The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-19


hold some peculiar fascination for him
and he was discoursing on his favorite
theme. Suddenly a movement and MUIR
muir 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 q single bound placed
himself in the cab of locomotive that
had for moment been left untenanted.
"It's steamed upp "Uff, off Come
out of that" shouted several voices.
But Jchabod laughed hoarsely and
waved his long arms triumphantly above
his head.
"T'm the only man on this continent
that can run an engine Pm ordered to
take this one and 60 and turn the world
right side upl Hurrah !"
Two or three persons rushed forward,
but he caught up an iron bar and welded
it 30 vigorously that they were obliged TO
fall back. Then, like flash, his hand
seized the throttle-lever, and the danger
Gus steed he had chosen began to show
signs of life.
"PuIl him off Block 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 you dare I'm sent to set
the crooked straight. Here comes the
millennium Clear the track for the mil
lennium F" 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 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 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
road Who can tell what he will run
into before he can be stopped |" exclaimed
one with white face.
"Jim Barclay'll manage him"
"Jim'n be killed !" answered dissenting
voices.
Jim'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 % he de-
manded in surprise.
"Flew down." painted Jim; "sent to
help you. But what on earth do you
mean by trying to start the millennium in
broad daylisht2'
daylight ?" repeated Ichabod, Devil
dered 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 tc
clear the track for u.s."
He was improving his companions mo-
mentary confusion by gently edging into
his place and crowding him back, while
he urged the superior advantage of hi.
own plan of proceeding. All the detail;
of that brief, horrible ride, Jim coulc
never clearly recall but with the engine
once in his own hands he held possession
and as soon as possible reversed it, en-
deavoring all the while to distract the
others attention by stream of explana
tions concerning their joint mission. The
suggestion of clearing the track seemed
to suit 1chabod's crazed brain, and Selling
sistently that the shreiking, deafenin(
steam whistle drowned out all further
efforts at conversation, and never ceasec
its terrific din until they rolled back intt
the great yard. Officers, police, and train
dispatchers had been hastily notified
only to find themselves helpless in tn
matter, and line of anxious spectator,
watched the engines retura. Then dis
covering for the first time that his projsc
was foiled, or bent on some new scheme
no one could ever tell which-IchaboC
suddenly dropped the cord, and before hi
companion could surmise his intention
leaped to the track. A moment later h.
was drawn from under the cruel wheel
and tenderly lifted.
$50 endeth-the first lesson" he mur
INJURED, and then all earthly wraugles TO
him we're over, and life's rough place
were smooth and plain.
Jim was greeted with congratulations
praises, and questions on every side.
"That was brave deed of yours, sir
a dangerous undertaking, very skilfull.
planned and executed" declared an Office
of the road, with congratulatory shak
of the hand. at far more than cancel
that little misfortune of yours last fal
There is no telling where this thing nigh
have ended but for you. Call around a
the Office in the morning, will you w
shall have something to say to you"
"Whst does this mean ?" question:
eager Dell, as Jim made his way
her side.
alt means that everything is all RICH
again." answered Jim, with an odd smil
playing about his lips. 40 leer how 500
bit of success can change great Grim
into a little misfortune"
The excitement was over and the var
slowly settled back to its ordinary routin,
but the young engineer and pretty d,
fingered for last plying, tender glanc
at the still form, reverently covered now,
For whatever he may have been to tn
rest of the world, dear Jim, for US he fu
filed his mission" said the girl, softly
Kate W. Hamilton.
: lokL