Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-08-08

ven, may never ndlfule shoNei
again, IL he amt there still! and I'll be
burned il he amt agOne and pulled up on
a dozen cars
"The engineer threw down his pipe and
looked beh nd, and there, sure enough,
was the biCycler As large as life, working
away for all he was worth. We'll, II tnat
amt "A cautiunl Come, Jim, slap on some
more of the feed, and well give him the
goodbye we've just got half an hour to
get into Stukleyvilie.'
The fireman shoveled in the coal, and
by and-by the train commenced 10 move
faster as the engineer let her out. Inc
fireman looked back; Jackson had lost
couple of car-lengths, the train moved
faster. and few moments later the engln-
eer looked behind; the hicycler had lost
the remaining ten car-lengths and was at
the extreme end of the train.
PILE on the coal, Jim, said the engin-
eer. and Wen soon own the S25
Another mile went over, and the IRE
man looked back once more
Where is he nowr' asked his con
frere
He must he round the bend
said the fireman; yes, there
he is, just coming round now; why. we've
lett MIN quarter OF nile.
There remained now but four-mile
stretch to Stokleyville, and every moment
the train was drawing ahead OF the bl-
cycler, who was evidently getting tired.
Before another mile was completed Jack
son was nearly half a mile behind; an
other mile went over, n sharp curve ap-
peared ahead. and the engineer slowed up
very complacently and good -humoredIy
for his cycling antagonist WAS toiling
along some three-quarters OF mile In the
rear The curve was reached, round 1t
went the train very slowly, aud then
there lay ahead the straight track into the
town.
Fire in some more coal" said the en-
giBeer But before the firemen had time
TO comply with the order, the train, which
had been travelling very slowly, came al
most suddenly 10 dead stop. Pun
went the engine whist, whist, went the
wheels; the train moved forward a little
again, and then stopped again, the engine
at the time working furiously.
What the devil is the matter now!
said the engineer as he looked at the fire
man.
That worthy's look of blank astonish
ment did not tend 10 abate his surprise
nor did the lugubrious answer vouch
safed by the fireman of guess were
busted throw much light on the state OF
affairs.
shut off steam said the engineer as
he Jumped down on the track and passed
round the engine. Everything appeared
TO be straight. Let her CO. he shouted
Puff, puff, and half a revolution of
the wheels without their gripping the
track left matters in statu quo.
We'll. what IN thunder does it all
mean he said then he walked forward
and rubbed his hand over the rails, and
when he took it up it was covered with
dark grease.
by this time all the train hands came
running up to see what was the matter,
and just as the engineer, who had at last
taken m the situation, was about TO open
on them the vials of his wrath, a dark
shadow passed along the side of the
track
~'The bicyclerr shouted the whole
crowd The bicycler did il! hold him!
stop himg IL was too late, however; they
might as well have tried to overtake a
limited express train going at full speed as
to endeavOr to catch our friend jackson,
who had shot by them like a flash, for he
well knew that, though the engineer
could have nothing more than suspicious
as to who had played the trick, still he
might fancy that those suspicious would
justify his taking out his revenge on his
cycling competitor. So, with wild
whoop of triumph, Jackson shot by the
troop of train hands at a pace which de
fed any pursuit which might be attempted
on Mother Natures appliances for loco
motion.
rIt would be futile to attempt TO depict
the chagrin of the engineer, or the comic
ally nonplussed appearance OF his compan
ions. After the first moment of surprise
had vanished, he and the fireman made a
rush for the sand box, but. as in the case of
Old Mother Hubbard and her cupboard,
when they got there the sand box was
bare-thanks to the foresight of Jackson
and then, TO finish up in rhyme, didn't
they swearg Half an hour after leaving
the happy crowd Jackson rode into Stok-
leyville, and the train steamed into the
town shortly after amidst the h Iotings
and jibings of the whole population, the
engineer and train hands being half dead
from the effects Of prolonged eNplora-
ton for a sand-pit, and from their eXer-
tious in doctoring the fixed-up rails with
the poor apology for sand which they were
fortunate enough to discover. And so,
gentlemen, most satisfactorily closed Will
Jackson's ride"
Thank you, Mr.. Neckar.' said the presi-
dent; ~and, gentlemen, before we adjourn
Just wish to remark that on our next
meeting night we may, perhaps. have the
pleasure of Mr. Chris. Wheeler's com
pany, when we must have something from
him. .n-Ninon Neckar in London Society.