Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1883-11-28
mailman Laughed again, his wild eyes
cleaning like fire, and shook his bar in


threatening and defiance.
Touch me if you darel I'm sent to
set the crooked straight. Here comes
the millennium! Clear the track for the
mlllennium!' And he was off.
Swiftly as an arrOw someone darted
through the crowd, ran along the track
and leaped on to the engine, clineinp.
no one knew quite how, as it moved
away. Dell found herself suddenly de.
serted, and could only move forward
with the others, who were followed with
eyes of mingled admiration and horror
the athletic young figure clinging and
swinging as the speed increased until
finally it forced its way into the cab.
"What terror to be let loose on the
roadl Wno can tell what he will run
into before he can be stopped" ex-
claimed one, with white face.
"Jim Barclay II manage him!
"Jim'll be killed." answered dissent
ing voices.
Jlm's unexpected appearance in the
cab, meanwhile, had momentarily con-
fused its occupant, who, until then. had
not been aware of his presence.
"Where did you come from ?" ho de-
manded III surprise.
"Flew down." painted Jim; "sent to
help you. But what on earth do YOU
mean by trying to start the millennium in
broa'. daylight ?"
daylight repeated Ichabod. be-
wi)dered by an earnestness and assur-
ance as ferceas his own.
"Don't you know we must wait until
the stars begin to fall? Besides, we
must go back and telegraph to all the
world to clear the track for u.s.
He was improving his companions
momentary confusion by gently edeing
into his place and crowding him back
while he urged the superior advantages
of his own plan of proceeding. All the
details of that brief, horrible ride Jim
could never clearly recall; but with the
engine once in his hands, he held DOS
session, and as soon as it was possible
reversed it, endeavoring the while to
distract the others attention by stream
of explanations concerning their joint
mission. The suggestion of clearing the
track seemed to suit Ichabod's crazed
brain, and Selling the cord near him he
chung to it SO pe1sisteutly that the
shrleking, deafening steam whistle
drowned out all further efforts at con-
versation, and never ceased it's terrible
din until they rolled back into the great
yard. Officers, police and train de.
spatchers had been hastily notified, only
to find themselves helpless in the matter,
and line OF anxious spectators watched
the engines return. Then, discovering
for the first time that his project was
f0lled, or bent upon some new scheme
no one could ever tell whlch-Ichabod
suddenly dropped the cord, and before
bis companion could surmise his inten-
ton leaped to the track. A moment Ia
ter he was drawn from under the cruel
wheels aud tenderly lifted.
$50 endetb-the first lesson" he
murmured, and then all earthly tangles
for hum were over and life's rough places
grew smooth and plain.
Jim was greeted with congratula-
tons, praises and questions on every
side.
'''That was brave deed of yours sir
"a dangerous undertaking, very skill
fully planned and executed, declared al
officer OF the road, with congratulatory
shake of the hand. "It far more than
cancels that little misfortune of yours
last fall. There is no telling where this
thing might have ended but for you.
Gail around at the office in the morning,
will you? We shall have something to
say to you.
"What does this mean ?" questioned
eager Dell, as Jim made his way tc her
side.
cit means that everything is all tight
again." answered Jim, with an odd
smile playing about his lips. "Queer
how soon bit of success can change a
great CRIME into merely a little mis-
fortune.'"
The excitement was over, and the yard
tlowly settled back to it's ordinary rou.
tine, but the young engineer and pretty
Dell fingered for last plying, tender
glance at the still form, reverently Gov
cred now.
"For whatever he may have been to
the rest Of the world, dear Jim, for us
he fulfilled his mission" said the girl
softly.