The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1884-02-14

blem of the dreary life road that lay
before her.
"Im going away tomorrow, Jim was
saying, as they passed slowly over the
bridge and down toward the town.
I've shown idiocv enough in waiting
here for any chance Of justice. mem
to go as far West rs / can make my
way, and I'll come back when I've some
good word to br.ng-if that time ever
comes.
It was useless to combat his purpose;
there was nothing better to offer. The
girls wistful gaze strayed with dreary
persistency to the track again. What
! hard, narrow road it was, stretching
on to its cheerless goal--thc far-away
wintry horizon.
Down on the walk by the round-house
= knot Of lounRers had gathered
1chabod Turner's anaerings had
broatSht him thither again--the place
seemed to hold some peculiar fascina
tion for him--and he was discoursing on
his favorite theme. Suddenly move
mcnt and mnrmur Of excitement ran
were spcedil, augmented from various
quarters of the building. Swiftly and
unexpectedly the speaker had turned.
and with single bound placed himself
in the cab Of locomotive that had for
a moment been left untenanted.
Its steamed up! Off off! Come
ont of tlat!' shouted several voices.
But Ichabod laughed hoarsely and
waved his long arms triumphantly
above his head.
I'm the only man on this continent
that can run on 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
welded it SO vigorously that they were
obliged to fall back. Then, like q
flash, his hand seized the throttle-lever,
and the dangerous steed he had chosen
began to show signs Of life.
"Pall him off," "Lock the wheels!"
rang out in conflicting orders. But
the mailman laughed again, his wild
eyes cleaning like fire, and shook his
bar in threatening and defiance.
Touch me if yon darcl I'm sent to
set the crooked straight. Here comes
the millennium! Clear the track for
the millennium" And he was off.
Swiftly as an arrow some one darted
through the crowd, ran along the track,
and leaped on the engine. clinging, no
one knew how, as it moved away. Dell
found herself suddenly deserted, and
could only move forward with the
others, who were following with eyes
of mingled admiration and horror the
athletic figure clinging and swinging as
the speed increased until it finally
forced its way into the cab
"What terror to be left loose on
the road. Who can tell what he will
run into before he can be stopped!' ex-
claimed one with white face.
"Jim Barclay'll manage him!"
"Jim'll be killed." answered dissent
ing voices.
| Jim's unexpected appearance in the
cab, meanwhile, had momentarily con-
fused its cupant. Who until then had
not been aware of his presence.
"Where did yon come from ?" he de-
manded in surprise.
FLEW down, painted jim; "sent to
help Won. But what on earth do you
mean I1v trying to STAT the millennium
in broad daylight
"Dayllght?s repeated lchabod, be-
wildered by an earnestncss and assur-
ance 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 s
momentary confusion by gently cdging
into his place and crowiing 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 pos
sible reversed it, endeavoring the while
to distract the others attention by q
stream Of explanations concerning their
| joint mission. The suggestion of clear
ing the track seemed to suit Ichabod's
crazea brain, and seizing the cord near
| him he clung to it SO persistently that
the shrieking, deafening steam whistle
drowned ont all further efforts at con-
versation, and never ceased its terrific
din until they rolled back into
the great yard. Officers, police,
and train dispatchers had been
hastily notified, only to find them
selves helpless in the matter, and a
line OF anxious spectators watched the
engines return. Then, discovering for
the first time that his project was
foiled, or bent upon some new scheme
no one could tell >which-lchabod
suddenly dropped the cord, and, be-
fore his companion could surmisc his
intention. leaped to the track. \ mo-
ment later he was drawn from under
the cruel wheels and tenderly lifted.
$50 endeth-the first lesson. he mnr-
INJURED. and then all earthly tangles for
him were over, and life's rough places
grew smooth and plain.
Jim was greeted with congratnla-
tions, praises, and questions on every
side.
Il hat was a brave deed o. yours, sir
"A dangerous undertaking, very skill
fully planned and executed" declared
an officer of the road, with congratu.
latory shake OF the hand. 1t far more
than cancels that little misfortune oi
yours last fall. There i, no telling
where this thing might have ended but
fcr YOU. Call around ut the o.i'ee in
the morning, will YOU? We shall have
something to say to yon.
"Wha. does that mean questioned
eager Dell. as Jim made his way to hen
side.
1T means that everything is all
right again." answered Jim, with an
odd smile playing about his lips.
Queer how soon hit of success CIR
change great crime into merely a
little misfortune.
The excitement WIS over. and the
yard slowly settled back to its ordinar,
routine, hut the young engineer ana
pretty Dell fingered for last pltying
tender glance ut the still form, reyer
emily covered NOW.
For, whatever he may have leen I,
the rest OF the world, dear Jim, for III
he fulfilled his mission, said the girl