The Delaware farmer., 1883-11-02


that neither cared to talk of it any more
and indeed Dell's ingenuity found full
occupation now in combating the various
wild schemes which Jim in his despera.
ton was constantly forming. He had
been away to look for employment, but
business was dull everywhere at this
season; and, moreover, grown up in that
railroad town, where all interest and in
dustry centered in the shops and tracks.
he had belonged to the line from boy
hood; he could do but the one thing, and
there was little chance for situation
elsewhere while the shadow of the great
corporations disapproval seemed to fol-
low him in all his efforts like blighting
frost.
So the bright autumn leaves dropped
from the trees, leaving only brown and
barren branches; the soft haze faded
from the hills; and the narrow iron track,
stretching away over the frozen earth
toward the cold gray sky, looked to Dell's
sorowful eyes a fitting emblem of the
drea1y life-road that lay before him.
'I'm going away tomorrow" Jim was
saying, as they passed slowly over the
bridge and down toward the town. GIVE
shown ldiocy enough in waiting here
for any chance of justice. Imean to go
as far west as can make my way, and
I'll come back when I've some good
word to bring-if that time ever comes. .
1t was useless to combat his purpose;
there was nothing better to offer. The
girls wistful gaze strayed with a dreary
persistency to the track again. What a
hard, narrow road it was, stretching on
to its cheerless goal-the far-away wintry
horizonl
Down on the walk by the round-house
a knot Of loungers had gathered Icha-
bod Turner's wanderings had brought
him thither again-the place seemed to
hold some peculiar fascination for him
md he was discoursing on his favorite
.heme. Suddenly a movement and !
nmmur of excitement ran through the !
'rowd, and its numbers were speedily
from various quarters of the
Swiftly and unexpectedly the {
peaker had turned, and with a single L
,ound placed himself in the cab of S
that had for a moment been
eft untenanted.
cts steamed upl" "OF! off"
Come out of that!' shouted several
oices.
But Ichabod laughed hoarsely and d
ayed his long arms triumphantly above 0
is head. /"
'I'm the only man on this continent p
lat can run an engine I'm ordered to u
Ike this one and go and turn the world e
ght side upl Hurrah" p
Two or three persons rushed forward, .
ut he caught upan iron bar and welded Il
so vigorously that they were compelled W
fall back. Then, like a flash, his u u
and seized the throttle-lever, and the u u
steed he had chosen began II
show signs of life. a'
'Pull him Off" "Block the wheels!o sc
ng out in conflicting orders. "l
But the madman laughed again, his Sc
Id eyes cleaning like fire; and shook "
S bar in threatening and defiance.
''Touch me if you dare Tn sent to 1el
the crooked straight. Here comes Ia a.
e millennium Clear the track for otl
e millennium !" And he was off. a''
Swiftly as an arrow some one darted D1y
rough the crowd, ran along the track 'r,
d leaped on to the engine, clinging, Vel
one knew quite how, as it moved 'su
ay. Dell found herself suddenly de- 'i'
ted, and could only move forward lne
-h the others. who were following 20
ii eyes Of mingled admiration and "n'
TOR the athletic young figure clinging PEI
swinging as the speed increased. O''
til it finally forced its way into the @ eA'
what a terror to be let loose on the wa
d! Who can tell what he will run sui
. before he can be stopped !" ex- an'
med one with white face. vln
Jim Barclay II manage him p get
Jim II be killed p answered dissent. ma
voices. ne,
inns unexpected appearance in the ma
3, meanwhile, had momentarily con- yer,
ed its occupant, who, until then. had exc
been aware of his presence. 9th
Where did you come from ?" he de- up,
lded in surprise. and
Flew down, painted Jim; "sent to Piles
, you. But what on earth do YOU Jou
IN by trying to start the millennium
road daylight" ?"
Dayhght?" repeated Ichabod, be- J,