The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-08-12
eyes, I looked back, but there was

81 knew 1t, SAID he; knew ~ just
as well before I asked as afterwards, but
couldn't help. asking. Do syou think
that's queer g
81 think you are troubled. That IS
more to the purpose. Do you mind my
asking what troubles you"
"Do I mind2 Didn't LUST want to
tell and see what yon can make out of
it," and he drew hiss hand over his
forehead and across his clear eyes as
though it were nightmare that threat
ened to unman him.
It beats me-"
81 wouldn't let it,"ssmiling TO cheer
his distressed face.
"You are too broad shouldereG to
stand that sort of treatment from any
thing" at which he laughed a little.
"You just pitch in, Ned" and Ned
pitched in.
Gas for a story-it isn't mach Of a
story, you'll say-but--welll You see,
l was coming down the road the other
day-a good two weeks ago-a road I've
been over hundreds of times and know
every foot Of it saw, OF there, at the
right, instead of that pancake region, a
regular billy country, wild and green
looking, plenty Of trees, and among them,
or top of a sort Of ridge, there was a
stumbling tavern, painted red.
SIT was growing dusky, and | could
see lights in the tavern and hear loud
voices, laughing and rowing. Directly
a fellow came p~lunging out of the door
with his hat of, u flannel shirt, and un
buttoned at the throat and one sleeve
loose and hanging, holding a whisky
bottle. He reeled down the hill, STUN
bled, and struck his foot against g log
near the bottom, and pitched forward
into the ditch, halfway across the
track.
81 saw what was coming, and had
whistled down brakes and reversed the
engine. The man could have got On his
feet easy enough if it hadn't been for lis
cursed whisky bottle; but he grabbed it
and held it up so as to save 1t, and
couldn't get his balance, Of course, with
oct beth hands, and so pitched forward
again, and this time fat across the rails,
and we went over him.
at was all done in a minute. YOU see,
and the train stopped, and | staring at
Jim here, and he at me.
"What did you do that for q said jim,
'ierking her up like that for nothing"
"My God! man; run over a human
creature, and smashed the breath out of
him, and ask what l stopped the train
for q ,
''Run over q mani cried jim. caro-
you crazy or drunk g But l didn't wait
to answer. streaked up the track 70
where the conductor was out, and the
brakemen and passengers all had their
heads out of the windows, and everybody
wanted to know what was the matter,
and there-well! you know just as well
as /, there was the open country and the
track as fiat as my hand, and nothing
else near or far to- be seen.
Drunk No 1 wasn't drunk. l don't
drink-ever. And it happened just so9'
turning to Jim.
"Just exactly So answered the sooty
fireman.
eyes, Just exactly So" echoed the en-
gineer, "and just exactly 80 I've seen it
every day-and done it regularly since
then. And l can't stand it much longer.
I've got TO quit. Look at thatT hold
ing up his strong hand that was shaking
in a way hat didn't belong to his mus
cles, nor to the clear blue eyes that had
no drink nor craze in them. "Maybe !
can make a change with a friend of mine
who wants to come West. Anyway, I'm
going out of here, lively"
l sat and pondered.
"Do you believe me = said ne.
"Believe you. OF course l do. Pm
not a fool. / know when a man has
truth in his face, and you've got truth in
yours-voice, too, for that matter
He smiled and thrust out his grimv
fist.
"Id like to shake hands with you for
that-if you don't care"
"B 1t l do care" said I, smiling in
turn. So we shook hands.
Cant you explain its"
"No-no more than ! can tell YOU
how q flower grows"
We reached our destination and each
went his or her way. and 80 far as |
knew there was an end Of mystery and
explanation.
Five years af,erward / was at New