Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1881-04-30
THE BURNING TUNNEL.

" d" Well, yes, sir, l have had some
a rather exciting adventures since be-.
came an engineer; but the time that
my hair stood the straightest, and my
heart beat the fastest, was when was
firing an engine instead of taking charge
OF one and, as soon as we reach the
long upgrade, l will tell you about it if
( you care to hear.p
So said the tall, well-shaped, keen
eyed young fellow who was controlling,
with such cool, nonchalant air, the
greatiron Cyclops that was bearing us
so swiftly over its seemingly endless
pathway of cleaning steel.
Of course was all anxiety, and when
the upgrade was reached the engineer
began, his eyes meantime being faith
fully kept ahead:
alt was nearly six years ago, but it
stands out before me as plainly as if it
-Ta happened yesterday | was fireman
y on the No. 8 of the W Railroad, as
smooth a road as ever was built, and
Just as straight Us rail, sir, except at
one point. There it curved sharply, and
just beyond was tunnel about hun
dred yards in length. f.
"This. tunnel was very heavily tim
hered-in fact, the inside was close
network of immense great joists; and,
at the time of its completion, the con-
tractor had boosted that it would last
until the Judgement Day.
Harry Burton, the engineer on the
No. D, was called a handsome fellow,
and at times, especially when he was
81 thinking or talking about Winnie Clyde,
and his great black eyes would soften
and shine, and his dark face would flush
and dimple just like woman's, sir, he
then would really deserve the compli-
ment.
IN "But there were other times that,
when he had been vexed or crossed in
any way, a hard, ugly look would creep
into his eyes, and his lips would shut
together, in tight, cruel line, and he
would look as ill.favored as a iail-bird,
and cause me to think pitifully of Winnie
Clyde's future if she intrusted it in his
care.
"Little Winnie Clyde was the pref
test girl ever saw. Just as light as
n bit of thistle down, with dark
eyes and mass of soft, crinkly, yellow
hair, that made q golden frame for
face rs soft, and smooth, and pink as
an apple-blossom; and she had such a
pretty way of acting, such sunny dis
position, that one couldn't hel p loving
her.
"There is no doubt but that Burton
fairly worshiped her; but he was quick
tempered and jealous, and over-bearing
nv uatura anI cd ho oir q lor1
and master so often that | think the lit
tic girl got tired of his harshness.
q "But, anyhow, he flung himself
aboard one morning in such manner
as gave me to understand that some
thing unusual had happened; and that
day he was so savage that at last got
out of patience, and told him pretty
sharpely that if he expected l was going
to put up with his growing any longer he
was nightly mistaken, for would not
do it.
. " He looked at me as if he was some
what surprised, and then said, pretty
low. .u
al suppose have been pretty bear
ish, Ned; but | couldn't help it, as nc
man could, who had seen all the Joy and
hope of his life stolen from him The
whole world seems black to me-.
And his head sunk on his breast as
deep groan escaped his lips. ! saw at
once that he was wretched about some.
thing, and of course, it changed my
anger to sympathy, and asked him as
soOthingly as | could what the trouble
was.
well, you must know, Ned he
burst out, as if he could bear it no long
er, | went up to Clyde's last night, anC
found white-faced, white handed fell
low there, whom Nellie introduced tC
me as Raymond Melton. hated hin
the moment | saw him, and | had {
frantic desire to throttle him every mo
ment of his call. When ne was gone
turned to Winnie, and suppose fair
ly raved; but before had finished, Vim
ME stood up, with her eyes blazing, anC
handing me my ring, swept from tn,
room without word OF course | knew
what it meant--simply that Raymon,
Melton had stolen her from me, will
his soft ways and oily tongue; and
want you to understand, Ned Lyons
that man who runs me off the tracl
has heavy damages to pay, and his fac
was'traShtlul to see ;.but he said nothin;
more&bout his trouble OF anything els
that dav.
"Well, sir, in the days and week
that followed, l had anything but a
agreeable companion. Burton wa
either so sullen and gloomy that h
didn't have civil word for any one, O
else he was raving mad with jealous
and hate.
81 talked with him, and tried to res
son him into better frame of mine
but it was of no use. He grew worS
and worse, and finally took to drinking
and when under the influence of liquor
Harry Burton was absolutely ferociou
"0f course, with such habits, Burto
could not rightly perform his dutie'
and as soon as his untrustworthiness We
known at headquarters he received
lpromRt dismissal; and in month frol
the time That Winnie returned his rims
Ray Melton took his place as engine'
on the No. 3, s...
"Burton had deeply prejudiced N