Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-05-11

and career was aroused Dy IneSe WOfds5
he nudged the throttle open little far
ther, and the old look of satisfaction
came upon his stern face. But this was
only for moment. Iimidity and dis
content were becoming more than ever
marked in him, and Jack found his
father anything but a cheerful running
mate. But Jack didn't mind that. He
loved his father dearly and did the best
he could to comfort and cheer him.
you'll be all right in a day or two,
father, he said; ''the machine Is new
and the light is brighter than you are
accustomed to, but you'll like them
both before long"
'eNo, won't" the old man replied,
stubborn in his unhappiness and fore
bodings, ''they are determined to drive
me off the road with their new tangled
concerns. They don't want the old
man any longer. They want me to get
behind time every day or two and have
the boss looking after me and bouncing
me- But I'll fool 'em yet. I'll make
time cor and by the way his father
set his teeth Jack knew that the old
man meant to drive ahead through day
and through darkness, whether he
could see or not.
''But you must leave the road, Jack"
said Jasper, as he pulled up at
station, ''you must leave the road, boy.
There's trouble coming, and there's no
reason why you should be in it"
But L can't leave the road, father.
I know no other way to earn Twin g,
and, besides, L want to stay with
you"
''No, no; you have only yourself to
! support, and you can do that at any
thing. Besides, you viii not be left
without a little"
But, father" Jack interrupted,
Il have more than myself to sup
port, or soon viii have. Fa-father,
Mary has promised to marry me-"
Jacks voice faltered, though he was
not usually timid in the presence of his
father. Jasper looked up with puzzled
face.
For the life of me I can't understand
| what girl can see to admire in a big
lout of a fellow like you" he said, at
the same time bestOwing upon his
| brawny and grimy son a look which
beied his words: what does the girl
love you fOr?"
81 don't know, father" said Jack,
bashfully, and bowling his head as if to
look at the water-gauge, 4 don't know,
unless it is because she thinks I am to
4
it. She wouldn't love me, I'm afraid,
If L were to leave the road. I'm just
sure she wouldn't"
Jack said this without guile. He be-
ieved it, and his father believed it, too.
The old man smiled under his gray
beard, so greatly did the artless com
pliment please him. And so, almost
without an effort, and without realizing
how elOquently he had plead his cause,
Jack won his fathers consent to his
remaining on the engine. He was to
marry the girl he loved, and had his faith
res consent to marry as quick as he
liked. OF course Jack was very happy,
and whistled little tune as he opened
the furnace door and shoveled huge
scoops of coal into the glowing firebOx.
Mary Clifford was a pretty girl
She had great brown eyes which looked
out from under a brow of marble
whiteness. Her home was near the
railway track, and there Jack had first
seen her while taking occasional rides
with his father before mounting the
fOOt-bOard as fireman. Mary used tC
stand out at the front gate and watcE
the cars go by. A locomotive was hel
ideal of strength and beauty. Jasper's
old engine was Respondent with brass
trimmings and ornaments, and these
kept as shiny as a good HOUSEWIFE
silver, had caught both the eye and the
fancy of the big-eyed maiden and done
more than half the woOing for the boy
who so proudly rode by his fathers side
Once when the accommodation stopped
near her home to wait for the passing
of an extra, to crafty her curiosity
she came out, and was urged to visit
the locomotive cab and sit on the
engineers perch, and her bravery was
tested by an invitation to mount the
pilot or ''cowcatcher" and ride down tt
the railway crossing, half a mile away
She was equal to the occasion, and
, thought the odd ride such rare spOr
that for many day after, and ever
after she had grown to be a dignifeC
young lady, she lOnged to repeat thu
experience.
Well, the wedding day was set, anC
all preparations were duly made, Jacl
! continuing meanwhile to ''fre" No
! 451 for his father. Jasper was becOm
ing familiar with the new engine, bu
the electric headlight he could no
q endure without many words of grumb
r ling and many fOrebOdings for tn
} future. To add to his troubles at
time when he was little able to bea
/ new burdens, he was transferred frOI
!. his old run on the accommodation to a
I express train. Most men would hav
! taken this as an honor, but to oil
. Jasper it was an affrOnt which he couI
( not forgive. Nor could he help
r either, and so he took the new run
! which ambitious Jack was glad to gel
f and between them they made very goo
. time night after night.
r A couple of weeks before the weddin
I .1av- Toe-,o-. Oh I'll -