Connecticut western news., 1883-10-31


 hold some peculiar fascination for him and he was discoursing on his favorite theme. Suddenly movement and murmur of excitement ran through the crowd, and its numbers were speedily augmented from various quarters of the building. Swiftly and unexpectedly the speaker had turned, and with single bound placed himself ill the cab of 8 locomotive that had for a moment been left untenanted. s'It's steamed up'' of! off" "Come out of thati" shouted several voices.
 But Ichabod laughed hoarsely and waved his long arms triumphantly above | his head.
 'sI'm the only man on this continent that can run an engine I'm ordered to take this one and go and turn the world right side up! Hurrah!'
 Two or three persons rushed forward, but he caught up an iron bar and yielded it so vigorously that they were compelled to fall back. Then, like flash, his hand seized the throttle-lever, and the dangerous steed he had chosen began | to show signs of life.
 'sPull him off p "Block the wheels!" rang out in conflicting orders.
 But the madman laughed again, his wild eyes gleaming like fire; and shook his bar in threatening and defiance.
 '"Touch me if you dare I'm sent to set the crooked straight. Here comes the millennium l Clear the track for the millennium P And he was off. Swiftly as an arrow some one darted through the crowd, ran along the track and leaped on to the engine, clinging, 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 following with eyes of mingled admiration and horror the athletic young figure clinging and swinging as the speed increased, until it finally forced its way into the cab.
 "What terror to be let loose on the road ! Who can tell what he will run into before he can be stoppedl ]" ex- claimed one with white face.
 "Jim Barclay Il manage him P
 ''Jim Il be killed! P answered dissent. ing voices.
 Jim's unexpected appearance in the cab, meanwhile, had momentarily con- fused it's occupant, who, until then, had not been aware of his presence. s'Where did you come from ?" he de- manded in surprise.
 'Flew down." panted Jim; sssent to help you. But what on earth do you mean by trying to start the millennium in broad daylight? ?"
 ''Daylight?" repeated Ichabod, be- wildered by an earnestness and assurance as fierce as 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 us.''
 He was improving his companions momentary confusion by gently edgine 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 own hands, he held possession, and as soon as it was possible reversed it, endeavoring the while to dis. tract the others attention by stream of explanations concerning their joint mission. The suggestion of clearing the track seemed to suit Ichabod's craze6 brain, and seizing the cord near him he clung to it so consistently that the shriek ing, deafening steam whistle drowned out all further efforts at conversation and never ceased it's terrific din unti they rolled back into the great yard Officers, police and train dispatchers had been hastily notified, only to fnG themselves helpless in the matter, and { line of anxious spectators watched tht engine's return. Then, discovering fol the first time that his project was foiIed or bent upon some new schelne-no ons could ever tell lwhich-lchabod suddenl, dropped the cord, and, before his com panion could surmise his intention leaped to the track. A moment later h, was drawn from under the cruel wheel and tenderly lifted.
 "So endeth-t the first lesson," he mur , mured, and then all earthly tangles fo him were over, and ife's rough place grew smooth and plain.
 ] Jim was greeted with congratulations praises and questions on every side. < '"That was 8 brave deed of yours. sir , "a dangerous undertaking, very skill } fully planned and executed" declaree an officer of the road, with congratula tory shake of the hand. ''It far nor than cancels that little misfortune o : yours last fall. There is no tellin, l where this might have ended but fo l you. Call around at the office in tn t morning, will you? We shall hay something to say to you" ' ''What does that mean ?' questione
 eager Dell, as Jim made his way to he l side.
 l "It means that everything is all righ again, answered Jim, with an odd smil about his lips. "Queer how soon bi l of success can change great crime int 5 merely a little misfortune. 3 The excitement was over, and tn
 yard settled back to ordinary routine but the young engineer and pretty De fingered for a last pitying, tender glanc at the still form, reverently covered now