The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1876-01-06

The fireman's S face grew pale when he
saw him, and he said something which
was connected with Hetty Netherlands
name.
He did not move until the engineer
emptied the glass and turned to go.
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
minute later was shaking lands with
Hetty on the engine.
For four years John Nixon had, to
all appearances, refraIned from drink
ing. Once liquor had cost him a good
situation on the road but his refOrma-
ton was so strong and praiseworthy,
that the company encouraged him by
restoring him to the mastery of the
Rigoletta.
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
could leave Stanton if Bradley was in
formed of his action. In such an
event his duties would devolve upon
the young fireman, who doubted his
ability to perform them satisfactorily.
The responsibility 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 suIlen 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 a secret from the
young fireman's heart. In a whisper
he narrated the scene in the groggery,
and told her the engine was under the
care Of a drunken man.
The fair cheeks grew pale at this,
( and Hctty's hand dropped upon her
/ lovers arm.
John, we must take the Rigoietta
safely to Hamiltonr' she said, with
ffrmness. Think! Our good Cover
nor is on board, and there are women
and children in the sleeping cars"
He nodded, and said, "Yes, Retty,"
without taking his eyes from the en-
T gineer.
eve ought to find signals in this
! fogl" she said, for, from her lover,
Hetty had learned much about the
iron track
! eff there be danger we will find
them," he answered her. The COVER
nor's presence insures the extra pre-
cautions, and l expect to hear the
signals before we reach Hamilton.
/ Why, in this awful fog, which seems
+ like a shroud of triple thickness, we
/ couldn't see a headlight fifty feet be-
/ fore US
/ 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 LEFTY and
/ turned to the tender.
"John, aren't we going fast enough
through this foG?" she said to the en-
I gineer, in a soft. half pleading tone.
"I'm the engineer of the Rigoletta," s"
he answered her, not harshly, but with
a smile.
"But the Governor is on board"
'He's no better than John NiXonp'
"John, we might collide with an
other 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,
"I'll run as 1 please if we burst the
/ boilerP'
Hetty with pallid 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.
Hes 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 and shiver, even then,
went the engine, growing as mad as
its drunken master.
Suddenly a strange report that seemed
to emanate from beneath the very
wheels of the engine fell upon the
lovers ear.
Julius Baird sprang to his feet.
"The fog signal!' he cried, and
lookedNat Nixon.
"What's up young man?" said the