The Van Buren press., 1878-10-08

W
plice, this mysterious individual left the
saloon and made his way toward tho sig.
nal box, which stood some distance down
the line.
AS soon as the engine driver and his
mate were recognized, they were warmly
welcomed, for they wero favorites. Ma.
ny drinks were rendered for their aceep.
lance, and declined On various pleas, un-
til at length one man declared the Brit
sher wanted to fix an insult on a free.
born citizen, He offered Seth and Tom
glass apiece, saying:
What's up, mater Swore off, oh p
"For this evening" replied Seth, "but
as I'd rather drink than fight just now,
III take your treat SO the men each
took the protiered glass, but scarcely tas
sea IT. and soon afterwards, Seth, feared
that some inkling 81 his intended mis-
sion might leak ol',,.s.eva-- :. adj 10 hia fra
man to follow as soon as possible, and
then left tho saloon. He lit a cigar,
climbed into the cab of his engine (all
American locomotives are protected and
closed in,) and began to smoke.
He smoked in comfort for about n
quarter of an hour, then he felt "queer"
"These is stronger cigars than usual, J"
and he threw it from him. But the OPP
preston on his brain sbeeame heavier.
he felt very sleepy now.
q think I'll have nap; it's only
about 8 o'clock / must, there's an
hour yet ! wonder where Tom is. It's
my opinion Tom will drink too much,
Or"
His train of thought was suddenly in
terrupted All at once it flashed upon
him that he himself had been "drugged"
in the saloon
THAT'S it; what a laundering idiot |
am !" He essayed to rise, but fell quite
bewildered. He made hopeless attemps
to stand upright. but could do nothing.
He was useless as child but, worse
than all, he was conscious of to do
his duty Ten O'Clock rang out. His
head was spinning round, his feet were
heavy as leaden weights. He opened the
sliding door, but ere he could descend, a
blow from behind sent him flying into
space-a splash, and down he sank into
a large pond containing quantity of
surplus water for the locomotive tanks.
At the same moment three men climb
ed up on the eugne and, with a low but
hearty chuckle, started it out from the
siding.
81 think we did that neat said the
shortest of the party. 81 didn't listen
to the boss for nothing this time. The
special train will run after all, you see,
On! they couldn't catch me tripping
No, sir y
"The Savage will DO the bride, l sup
poso," said anotheE Giles to work on
AYE, only on the that side Yc did
that Britisher pretty, | must say He
and Seth was kinder cautious, too"
II mixed it strong" said the other
with a savage laugh. "Did you settle
the signals, Abe Y
"Aye; tele2raphed ourselves on spe
cal, and then cut the wires and smashed
the instruments. We're clean now to
hartford City. What's thati' he added
hastily, as the engine lurehed for u sec.
ond and lifted.
"Only the points We're out now.
We can run easy l s'pose. She won't
but, l hope. Here goes"
The speaker, who knew little about
engne-d driving, turned on the steam,
and away they went. He turned his head
for a moment, "There's something
moving yonder' they've found Seth
likely
But this portion of the gang OF
desperadoes had met their match in Eng
lish Tom Atkins. For moment or two
he had been overcome by the dragged
whiskey, but simple ard very effective
remedy cured him, at the cost of few
moments sickness. Creeping along the
ground, for he could not walk, he con.
ceived the idea of following these men,
so he held the points open and sent the
"bravoes" away into the night on the up
line. He proposed to give the alarm,
and follow on the down metals) with a
superior force. But fate was drawing
the fugitives to destruction. The up line
was cut at the bridge,
"Lend a hand, mate, I'm drownin' n'
This is what Tom heard as he crawled
rather than walked across the metals to
seek assistance.
"Seth-Seth Martin; what's happened
to your"
Them varmints tossed me in here
when / was half stupid, but the water has
done me good, Help me out, Tom, and
we'll fix EN- yet"
rom, who was rapidly recovering, lent
all the assistance he could; and then the
dripping driver, quickly wringing the wa
ter from his clothes, said, when his mate
had told him what he had done.
"Dont breathe a syllable to mortal
man. | know Bob Franklin's engine Is
in steam by now for the cross traffic.
Well save the specie yet. Hurry down
to the signal box while ! get out tho EN-
CINE"
Tom fastened away rs desired, but
soon came back with the intelligence
that the box was empty and the wire
out.
1--WE darsen't say word now said
Seth. What fools we were to take them
drinks! Now, Tom, shove in some wood
while | oil the cranks. I'll leave word
for the foreman; we must trust him"
All these preparations were made al
most as quickly as they are hero describ'
ed. In ten minutes the engine was rea'
dy, and as noislessly as possible the
great locomotive was brought out of the
shed. but tender first.
"Never mind" said Seth. when Tom OBJ
| ;oo,od aNVn can RIM ahaut ne auick