Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-02-14
New Series-Vol. "a. No. 7


the gaeat corporations diSapproval
seemed to follow him in ali his efforts
z like blighting frost.
5 So the bright autumn leaves dropped
from the trees, leaving only brown and
: barren branches; the soft haze faded
, from the hills, and the narrow iron
track, stretching away over the frozen
Earth toward the cold gray sky, looked
to Dell's sorfowful eyes a fitting en-
6lem of the dreary liferOad that lay be-
fore her.
I'm going away tomorrow" Jim
was saying, as they passed slowly over
the bridge and down toward the town
1--we shown idi0cy enough in waiting
for any chance or justice. | mean to
go as far West as l can make my way.
and I'll come back when Eve some good
word to bring-if that time ever comes
1t was useless to combat his purpose;
there was nothing better to be done.
The girls wisful gaze strayed with
dreary persiStency to the track again.
What hard, morrow road it was,
stretching on to its cheerless goal-the
far-away wintry hOriZonl
| Down on the walk by the round-beuse,
a knot of loungerS had gathered. Icha-
'Ou III "dhOCAl httO OAOd5ub
MIN thither again-the place seemed to
hold peculiar fascination for him-and
he was discoursing on his faverite
theme. Suddenly movement and MUIR
mur 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, with a single
| hirncalf in no p4h Cf q 10
comOiive that had for moment been
been left untenanted.
Its steamed up" "Of off y Come
out of that" 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 an enginel I'm ordered to
take this one and go and turn the world
right side upl Hurrah!"
Two OF three persons rushed forward,
but he caught up an iron bar ard WELD
ed it SO vigorously that they were Obli-
ged 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.
"Pnll him off" Lock the wheels
rung out the conflicting orders. But
the madman laughed again, his will
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
millennium And he was off.
| Swiftly as an arrow some one darted
through the crowd. ran along the track,
/ nd Loo Nod f.lInu1nO
one knew quite 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 let loose on the
roadI Who Can tell what he will run
| into before he can be stOpped?" ex-
claimed one with white face.
Jim Barclay'l 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?' be 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 daylightr'
daylight p repeated Ichabod, bewil-
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 to clear the track for us =
He was improving his companions
momentary confusion by gently edglng
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 il WAS possible
reversed it, endeavOring the while TO
distract the others attention by stream
of explanations concerning their JOINT
InIssion. The suggestion of the track
seemed to suit Ichabod's craZed brain,
and seiZing the cord near him he clung
to it so perslstently that the shrleklng,
deafening steam whistle drowned out
all further efforts at conversation, and
never ceased its terrific din until they
had rolled back into the great yard. Of
ticers. police, and train dlSpatcheTS had
been hastily notified, only to ind them
selves helpless in the matter, and line
of anxious spectators watched the en-
gine's return. Then discovering for the
first time that his project WAS foied, or
bent upon some new scheme-no one
could ever tell which-Ichahod sudden
ly dropded the cord, and before his
companion could surmiSe his intention,
eaped to the track. n moment later
he was drawn from under the cruel
wheels and tenderly lifted.
$50 endeth-the first lesson" he mur-
INJURED, and then all earthly tangleS for
him were over, and lifeis rough places
grew 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 skill
fully planned and executed" declared an
officer, of the road, with q congratulate
nv shake of the hand. 1T far more
than cancels that little mlfortune of
YOURS 1ast fall. There Is no telling
where this thing might have ended but
for you. Call around at the office in the
morning, will you? We shall have
something to say to you.
What does that all mean?" question:
ed eager Dell, as jim made his way to
her side.
at means that everything is all right
again." answered jim, with an odd
smile playing about his lips. Queer
how soon bit of success can change
great crime into merely bit mistor-
tune"
The excitement was over, and the
ward slowly settled back to its ordinary
routine. but the young engineer and
pretty Dell fingered for a last pitying
tender glance at the still form, rever-
aDtlv cOvarel ROW