Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-07-26
RUNNING "PILOT.
Cassell's Magazine.

W ho Is standing pilot this evening?
said the superintendent or boss, as
he was called.
Seth Martin, was the forcmans re-
ply.
"Tell him 10 come up here, will you? /?
and hurry up!
The foreman FASTENED away, and
both he and Seth Martin must have
spread themselves as the former
said, for in i few minutes the engine
driver stood before his chief.
The great man took 4 comprehensive
look at the engineer, VINO ilinched not
muscle. His clear. steady eyes were
rs blue as the sky; handsome brown
beard ornamented his face, which, al
belt rather dirty, was full of character
and determination. TO use the popu-
lar expression, he was pure gold down
to bedrock
The superintendent, satisfied with his
scrutiny, nodded to the engine-driver,
and said:
"Thcre's specie train up out of Col
linsville tonight, Seth
~ know that, was the curt response.
And it will require close waichins,"
continued the chief.
~ s'pose sol know that, repeated
Seth
you are mighty KNOWN this even
ing, said the superintendent, 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-drl-
yer.
Who III thunder told you, then? !
didn't know it myself till ten minutes
agow
4 You told me this minute, chen |
knew it, replied Seth, smiling, and dis
closing his white, even teeth. " I'm
ready. boss. "
Seth Martin, you ought to be II
Judge; your talents are thrown away in
this line. But listen; we've no time 70
split straws in chaff. There's very
festive gang Of desperadoes hanging
about up hartford way. They nearly
wrecked the through Pacific last week.
Fortunately, the passengers Were handy
with their sho0tin'-irons, and bullets
was ranin' pretty thick, else there
would have been something unplcas-
ant.
Wa'al, said the enginc-driver. go
ahead
Now you must run pilot TO the spe
cie-train and see that the lines clear up
as far as hartford City. le can shunt
ut the Trestc Bridge siding and wait TO
pull the wagons up the Bunker incline
through the cuttings. Once safe there
We can rattle along, and mind ye keep
good lookout.
You betm was Seth's reply Id
better take my six-shooter, suppose.
Well have to fight, maybe9
Most likely ! replied the superin-
tcndent coolIy. Keep this quiet. I've
got men on the lookout all along the
line. Who's your mate?
English Tom Atkins, was the reply
Hes grit"
All right, then, said tie chief
Now, don't drink keep full head Of
steam bring back the specie safe,
and"
"Wa'al2' drawled the other cooly
"I'll provide for your family if you're
hurt or shot: if not, I'll reward YOU
|. that all, them Well good night,
boss, and thank yc
Good luck, was the answer "I'll
not forget you.
seth Martin turned away with a nod
of acknowledgement, and directed Iii.
steps to the shed where his engine vas
standing pilot This means that the
engine had steam up lor was 'in steam
10 speak technically / and vas ready for
any sudden emergency. The driver
was just a. well pleased to run Il couple
Of hundred miles on dark night even
with the choiceof being shot. a. to have
an invitation to the White House
itself.
Tom
Halle came back il an unmistak-
able English voice.
FIRE up 4 tit: we're bound West.
specie pilot. 10 o'clock. Keepit quiet. !