The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-05-14

| Harry Burton was absolutely ferociouS
"Of course, with such habits, Burton
could not rightly perform his duties
and as soon as his untrustworthiness was
known at headquarters he received 6
prompt dismissal; and in a month from
the time that Winnie returned his ring
Ray Melton took his place as engineer
on the No. 5.
"Burton had deeply prejudiced me
! against his rival, but in a week Ray Mel
ton and were sworn friends. He wa;
not as good-looking as Burton, but one
look into his clear, honest eyes would
tell you that he was true and manly to
the core.
He was personally very neat; but
one morning, in particular, joked him
considerably about his purple and fine
linen. u eF 17se~
"'The fact is, old boy he said, with
that happy laugh of his, there is to be a
grand excursion to-day, and when we
get to Denton we may have to take a
passenger in the cab, the cars will be
so crowded. v aaHu 5an
81 understood in moment who he
referred to, and therefore was not sur
prised when, as we stopped at Denton,
he assisted Winnie Clyde into the cab.
"She was looking her very sweetest
that day--as the girls say, she was per
fectly lovely, from her white hat to her
little walking-shoes- no wonder
that Melton had hard work to keep his
eyes in the right direction. But he was
faithful; for there were twenty cars be-
hind, overcrowded with excursionists,
whose safety depended on his watchful-
ness. e
"Vinnie was just as gay as bird
full of laughter and merry chatter, that
was so droll it amused Melton and my
self extremely, and made the time pass
away so pleasantly and fast that before
knew we had reached the curve.
"Just as we were rounding it, Winnie
came quickly over to the window by
which l was sitting, and clasped her
hands at the pretty view.
"' Is it not lovelyP' she said.
"And | was about to answer, when
the engine gave sudden plunge for
ward. | looked ut Melton in surprise,
for we had been going fast enough, and
| thought it reckless and dangerous to
put on full head Of steam in that way;
but the sight of his face stopped the
question that trembled on my lips. 1t
was just as gray and set as if cut out Of
granite, and his eyes had strange, des-
perate look in them, as that of man
who is facing death, and has made up
his mind to grapple with him.
81 glanced ahead, and | saw sight,
ciY fhot 6,.Hxza oil
and filled it with a wild, blind terror.
'That long tunnel was mass of
flame. The strong current of air that
was drawing through it would push out
great volumes of flame fecked smoke.
and give glimpses of red-hot tongues of
fire that Tapped eagerly in every direc-
ton; and the train was plunging toward
it with the speed of race-horse, as if
eager to run that hideous gauntlet of
death. w. ts
"tAre you mad, man?' / screamed
to Melton. whistle for down brakes!'
"And l attempted to catch the cord
but he pushed me back.
"' Would you stop the train in the
midst of that tunnelp' he said, fiercely.
sand then he flung a rubber coat
over Winnie, who had crouched in lit
tie white heap on the floor of the cab.
Another instant and we had entered the
burning tunnel. Melton said that we
were but seven seconds going through
it; but it seemed to me as if | heard the
roaring of the fire, and felt its heat and
suffered the horror of it, for half an
hour.
"But at last the cool, sweet air, I'M
tainted by smoke or the hot breath of
the fire, famed my face and l opened
my eyes with feeling of thankfulness,
as | knew that the burning tunnel was
behind us and we were unframed. Il
tried to thank Melton-rather brokenly,
l confess-but he was so busy in kissing
the color back to Vinnie's lips that he
gave me not a whit of attention.
"The train slowed-stopped; the pas
sengers, full of excitement, came crowd
ing out and massed about us as we
stepped from the engine. Melton was
obliged to tell his story over and over
again, but he did it SO modestly that |
felt called on to add word.
"And such time as they all had over
him! Such a flood of compliments and
thanks, and hand-shakings would have
wilted most any one. /.t
"Just then the conductor came along,
winked at Ray, and sung out, All
aboard!' giving him a chance to escape.
"We had very pleasant time when
the excursion party stopped at the great
Wyatt Grove. Ray was the hero of the
hour, and all the ladies envied Winnie,
who couldn't help showing how proud
she was of him.
SIN short time they were married,
and as Winnie persuaded Ray to break
off railroading, he took her and his
testimonial to California.
Last year went to see them, and
found him successful farmer, with one
of the finest ranches in the Golden State,
and extremely proud of his pretty wife
and two lovely children. -,Satwday
,aLf