The Ripley advertiser. [volume] (Ripley, Miss.) 1843-1897, 1881-03-19

Stole over my body; a cold persplra
ton broke through my skin; my
heart almost ceased to beat, and
for a while my power o. speech was
gone.
"When does the train start for
Memphis" | gasped as soon as |
could recover my powers Of articu.
lation.'
"Seven o'clock in the morning"
replied the aient.
"Alasl that would be too late; all
will be over before them" Was my
reply.
II believe" said the agent that
under the circumstances the super
intendent would let you have an
extra train for a reasonable com.
pensation. will ask him by tele-
graph if you wish it,"
"You are very kind, sir, and |
thank you; please make the request
without delay. Tell the superin-
tendent thai money is no object
The value Of the engine and coach
is offered and will be promptly
paid if required. l beg you, sir,
not to lose a moment. Ii you only
knew how precious time is to me
now, you would be in a hurry"
While | was urging the agent to
send the message, the clicking OF
the instrument under his thumb and
finger indicated the fact that the
electric fluid was dashing the re-
quest into the Office at Memphis.
The dispatch was gone in three
minutes. A short conversation
was then commenced between the
Superintendent at Memphis and
the agent at Grenada. As the
clicking of the instrument convey
ed the words to the ear ofth9 opera
tor, he conveyed them to M" ear,
by word Of mouth.
sis number seven there?' enquir-
ed the superintendent.
"Yes," was the operators reply.
'tIs she in good running order?
enquired the superintendent.
Il will ascertain in a moment"
was the reply.
go ask Mr.. Stee,brim to come
here quick" said the operator to a
little negro who was doing near
the door. The little fellow rose up,
shook himself, rubbed his eyes with
his sleeve, gaped, and staggered up
against the wall and said: "Sir!"-
The order was quickly repeated and
the boy walked leisurely away. 1t
was but a few minutes until a little
black haired man, with long black
whiskers and dark expressive eyes,
entered the Office. His garments
were covered with grease and smut,
and his hands were thrust deep
down in his pockets, and a no care
sort ofexpression was visible on bis
face.
"ls number seven in good run,
ming order, Mr.. StoelbfimgA enquir,
ed the operator.
"Apple-pie, hunkadory, 0. K
no mistake. Never nothing wrong
with hat old gal when under my
command, you,bet," was replied by
the greasy little man as he limped
across the floor, for his left leg was
shorter by two inches than the 9TH
er.
Glow long before you can heal
her up and be ready to make a
quick run to Memphis, Mr.. Steel.
brim9"
do it in less than no time, sir
the old gals pretty hot now-jusI
began to cool her off. She haln'l
been in more'n ten minltS; bu'
what's up?"
IAN extra train to Memphis; {
quick run-very important-nt
time to be lOst-get ready immedi
ately; take one coach and back
down here, and the orders will b.
ready"
"Good! The Old gal can MAKE
the run in two hours, if she has
clean road and no bigger load thar
one coach. Glad to make tn,
run-wanted to go to Memphis an,
how-sweetheart there-want Il
sec her-was going 10 ask for Ieav,
any way-ten minits we'll be OF
like a creased streak of lightnln.
The greasy little man moved
away like he meant business.
"Number seven is in good order
Mr.. Steelbrim--snxious to max,
the rum" said the operator TO III,
superintendent by wire.
rStart him at eIght-ffty with on,
coach. Let him make the run il
two-thirty if he can. Order tract
to be cleared. Tell number four t,