Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1878-10-21

fearing that some inkling of his Intended
mission might leak out, beckonedto his
fireman to follow as soon as possible,
and then left the saloon. He lit cigar,
climbed up into the "cab" of his engine
(all American locomotives are protected
and closed in), and began to smoke.
He smoked in comfort for about halt
an hour, then he felt "queer." "These
is stronger cigars than usual" he NUT
tered, and he threw it from him. But
the oppression on his brain became
heavier he felt very sleepy now.
81 think I'll have a 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 laundering idiot l
ami" He essayed to rise, but felt quite
bewildered. He made hopeless attempts
to stand upright, but could do nothing.
He was as useless as child but, worse
than all, he was conscious of his inabil-
ity to do his duty. Ten o'clock rang
out. He struggled to his feet. His
head was spinning round. his feet were
heavy as leaden weights. He opened
the sliding-door, but, ere he could de-
scend, blow from behind sent him fly
ing into space-a splash, and, and down
he sank into large pond containing a
quantity of surplus water for the loco
motive tanks.
At the same moment three men climb
ed up on the engine, and, with 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 nothin' this time. The
specie train will run after all, this time
Oh they couldn't catch me tripping
No, sir !''
"The Savage will do the bridge, ]
suppose" said another. "He's to worl
on the up line, isn't hep"
"Aye, only on that side. Ye die
that Britisher pretty, l must say. HI
and Seth was kinder cautious. too"
81 mixed it strong," said the other
with savage laugh. "Did you settl
the signals, Abe 2"
"Aye; telegraphed ourselves on spe
cial, and then cut the wires and smashe,
the instruments. We're clear now t
hartford City. What's that?" he add
ed, hastily, as the engine lurched for
second and lifted
"Only the points. We're out now
We can run easy, s'pose. She won
bush, l hope. Here goes.''
The speaker, who knew little abou
engine-driving. turned on the steam an
away they went. He turned his hea
for moment. There's something moy
ing yonder; they've found Seth, likely.
But this portion of the gang of despt
radoes had met their match in Englis
Tom Atkins. For moment or two b
had been overcome by the drugge
whisky, but simple and very effectiy
remedy cured him at the cost of fe
moments sickness. Creeping along th
ground, for he could not walk, he COZ
ceived the idea of following these mel
so he held the points open and sent tt
"bravoes" away into the night on th
up line. He proposed to give the alarl
and follow (on the down metals) with
superior force. But fate was drawin
the fugitives to destruction. The U
line was cut at the bridge.
"Lend hand, mate, I'm drowndin'
This is what Tom heard as he crawle
rather than walked across the metals
seek assistance.
! "Seth-Seth Martin; what's happel
J ed to you?
Them varmint tossed me in he
when | was half stupid, but the wat
has done me good. Help me out, Tor
and we'll fix them yet.
Tom. who was rapidly recoverin
: lent all the assistance he could !; al
then the dripping driver. quickly wrin
; ing the water from his clothes, sal
when his mate had told him what
. had done
"Don't breathe syllable to mort
$ man. I know Bob Franklin's engine
0 in steam by now for the cross trait
a Well fire her up and run them dow
a We may save the specie yet. Hur
: down to the signal-box while / get 0
? the engine" " -4'-
a Tom hastened away as desired,
0 soon came back with the intelligeI
that the box was empty and the vi
: cut.
t I'VE daresn't say word now," So
e Seth. "What fools we were to ia
e them drinks Now, Tom, shove In sol
wood while | oil the cranks. I'll lea
S word for the foreman we must trl
Y him."
v All these nrenarations ware made