife as usual, "and | made the run
from the last station alone. dom know
what I'm to do-unless-by Jove l
just thought of i'll can get you to 60
on with me, Mark"
The company mightn't like it. Joe, +"
said Mark, with the same strange, de-
pressed smile.
''In case like this there's no choice.
| can't keep my train here all night and
| can't 60 without fireman. Come. I'll
take the responsibility, and make it
worth your while"
Jennie looked uneasy. Mark Maldon
rubbed his hands together in a feeble,
imbecile sort of way, hesitating.
The company didn't treat me right, :"
he replied ''but that wasn't your fault,
Joe. Well. I'll help you out l always
do a friendly turn when | can
"Good There's the express now, ."
added Joe, as the whistle of No. 20
sounded, and the train went laundering
by. Lets get aboard at once l must
make up for lost time"
Very well !; I'll just get on my coat
and be on the engine in two minutes -
and Mark Maldon hurried out.
Goodbye. Jennie" said Joe, al
must be off,
"Joe," she hesitated, 81 half wish you
were not going with that man.
Joe stared.
"Why ?"
Il don't know. l don't feel satisfied. >
'Pshaw Jennie. Mark never harm.
ed one but himself, and be couldn't harm
me any if he wanted to. guess 1 rur
the engine, don't l, little girl %
''Please don't take him.
"And keep my train standing here al
night, and be discharged tomorrow morn
ing ? Nonsense ! l must clear the track
darling. You forget that there's anoth
er express yet. You don't want a col
lisiOn, do you? Goodbye, Jennie.
"Take care of yourself, Joe, she said
pale and troubled, and almost trying t
detain him. Don't leave your engine
minute"
He laughed.
Il never do. Against the rules
A few minutes later freight No. g.
was on its way, Joe at his accustome
post, and Mark in his old Office of fire
man.
Now, what's the instructions, Joe :?
said Mark, much more eheerfully, hi
spirits rising with the speed they wei
making as they tore along through th
dismal night
well, We 90 on hard as We can ii
we reach Clear Spring, and there v
pull over to the south siding and let n,
so express pass, and then We have tt
right of the way all the rest of the route.
: After Clear Spring there is no sidir
till we reach Apsley Junction, seve
miles beyond ?"
! None. We wait sixteen minutes,
= necessary, at Clear Spring" replied 10
: deeislvely.
"All right By the way. | haven
| had drink to-day. l brought fla;
4 along" said Mark, producing the ART
e Gle and unsereWlng the top, which forr
e ed cup. Take a nip. Cold night
won't hurt you.
Joe shook his head
7 Il never touch it when I'm on duty
z ''Once and away won't hurt you. II
good stuff, and can't do you harm"
well. perhaps one drink won't hui
4 Your health -
He drank. Three minutes afterwa
y be was as incapable Of exercising
h faculties as if be had swallowed qua
4 His brain reeled, his sight became di
his limbs relaxed and he fell elplt
Is upon the bench built against the side
- the cab.
/, A lurid triumph filled the eyes
= Mark Maldon. He flung the bottle G
of the window, and seized the hanC
: that governed the movement Of the lo
m motive.
d Il have owed you long debt. Joe
.o be shouted above the roar Of the whee
D. land now l can pay it with cOmpOu
interest You took everything from 4
and made me what | am, and now f
10 gives me my revenge !"
" Joe was incapable Of moving. but
n senses in some degree remained.
he What are you going to do -
ye gasped.
a ..You shall see.
e. The wretch pulled the lever. and
" engine leaped suddenly as horse bOul
O. when pricked with spur. Every pOu
n Of steam she could bear with safety Fl
e. instantaneous explosion was put On, l
A. the train dashed forward at lightn
. speed
ak "RemeInber Clear Spring siding
Mt gasped Joe. hardly conscious
- - ,.ann - 80