The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-11-22

IN which they had sought shelter.
| The car was going-carrying them
away he knew not where.
As the truth forced itself upon him he
hurried to the door and found it closed
and locked. That accounted in a meas
ure for the darkness of the place, though
he fancied it must be growing dark with
cut Pulling and shaking were in vain,
and he raised his voice in long, loud
shout, that was nevertheless, lost III the
ja1 and noise Of the Gathering train.
Only Oak heard it, and started up fright
ened, as he made his way back to her
side.
"Jem oh Jem! where are we?'
cts mesilf can't be tellin' We that,
dear. We're off on thrip all unbe-
knOwnst to ourselves travelin' wherever
the same takes u.s." he answered, rue
fully.
"What is it? where are we going? and
what makes it dark?' she asked, bewil-
dered. Then, suddenly recollecting, ex-
claimed: 20 Jem, did the car startf'
"Sure it did, without liver sayin' by
yer lave, the oncivil crather.' replied
Jem, with desperate effort at cheerful
ness for the sake Of the child.
In truth, however, the more he reviewed
the situation the more troubled he grew.
To the uncertainty of their own wherea-
bouts when the train would STOP and
when they would be released, were added
thoughts of the anxiety of those at home.
He thought of the watching, Of the pain
full apprehension that would be felt when
search should be made, and the horse and
wagon found, and all the fears to which
he would give rise. Jem grew almost
wild as he thought.
Oak began to cry, and his attention was
drawn to her. Little comfort as he found
for himself in the prospect before them,
he tried to comfort her. Night was fall
ing, and it grew darker, and darker in
the old Car, until they could see each 9th
er's faces no more. Little Oak, wearied
out with weeping, grew silent at last, and
nestled closer to Jem's side. He put his
arm protectingly around her, and SO they
rode on in the gloom.
After time-it had seemed to Jenkal-
most interminable-the came an extra
jolting and Earring, and the train stopped.
He rushed to the door and knocked and
beat upon it, shouting to be released; but
no one came Outside was such putting
of steam, ringing of bells, running to and
fro, and so many different calls, that
amidst all the confusion poor Jem's voice
was unheard or unheeded. Soon the train
was in motion again; aud he CROPPED his
way back to the little girl, disappointed
and disheartened. At various stopping
places Jem renewed hts attempt, but with
like result, and it seemed to him that
they did not stop often.
Must be jist skippin' by stations wild
out any regard to EN-" he muttered.
So the long night dragged on in roar
and rattle and darkness. Despite her I'M
comfortable seat, and the fear and home
sickness that were pressing sore at her
heart, Oak, wearied out. grew sleepy
again, and her head rested more and
more heavily upon Jem's shoulder He
once more folded his coat into pillow
for her use.
Jem kept watch beside her through
the long hours-the longest he had ever
known-and he murmured to himself
drearily that they "must have got tosome
country where the nights have dale
more lin'th to 'em than they does at
home" But the gray dawn came. at last
without, and very slowly the increasing
light began to find its way into the cid
car. It was still dark and gloomy there,
however, when once more the train
stopped. Jem sprang to his feet again
to make another effort to attract atten
ton and obtain release, but scarcely had
he reached the door when he heard a key
turning In the lock, and in a moment the
door was thrown wide open, admitting
the first bright rays of the morning sun,
and also the astonished face of the official
whose eyes opened wide with wonder, as
they fell upon Jem
What on earth are you doing here?''
he demanded.
"Waitin' for the door to open; an it's
been long job intirely. seem I've been
all night at it," responded Jem.
And how came you locked in.'
''Sure you ought to know" Jem re-
torted, growing little bellgerent as he
remembered his long imprisonment
"More'n likely twas yerself as did the
lockinr'
Il locked the door, anyhow, and you
could not have got in afterward,' an
swered the man, musingly-more as il
speaking to himself than to lem. But
halo, little girl, too?" as Oak aroused
bp the sound of voices, sat up and looked
toward them. swell. you are pretty
freight! When did you get into the car
and what did you do it for!" he asked
sharply.
AN wasn't it standin' open on tn
side-track at Kane Station?" said .Jem
half 'apologetically, half defensively
ave just got in to kape clare of the
rain"
"Been drinking, probably" was the
questioner's first inward comment: but {
second keen glance at Jem's honest face
dispelled the suspicion. He looked al
| Oak, and the child came forward.
I'VE were going home from mill in my
grandpa's wagon" she said, "and it rain
ed so we had to stop. Jem fastened the
horse and wagon under tree, and we got
into the car, and l went to sleep. Iguess
Jem did, too.''
u guess he did, indeed! A pretty fel
low he is to take care of little girls
Well, come here, little one, and I'll helT