The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1884-02-14

seem 10 nave turned up once more, ana
they can spare me indefinitely he ex-
planned to Dell, with pretense of
jocularity that scarcely covered the
bitterness. The brave little woman
tried to comfort and encourage him,
though the dancing light had gone out
of her brown eyes, and new grave lines
were deepening about the young lips.
The little house they had planned
seemed so like the shadowy ghost OF
dead hope that neither cared 10 talk of
it any more, and, indeed, Dell's ingenu-
ity found full occupation now in COM
batting the various wild schemes which
Jim, In his desperation, was constantly
forming. He had been away TO look
for employment, but business was dull
everywhere at this season; and, more
over, grown up in that railroad town,
where all interest and industry ceRtered
in the shops snd tracks, he had be-
longed TO the line from boyhood; he
could do but one thing. and there was
little chance for situation elsewhere
while the shadow of the great corpora
tons disapproval seemed to follow him
in all his efforts like blighting frost.
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 Dells sorrowful eyes fitting en-
blem of the dreary life road that lay
before her.
I'm going away tomorrow, Jim was
saying, as they passed slowly over the
bridge and down toward the town.
"Ive shown idiocy enough. in waiting
here for any chance of justice. l mean
to go as far West rs L can make my
way, and I'll come back when I've some
good word to bring-if that time ever
comes"
1t 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
a hard, narrow road it was, stretching
on to its cherries goal-the PARKWAY
wintry horizon!
Down on the walk by the round-house
q knot of loungers had gathered.
Ichabod Turner's vanderings had
brought him thither ngain-the place
seemed to hold some peculiar fascina-
ton for him-and he was discoursing on
his favorite theme. Suddenly move
ment 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
he. l. of IL I,
moment been left untenanted.
Its steamed upl OFF off Come
out of that" shouted several voices.
But Ichabod laughed hoarsely and
waved his long arms triumphantly
above his head.
Pm 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
obi ged to fall back. Then, like q
fash, his hand seized the throttle-lever,
and the dangerous steed he had chosen
began to show signs of life.
Pull 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 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,
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 o white face.
"Jim Barclay'll manage him!"
"Jim1l be killed. 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.
"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 daylight?"
"Daylight?" repeated Ichabod, be-
wildered by an earnestness and assur-
ance as fierce as his own.
Don't you know we must wait until
the stars begin to fail? Besides. we
must go back and telegraph to all the
world to clear the track for u.s..
He was improving his companions
momentary confusion by gently edging
into his place md 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 az soon as it was pos
sible reversed it, endeavoring the while
to distract the Others attention by q
stream of explanations concerning their