The Opelousas courier., 1889-01-05
JOHN DALES ALIBI-.
BY WALLACE P. REED.

Early in the present century the Kill
lingworth colliery was n Of the most
important mines in England. Railroads
at that day had not been dreamed of,
but the smoothest turnpike road in the
kingdom made transportation from the
mine to the city an easy matter.
A long July day was melting into the
shades of evening when John Dale
emerged from the village tavern and
walked across tho common He was a
young fellow, stoutiy built, and his
rough garb showedehim to be a laborer.
Dale's face was flushed, and as he
famed himself with his hat it would
have been plain even to a casual observer
in the twilight that he had taken more
strong drink than was good for him.
The young man had spent the day in
the tavern, and had reached the wide
awaae, surly and dangerous stage of
intoxication.
As he walked slowly along he cursed
the tavern keeper for refusing him
credit.
He has my wages" he said, sand
now he tells me to Get out. Well, it is
all right
Ho paused aud looked back. He
could see o score or more of miners
making their way to the tavern. They
had justbeen released from their work,
and were going to make a night of it.
~ was a fool" mustered Dale, ito
spend the day there by myself, when if
I had saved my money and waited, /
could have been with those good fell
lows. But it is too late to talk about
it,
The sound of footsteps attracted his
attention, and he saw a feeble-looklng
old man with q pack q his back moving
slowly across the comm IN.
ssThe peddler," said Dale bitterly,
.sthe stingy old rascal who laughed
when Oakes ordered me off the premises.
Cure him! j heard his gold clinking in
his pack, and he stood jeering at me
when ] was burning up for q drinkp'
A cloud settled over the young msn's
heavy, sodden face, and his frowning
brow and lurid eyes had . menac..ng
look.
For a moment he stood motionless,
struggling with the idea uppermost in
his mind, and then he darted of after
the vanishing form Of the peddler.
Ii was perhaps an hour later when
John Dale, under covef Of the darkness,
slipped into the grlny workshop oi
George Stephenson, his employer.
he lit a tallow candle and looked al
his hands.
aBlOodi" he exclaimed, Il thought
SOL felt r.
The ruddy glow had left his face, and
nothing but his flaming eyes indicated
his condition. Going to o tub Of water
il d corner Of the shop, he carefully
washed his hands, and then examined
his garments.
Good bic cried, after a brief but
searching inspection. NO traces arr
left now, and ! am ready for the othel
part of the job. But / wonder whal
Master Stephenson would think Of this
Who would have thought that the OLD
crank's invention would prove my sal
vation2',
When he uttered these words his ere.
were upon an oddlooking machine il
the middle Of the room. It was . queer,
clumey-looking contrivance, but il VA
destined to revoIutionize the world.
II was The first locomotive.
Month after month John Dale nat
worked In secret with his cranky ma te
on this machine. Outside Of the shot
nobody knew exactly what was goin;
Oh, and The hireling grew 20 interestes
IL his work that even IA his drunken
moments he kept s~tephenson's secret |,
himself.
Now IS he stood there, looking ut th,
little iron monster, emitting jets q
steam and fred up ready for 4 start
Dale could not repress ) smile 81 salts