West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1877-09-22


melancholy strain, and at length came
the shrill scream of the engines whistle
outside, and then, very soon after. en-
tered Joe, smoky and begrimmed, but
all smiles and good humor.
-Four minutes late" said Mark.
glancing at the clock.
Yes; my fireman was taken sick at
the Cut above" said Joe, after kissing
his wife-as usual, "and1 made the run
from the last station alone. / don't
know what | am To do unless Bv
Jove! | have just thought of it-I can
get you To go on with me, Mark"
The company mightn't like it, Joe,
SAID Mark, with the. same strange, de
pressed smile.
In a case like this there's no choice.
| can not keep my train here all night,
and cant go on without fireman.
Come, I'll take the responsibility and
make it worth your while"
Jenny looked uneasy. Mark Maldon
rubbed his hands together in feeble,
imbecile sort of way, hesitatng.
'fThe company didn't treat me right"
ne replied; but that wasn't your fault,
Joe. Well, I'll help you out. | always
do friendly turn when can"
q" Good! There's the express now"
added Joe, as the whistle of No. 10
sounded, and the train went thundering
by. Let's get aboard at once. / must
make up for lost time"
" Very we'll; III just get my coat and
be on the engine in two minutes" And
Mark Maldon hurried out
"Good-by, Jennie" said Joe. az
must be of"
Joe" she hesitated, 81 half wish
you were not going to take that man"
Joe stared.
"Why?'
I" don't know. don't feel satisfied"
" Pshaw, Jennie! Mark never harmed
anyone but himself, and he couldn't
harm me if he wanted to. guess | run
the engine, don't |, little girl?'
" Please don't take him"
And keep my train standing here all
night and be discharged tomorrow
morningG" Nonsense! | must clear the
track, darling. You forget that there's
another express yet. You don't want a
collision, do you? Goodbye, Jennie"
Take care of yourself, joe" she said,
pale and troubled, and almost trying to
detain him. " Don't leave your engine
a minute"
He laughed.
9 never do. Against the rules"
A few minutes later freight No. %
was on its way, Joe at his accustomed
post and Mark in his old office of fire
man.
" Now, what's the instructions. Joe ?"
said Mark, much more cheerfully, his
spirits rising with the speed they were
making as they t1re along through the
dismal night.
Well, we go on hard rs we can till
we reach Clear Spring, there we pull
over to south siding and let No. so
express pass, and then we have the right
OF way all the rest of the route"
" After Clear Spring there is no sid
ing till we reach Apsley Junction, seven
miles beyond"
None. We wait sixteen minutes, if
necessary, at Clear Spring, replied Joe,
decisively.
"All right. By-the-way, I haven't
had drink to-day. ] brought a flask
along" said Mark producing the article
and unscrewing the top, which formed
cup. Take a nip-cold night-won't
hurt you"
Joe shook hishead.
never touch it when Pm on duty"
"Once and away won't hurt you, Joe
It's good stuff, and can't do you on
harm"
Well, perhaps one drink won't hurt.
Your health !"
He drank
Three minutes afterward he was as in
capable of exercising his faculties as if
he had swallowed a quart. His brain
reeled, his sight became dim his limbs
relaxed and he fell helpless upon the
bench built against the side of the little
cab.
Alurid triumph filed the eyes of Mark
Maldon. He flung the bottle out of the
window and seized the handle that
governed the movements of the locomo-
tive.
81 have owed you a long debt, Joe %
he shouted above the roar of the wheels.
8 and now ] can pay it with compound
interest You took everything from me
and made me what / now am, and now
fate gives me my revcngep
Joe was incapable of moving, but his
senses in some degree still remained.
What are you going to doY he
gasped.
" You shall see"
The wretch pulled the lever, and the
engine leaped suddenly as horse bounds
when pricked with spur. Every pound
of steam she could bear with safety from
instantaneous explosion was put on,
and the train dashed forward at light
ming speed.
Remember Clear Springs sidingW
| gasped Joe, hardly conscious.
shall remember TO pass itw yelled
| Mark, with demoniac Joy, above the clat.
/ ter and crashing Of such mighty
machinery. / looked into your home
tonight, Joe ThurstOn, and saw your
happiness, and then I asked myself
where was my home and where my hap
| piness / saw your wife--the woman
loved, and Of whom you robbed me. II
was a comfortable rehection-all that
love and peace for you, all the shame
and despair for me! My chance to gel
even came before / dreamed of it, You
are in my power now, and I'll luseit. We
both die tonight
lie stopped and seized Thurston'l
watch.
Every minute brings us nearer {,
death. Ha, hal We arc at ClearSprine
already" be cried, glancing out; bu
we don't stop. No, no, we go till W,
smash into heexpress, and be ground Z,
This horrible design seemed 70 soho
Joe somewhat; he at last comprebende,
MY Godl Marx, have mercy - b.
groaned; think Of my poor wife Re
/ vorso the eooinp or yyo ave fost 80