The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-12-31
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chasing usP Good heavens. Il she had /
not known il, what an awful loss OF /
life there would have been; Il was very /
careless Of the superintendent to follow /
our train in such reckless manner.
''You feel better, my dear," said the
president
''Yes, sir, thank you. I'm sure I'm
thankful. knew John-I mean the
engine was coming"
You cannot be more grateful than
we are to you for averting such disas-
trous collision"
I'm sure I'm pleased. sir. I never
thought the telegraph"
She paused abruptly.
What telegraph"
I'D rather not tell, SIR
''But you will tell US how you knew
the engine was comingp"
'1Must you know?"
I'VE ought to know in order to re-
ward you properly"
She put up her hand in a gesture Of
refusal, and was silent The president
and directors consulted together. and
two of them came to her and briefly said
they would be glad to know how she
had been made aware of the approach
ing danger.
SWeli, sir. if John is willing. win
tell you all"
John Mills, the engineer, was called,
and he came in, cap in hand and the
entire company gathered round in the
greatest eagerness.
Without the slightest affectation she
put her hand on Johns grimy arm, and
said
shall tell them. Johnp They wish
to know about it 1t saved their lives,
they say"
s;And mine, too" said John, reverent-
ly. "You had best tell them, or let
me-"
She sat down again, and then and
there John explained how the open cir
cult line had been built, how it was
used, and frankly told why it had been
erected.
Never did story create profounder sem
sation. The gentlemen shook hands
with him, and the president actually
kissed her for the company. A real cor
poration kiss, loud and hearty. The
ladies fell upon her neck, and actually
cried over the splendid girl. Even the
children pulled her dress, and put theil
arms about her neck, and kissed away
| the happy tears that covered her cheeks
Poor child! She was covered with
confusion, and knew not what to say OIL
| do, and looked imploringly to John
He drew near, and proudly took hel
hand in his, and she brushed away tn,
tears and smiled.
The gentlemen suddenly seemed Il
have found something vastly interesting
to talk about, for they gathered in
knot in the corner of the room. Pres
emily the president said aloud
'Gentlemen and directors, you mus
pardon me, and trust the ladies viii
do the same, if call you to order for
brief matter of business.
There was a sudden hush, and tn
room, now packed to suffocation, wa
painfully quiet
''The secretary will please take min
utes of this meeting"
The secretary sat down at Hates desk
and then there was 4 little pause.
'Mr. Presidentr'
Every eye was turned to a corne
where a gray-haired gentleman ha
mounted a chair.
''Mr. PRESIDENT"
''Mr. Graves, director for the State
gentlemen"
Il beg leave, sir, to offer a resolu
ton"
Then he began to read from slip c
paper
Whereas, John Mills, engineer @
engine number 49, of this railway line
erected private telegraph; and where
as he, with the assistance of the tele
graph operator of this station Il leave
blank for her name), used the said lin
without the consent of this Company
and for other than railway business:
cit is resolved that he be suspende,
1 Tlnr10onnnflu
| gineer, and that the said operator b
requested to resign"
A murmur of disapprobation filed tn
room, but the president commando
silence, and the State director went on
resign her place.
''It is further resolved, and is hereb
| ordered, that the said John Mills be ant
Is appointed chief engineer of the new
repair shops at Slawson."
A tremendous cheer broke from tn
assembled company, and the resolution
was passed with shout of assent.
How it all ended they never knew
1t seemed like dream, and they coulC
not believe it true till they stood alon,
in the winters night on the track be
side that glorious $50" The few car
the engine had brought up had beer
joined to the train, and ''59" had beer
rolled out on the siding. With man,
handshakings for John, and heart
kisses for Kate, and a round of partin!
cheers for the two, the train had speS
away. The idlers had dispersed, anC
none fingered about the abandoned
station save the lovers. ''69' would
stay that night on the siding, and the
had walked up the track to bid it q Ions
farewell.
For few moments they stood in tn,
glow Of the great lamp, and then h,
quietly put it out, and left the giant t.
breathe away its fiery life in gent,
clouds Of white steam. As for the lover
they had no need Of its light Tn,
winter stars shone upon them, and tn.
calm. cold night seemed q paradist
below.