The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-12-06
Select Story.
RUNNING "PIL0T'"
From CasseVs Magdzine.

who is standing pilot this evening I? said
the Superintendent, or Boss as he was
called
Seth Martin, was the foreman's re
| ply.
Tell him to come here, will you ? and
hurry upr
The foreman hastcned away, and both he
and Seth Martin must have spread them
selves as the former said, for in few min
utes the engine driver stock before bis
chief.
The great man took comprehensive look
at the engineer, who linched not. a muscle.
His clear, steady eyes were as blue as the
sky handsome brown beard ornamented
his face, which, albeit rather dirty was full
of character and determination. To use the
popular expression, 'he was pure gold down
to bed rock
The Superintendent, satisfied with hi
scrutiny, nodded to the engine driver, am
said
There's specie train up out of Collins
vile tonight, Seth
4 know that was the curt response.
And it will require close watching, CON
tinued the chief
Ispose sol know that repeated Seth.
You are mighty KNOWN this evening,
said the Superintendent. smiling, but there
is one thing you don't know, sonpey. 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 disclosing 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 il
, chaf There's very festive gang of des
) peradoes hanging about up Dartord way
C They nearly wrecked the thr ugh Pacif,
: last week Fortunately, the passengers wa
c handy with their shooting irons. and bullet
c was rainn' pretty thick, else there woul
C have been something unpleasant
e 'Wa'al; said the engine driver, g
ahead
y Now you must run pilot to the speci
'SS train, and see that the lines clear up as f..
d. as hartford City. Ie can shunt at the tre
'c tle.bridge siding, and wait to pull the wa!
nc ons up Tho Bunker incline through the Gu
NJ tings Once safe there ye can rattle aloni
No and mind ye keep good lookout
,.ee You betn was Seth,s reply. I'D bett
| t,l.. - IL. | haN
o,Gc to fight, maybe"
Sc Most likely replied the superintendent
'c coolly. Keep this quiet. pve got men
&C &c the ahs,S IoSt9" ,s along the line Who's yo
Sc I'c English Tom Atkins was the repl
oc Hes gritp
&c 'All right, them said the chief. NO
Me don't drink keep a full head Of steam
Se bring back the specie safe, and
zoe 'Waal :? drawled the other cOoly,
'O' 'Fll provide for your family if you're hu
oc 'oc or shot if not I'll reward YOU
0c Is that all, then? Well, good night, be
Toe and thank yer
oe Good luck was the answer; I'm 4
JCc jHc forget YOU
IOc Seth Martin turned away with nod
'O' acknowledgement and directed his steps
loc the shed to where his engine was 'standi
9oc pilot This means that the engine had stea
,oc up Tor was 'iu steam,' to speak technical
loc and was ready for any emergency. 7
9oc driver was just as we'll pleased to rur
roc couple of hundred miles on dark mig
,Oc even with the chance of being shot, AS
-. have an invitation to the White House
iOc elf
20 'Tomp
iiSc iSc Halo ? came back in an unmistaka
zoe English voice.
ioc Fire up bit ; we are bound West sp
iiO0c ial pilot 10 o'clock. Keep it quiet
aoc iSc man unseen by the driver put up
lOc head to listen.
9Se lVe Seth was a man of action, and SO was
81, mate, Tom Atkins. They looked to the
zoe gine and their revolyers put dozen ca
s1c ridges in tin can, filled a similar can W
9oo some old Bourbon whisky at a saloon cl
%, by, whittier they were followed by the N
zoe who had been listening to their CONVEX
iiOc tion, and who noted their preparations,
ooc After communicating with some accC
|, or plice, this mysterious individual left the
loon and made his way toward the sig
v box, which stood some distance down
line.
n ot As soon as the engine driver and his n
will were recognized they were warmly WelcOI
girls for they were fayorites. Many drinks "
Tkns tns rendered tor their acceptance, and
-ly clined on various pleas, till at length
rand man declared that the Brtisher wanted t.
le ! ,6a on an insult on freeborn citizen. He off,
Seth and Tom glass apiece, saying
whats up, mateY Swore off, eh
ms, For this evening replied Seth, 'bu
I'd rather drink than fight just now,