The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-03-10
minute later Saas shaking hands with

ton was so strong and praiseworthys
that the company encouraged him by
restoring him to the mastery Of the
Rigoletta.
Until that night no railroad man
had seen him lift the glass to his lips,
and Julius Baird, after witnessing
what he had, did not know what to do.
There were precious lives on the
train that trip, and it would require
good engineering to carry them
through safely. He knew that Nixon
would be discharged before the train
could leave Stanton il Bradley was in
formed Of his action. In such en-
event his duties would devolve upon
the young fireman, who doubted his
ability to perform them satisfactorily.
The responsibility was great, and then
John Nixon knew every mile OF. the
road and he could not be spared.
After q long mental debate the fire.
man stepped upon the engine and sat
beside Hetty. He talked with her
pleasantly, mentioning not his fears,
but watched the engineer without
ceasing.
The train moved off after It's usual
halt, and was soon rushing through
the dense fog. 90, -.
The engineer conversed for q few
minutes when he became sullen and
stood in the door with his back to the
lovers. , .
whats the matter with John?"''
asked Hetty, in o whisper. ,
| Her question drew a secret from the
young freman's heart. In a whisper
he narrated the scene in the groggery,
and told her the engine was under the
care Of drunken man.
The fair cheeks grew pale at this,
and Hetty's hand dropped upon her
lovers arm. =, - ..
"John, we must take the Rigoletta
safely to Hamilton!" she said, with
frmness. 'Think! Our good Cover
nor is on board, and there are women
and children in the sleeping cars" '
He nodded, and said, eyes, Hetty,"
without taking his eyes from the en-.
gineer. ;..,, ,.:L. -.
l"We ought to find signals in this
fog!" she: said, for, from her lover,
Hetty had learned much about the
iron track. .n,,...
IF there be danger we will find
them" he answered her. The COVER
nor's presence insures the extra pre-
cautions, and I expect to hear the
signals before we reach Hamilton.
Why, in this awful fog, which seems
like o shroud OF triple thickness, we
couldn't see. q headlight fifty feet be,
fore u.s." ..... ......;
At that moment Nixon turned and
looked ut theguage. &C.,.
Then lie threw open the furnace
door, ttWoody" he laconically said to
the fireman, who looked at Hetty and
turned to the tender.
"John, aren't I'VE going fast enough
through this fog?" she said to the en-
gineer, I'M soft, half pleading tone.
"I'm the engineer Of the Rigoletta,'
he answered her, not harshly, but with
O smile. 81
"But the Governor is on board"
"He's no better than John Nixonl"
"John, we might: collide with an
other train"
I'm which event the RiSolctta would
be knocked out Of shape. I've run
through worse fogs than this, and" in
q lower voice US he turned away,
"IIl run as I please if We burst the
boiler!" ,.
Hetty with pallid face saw Julius
feed the furnace anew and reseat him.
self at her side.
The speed Of the engine increased.
and John Nixon mad with brandy,
watched the pointers Of the guage.
"Why don't Bradley ring him down
to slower time?" asked Hetty.
"He's having O good time with the
governors party, and then he's got
all tho confidence in the world in
john" ..
On, still on, through the cold fog
that made Hetty wrap her shawl about
her shoulders and SILVER, even then
went the engine, growing as mad as
Its drunken master. u. u
Suddenlya strange report that seemed
to, emanate from beneath the very
wheels Of the engine fell upon the
lovers ear.
. Julius Baird sprang to his feet.
"The fog signal!" he cried, ono
looked at Nixon.
"What's up young man?" said the
engineer, looking at him with wild
Dyes. that would have made some be.
lieve that their owner was q maniac
"Sit down with your doll-faced girl
I'll run the Rigoletta." ~ ..
John, didn't you hear the fog sig
nal?" said the fireman.
mo, nor you either. We're all
right" &c.. -.
"There! the second one!" CRIED
Julius, as o report exactly like the
first fell upon his ears. "That means
STOP"
IF you're running this train I want
to see your commission Of authorityE'
said the mad engineer.
81 am not running it," replied the
youth, quite calmly. "You know the
code of the road as we'll, perhaps bet.
ter, than I do. You know all about
the fog signals. The first means run
slower, the second, stop, the third.
stop at all hazards-there's danger
ahead!"
whats that you're trying to tell
me?" roared Nixon. Course your fog
signalsl You sha'nt dictate to me be-
cause you've got your sweetheart with
you tonight. Now keep your mouth
shut, Or"