Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1880-01-01
STOPPING THE EXPRESS

THE EXPRESS.
a rsasgxaph Operators esasy.
By wMsLow sNYDxR,
"By-by!" Twas just . way I had
Of speaking to Madge.
"And when will my knight-srrant
"Hal an hou r."
$50 long!" and the fair lips pout-
ed; partially in impatient regret, /
hoped, and partially, I knew, in dar-
ing assumption that it would b q
IOng time-for me.
"Don't speak so ironically, Madge
5ommers I pleaded. ssThs idea
Of me being able to stay away only a
half hour-me, station-master and
operator Of the Lehigh rail
roadl" s -- Ts1
High position!" she lsughingly
interrupted, resting her little hand
upon my shoulder. ''But, BY the
way, John, I wish they would sppre-
ciate your transcendant talents and
raise your salary"
1 langhed-couldn't do anything
else--at this matter-of-fact speech.
Just like he-. Spoke in fun-ot
course but, then, tbsre was earnest
neaning in her tone. You see, the
old captain, her father-hs was saDok-
ing out on the porch tAen-Aad
agreed that Made might bSc0me
mine a. soon a. the Lehigh Road
found me to be worth fifty dollars a
Whereupon had solemnly
vowed that that should be in the
shortest possible time-vowed 1t more
strongly every hour I worshipped at
her shrine. But the Lehigh R0ad
didn't understand the matter, and 60
must slave at the old salary, and be
contsnt with hope and Madge's 10y
atty. .ss E-
express will be along, John, in
ten minutes" said the old captain,
as I stepped to the porch.
1t was q gentle reminder that bust
ness was business.
80. Ki" shouted back, for ] wa
already at the gate. Only = huEdred
yxrds to the station, and l ran the
whole of the way.
1 unlocked the door Of the waiting
room. Days were getting shorter,
and it was already dark. I swung
out the white light. 1t meant to Bill,
the engineer ON the express, that all
was serene, ard ''let her drive"
l stepped to the inner Office. The
''instrument" was calling, but I paid
no heed only to note that the fellow
at Lucerne was waking up Bob over
in Frankfort. Yet, all of q sudden,
certain letters reached my ears and
stuck there.
I'M u-r-d-"
"Murdered!" said l.
"Probably on the express, follow
ed over the wires.
What did that fellow at Lucern,
mean7 A new hand, but surely b,
was not crazy.
Then I began to blame myself foI
not paying better attention. To<
late for that though; must call jim
ever at Ashland-an old chum O
mise, and one whom I might presura,
to disturb at any time with the mos
trifiing questions. We had ofte,
talked of themes Of less import thai
murder.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
matter? Who's-murdered-and-
Observation-Disclosures? I ask
ed him.
In two minutes his answer cam
ticking back:
"Lord Davis, of the First National
murdered thirty minutes ago, at Lu
cerne. Big robbery and lots Of re.
wardl Murderer supposed to hav'
left on express. She has just gon
by. Bully be the boy that geta hln.
"That's so," said l to myself
''Three minutes, and she'll be here.
Iswung out the red light, the sia
nal of danger, though I hadn't quit
made up my mind what to do.
/ heard the old captain calling fror
over the way, in his high, piping voice
"John, what's up3'' but there WASH
time for conversation the scream G
the night express was ringing throug
the valley, and the next instant Oh.
turned the curve and came thunder
ing down.
"Won't Bill be astoundea?"
couldn't help muttering, % I hear
his sudden signal to down breaks
There came q snort Of defiance froI
the Lehigh Meteor-a harsh screec
and then, 1t seemed, gsoan,
If every fiber of her iron sSstem VI
being racked' and panied. But tn
spirit that ruled was strong-min
triumphing over matter. Excua
these remarks. I know Q mere tele
graph operator, with = u.eager salary
has no right to such luxnries.
A hundred yards through the glooI
| I caught sight Of Bilps head IN
neck, the latter appendags-natural
Of good length-noW stretched to |,
utmost from the Meteor's box, IN
his smoke-begrimsd face all aglo
with an anxious wondermsnt and col
cern.
"What's up, Jackf' be erie
through the gathering darkness.
'Come down from there!'' shou
ed back. Don't you remember ho
you ueed to worry the life out Of ol
Goggles with your mimicking ?"
JACK Rohsrta, you're ar-
s.Ge ins:de; III sss you ons m
ment I"
"Hello, over there!" shouted Co
dnctor Rans0m from the platform
the rear car. &#e
1.-THE same" answered I, walkir
along tho track.
s.Mhas Dos all this mean, Rol
srts p be anxioasly asksd.
Just than . Car window waD raisa
directly orr oar heads.