The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1878-08-03
RUNNING "PILOT. :"

w no Is standing pllOt this evening r.
said the superintendent, or boss" as
he was called.
Seth Martin" was the foreman's re-
oily.
Tell him to come here, will you? and
hurry up
The foreman FASTENED away, and both
ne and Seth Martin must have "spread
themselves" ~ the former said, for in q
few minutes the eDgine-driver stood be-
fore his chief.
The great man took a comprehensive
look 1t the engineer, who hinched not q
muscle. His clear, steady eyes were as
blue rs the sky; a handsome brown
beard ornamented his face, which, al
belt rather dirty, was full of character
AMI determination. To use the popular
expression, he was pure gold down to
bedrock
The superintendent, satisfied with his
scrutiny, nodded TO the engine-driver and
said
" There's a specie-train up out of Col
linsyilie, tonight, Seth"
6 / know that, was the curt response
And it viii require close watching"
continued the chief.
dispose sol know that" repeated
seth
/" You are mighty KNOWN this even
ing, said the uperinteudent, smiling
but there is one thing you don't know,
Sonny. You don't know that you are
going to run pilot to that train"
" Yes, do, replied the engine-driver
Who in thunder told you, then? /
didn't know it myself till ten minutes
ago,
You told me this minute, then |
knew it, replied Seth, smiling, and dis
closing his white, even teeth. "Pm
ready, boss."
Seth Martin, you ought to be a
Judge; your talents are thrown away on
this line. But listen; we've no time to
split straws in chat. There's very fes-
tive gang Of desperadoes hanging about
up hartford way. They nearly wrecked
the through Pacific last week. Fortu-
aatelv, the passengers were handy with
their shootin' irons, and bullets were
rainin' pretty thick, else there would
have been something unpleasant"
"Wa'al,' said the engine,driver, ego
ahead
Now you must run pilot to the specie
tram and see that the lines clear up as
far as hartford City. You can shout at
the Trestle Bridge siding and wait to
pull the wagons up the Bunker incline
through the cuttings. Once safe there
We can rattle along, and mind we keep a
good look out"
You bet" was Seth's reply. "Pd
better take my siX-shooter, | suppose,
Wen have te fight, may be?"
Most likely replied the superin-
tendent coolly Keep this quiet. I've
got men on the lookout along the line.
Who's your mate?"
English Tom Atkins" was the re-
ply. He's grit"
An right, then" said the chief
Now don't drink; keep full head oil
steam; bring back the specie safe, and
.WIal?" drawled the other cody
"I'l provide for your family if you re
hurt or shot; if not, I'll reward you"
l. that all, then? Well, goodnight
boss, and thank ye.
Good luck" was the answer; "Pl
not forget you"
Seth Martin turned away with noe
of acknowledgement and directed hi
steps 70 the she'd where his engine wa
. standing pilot" This :means that tn
engine had steam up Cor was in steam,
to speak technically and was ready 70
any sudden emergency. The driver wa
Just a. well pleased to run a couple o
hundred miles on dark night, even Will
The chance of being shot, as to have al
Invitation to the I" White House " itself
"Tom?'
"HaIIow came back in an unmistak
able English voice.
Fire up bit; we're bound west
Specie pilot; ten O'clock. Keep it quiet.
\ man unseen 10y the driver put NJ
his head to listen.
Seth was a man of action, and 50 wa
his mate, Tom Atkins.
They looked To the engine and their re
yolvcrs; put dozen cartridges in til
can, filled a similar can with old Bourbon
whisky a saloon close by, whittier the,
Were followed by the man who had beer
listening 10 their conversation, and VIII,
noticed their preparations.
Alter communicating with some &C
compHce, this mysterious individual lef
the saloon and made his way towords tn
signal box, which stood some distanc
down the line.
As soon rs the engine driver and hi
mate were recognized, they were warml
Welcomed, for they were favorites. Man
drinks were rendered for their accep
ance, and declined on various pleas, ii
al length one man declared that til
Briti,her wanted To fix an insult on
free born citizen. He offered Seth an
Tom glass apiece, saying.
WHAT'S up mate? Swore off, chr
. For this evening" replied Seth, "bl
as ia rather drink than fight just nov
I'll take your treat" 90 the men eaC
took the preferred glass, but searcel
tasted it; and soon afterwards Seth, fea
ing that some inkling of his intende
mission might leak out, beckoned to h
fireman to follow rs soon rs possible, an
then left the saloon. He lit a ciga
climbed up into the "cab" of his e.
CINE Call American locomotives are pr
tected and closed in, and began
So smoke.
He smoked in comfort for about
quarter OF an hour, then he fe