San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1883-01-11

event it," As he moved of, he NUT,
tered, "He did not recognize me- ana
I'm glad OF. it."
But where would he go? He turned
| his face up TO the storm rudely hing
ing into it handful of damp, dissolv'
ing flakes. ,.,,o.o and
I'm sure / don't know where they live
NOWADAYS. Buht what's that hght9
Moving toward the latter, he entered
a little lane.
Everything closed up, even the
houses where the lamps are lighted,
muttered the man. "Oh, jolly! here's
an open door," ,,
Over this open door, which led into
an entry, was lamp enclosed in
red shade. The wind from the sea
ANNOYED this flame, and itswayed and
fiared till it looked like a red eye wink
ing at the man and reckoning to him.
) @Don't know" said the man hest
tatingly. 1T looks warm there, but
what did he say about graveyard cold9
| | may get cup of tea down there,
but before l go, l will settle this thing"
Pulling his flask out of his pocket,
he whirled it against q dark object on
the other side of the lane. Smash?
he murmured; that's gone. Now
inside. --l.1 ~9rN .I :,
"Have something warm?" inquired
the bartender. Its cold out, amt
lit?"'5 .r. be- .sru,~...J .s..e
"Yes, but if / NEEDLE with that |
shall be graveyard-cold sooner than l
want to be-"
ooh, stop-your preaching! We have
no room for5such orators" E't.l
"Iguess you have if l trade with
you. Cup of tea and pie, quick as
you can. y I've money enough for
that" Wp,
The tea and pie were carried into a
stall and the stranger sat down to his
lunch. He made the eating of his
small lunch cover the lapse of a big
hour, and at the end of that time,
others were occupying stall adjoin-
ing his. He recognized one voice as
that of the engineer who had tipped
his flask.
"It's true I've lost my place, but"
What was that? Accident happened
and somebody discharged-perhap
that fireman also? The stranger ele-
waited all ear as near as he dared to
the top of the partition dividing the
stalls, and then listened for the next
statement. The engineer was repeat
ing his words: Its true I've lost my
place, but. I've not lost a chance to
make him sorry for it"
How did it happen?" asked his
companion.
why, teller happened along and
offered me liquor, and | took it j ust
a little, you know, but not enough to
set a frog on end. Well, the station
agent happened to see it, and felt it
to be his duty to report it to the SUI
perintendent, who lives here. In the
mean time, takes my engine down
a mile below to the Round House
Station, you know. Leavin' her there,
[ walked back to town and met the
superintendent, a few moments back.
If he didn't give me dressin', and
said no man could drink on his road,
as too many lives were trusted to a
feller's care and all such stuff"
,"Nonsense!'' CALCULATED the other
man. ,..'..,
superintendent is right" inward
ly growled the ownerof the ear above.
$50 he said l might quit, and he'd
give my berth to the fireman, that
little Puritan. He is to come along
with the morning train, but I'll fix
EN- all some time"
"That's my mind" rejoined his
companion. You know how I lost
my place on the road"
The listener then heard a plan of
revenge discussed. He lost most of
it's details, as the men talked in a
whisper at times, but he heard enough
to warrant the opinion, "Those man
are going to wreck that morning train
if, they can"
The engineer and his accomplice
went out in a little while, and dark
shadow speedily stole after. them,
hurrying as they hurried, dropping
behind as they slackened their steps,
following them as they passed along
the leading town-street dimly hlghted
with smoky oil lamps or wooden posts.
The two men ahead left the street
finally, and struck across an open