Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1878-08-22
RUNNING "PIL0T."

"Tell him to come here, will youP
and hurry up"
The foreman fastened away, and
both he and Seth Martin must have
"spread themselves, as the former
said, for in a few, minutes the engine
driver stood before his chief.
The great man took a comprehen-
sive look at the engineer, who finch
ed not a muscle. His clear steady
eyes were as blue as the sky a
handsome brown beard ornamented
his face, which, albeit rather dirty,
was full of character and determina-
tion. To use the popular express
sion, "he was pure gold down to
bedrock"
The Superintendent, satisfied with
his scrutiny, nodded to the engine
driver and said i:
There's specie train up out of
Collinsville tonight, Seth"
"I know that" was the curt re-
sponse.
'And it will require close watch
ing," continued the chief.
Il s'pose SOL know that" re-
peated Seth.
You are mighty knowin' this
evening"" 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, l do" replied the engine
driver.
"Who in thunder told you, then ?
didn't know it myself till ten hin-
utes ago."
''You told me this minute, then 1
knew It," replied Seth, smiling, and
disclosing his white, even teeth
"I'm ready, boss"
''Seth Martin, you ought to be
Judge your talents are thrown away
on this line. But listen we've no
time to sp it straws in chaff.
There's very. festive gang of des-
peradoes hanging about up hartford
way. They nearly wrecked the
Though PAciic last week. Fortu-
nately, the passengers was handy
with their shootin'-irons, and bull
lets was rainin' pretty thick, else
there would have been something
unpleasant"
"Wa'al," said the engine driver,
''go ahead"
Now, you must run pilot to the
specie train and see that the lines
clear up as far as hartford City.
Ye can't shunt 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 ye keep
good lookout"
"You bet 20 was Seth's reply.
s'I'd better take my six-shooter, l
suppose. Well have to fight, may
be ?''
"Most likely" replied the Super
intendent, coolly. ''Keep this qui-
ct. I've got men on the 10 kout
along the line. Who's your mate ?"
"English Tom Atkins" was the
reply. Hes grit %
s'All righ;, then," said the chief.
"Now don't drink keep full head
of steam ; bring back the specie
safe, and"
"Wa'al ?'' drawled the other,
coolly.
"I'n provide for your family if
you're hurt or shot ; if not, III re-
ward YOU"
"Is that all, then , Well, good
night, boss, and thank ye."
"Good luck,' was the reply; ''I'n
not forget you."
Seth Martin turned away with a
nod of acknowledgment and directed
his steps to the shed where his en-
CINE was "standing pilot" This
means the en- CINE had steam up (o1
was '.in steam," to speak technical
ly), and was ready for any sudden
emergency. The driver was just as
well pleased to run couple of hun
dred miles on a dark night, even
with the chance of being shot, as to
have an invitation to the ''White
House, itself.
tom -
ssHallo ?'' came back in an un
mistakable English voice.
Fire up a bit ; we're bound
west specie pilot 10 o'clock
Keep it quiet"
A man unseen by the driver pn
up his head to listen.
Seth was man of action, and 81
was his mate, Tom Atkins. Thel
looked to the engine and their revol
vers put dozen cartridges in {
tin can flied a similar can Will
some old Bourbon whiskey aJ sa
loon close by, whittier they were fol
lowed 10y the man who had beer
listening to their conversation, an