Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-20

loomed up just ahead, when I felt tap on
my arm, and turning saw that he had seated
himself opposite me.
"Say, mister" said he, in an altered, sub
! missIve tone, II hope you're not going tc
cut up rough because OF what 1 said way
back there; you must 'xcuse that. You see
first coming aboard train conductor has
terrible zeal to think about, and night
work amt improving to mans temper"
had an instructive dislike for 1.-The man,
and there was something false and fawning
in his tone; but could scarcely refuse his
profered apology, and so expressed myself
satisfied.
Come, now, that's kind of you." he went
on. "Well, respectin' this friend of yours.
You see, I've been pestered several times
lately by people comm along and wantin'
to know this and that and the other about
other people. seemin' as if they thought l
was paid tracker, and it was partly that
that riled me when knew what you were
after. But it has come to me as I've been
Talkin' these cars that do remember some
thin about young fellow suchsias you're
lookin' for-Johnny Bull warn't hep"
"Yes, he was English" said.
81 reckon it's the same. As a rule I
don't take no stock in Johnny Bulls, seein'
what my family's suffered from them; but
this young man had nice free way with
him, somethin' like you, and he was
strangely taken up with the scenery much
as you might be, and me and him had con-
siderable chat together"
"Did he go through with you?" 1 asked.
"Cert'nly! My division ends right there
at Whaycom, where he'd got to change for
the Silverbow branch, and we left the car
together. 1 recollect him asking me which
ho froi ha do
straight for it, and that's the last 1 saw of
him. Mean to say you amt heard of him
since?" he asked.
Not a word" answered, and as I did
so wondered more than ever what it was
in this mans face which repelIed me so
powerfully.
"Well, that's strange he went on.
"But Silverbow's s particular hot place
particular hot-and a mans got to walk
terrible straight, and not to wink either, if
he means to keep clear of hard citizens; and
they're particularly rough on tenderfeet,
thinkin' the place is film up too fast. But
easy; I'm acquainted up there, and I'll put
you right with some people'n help you if
anyone will"
But even this unexpected kindness did
not conquer my feeling of repugnsnce, and
when, in talking, he leaned forward as if to
put his hand on my knee, involuntarily
shifted so as to avoid it. He noticed the
and could see resented it, and
a curious expression crossed his heavy
sodden features. But his irritation was only
and he resumed the conversa-
ton, though with an abrupt change of SUBJ
ject.
''You like sceneries?" he asked.
Indeed do" replied, when it is as
fine as this.''
"Ah, but we've not got among it yet" he
said. Further on now there are some
sightsl There's one place in particular
would you like to see it?'' he asked alb
ruptly, and as he spoke he fixed his restless
eyes intentlv on mine.
Not until then did 1 discover what it was
which gave the strange expression to his
face, and now 1 suddenly noticed that the
pupils of his eyes were slightly distorted,
and that one was distinctly larger than the
'ther. At the same time there came strongly
,ver me the impression that his face was
amiliar to me, but for the moment 1 strove |
n vain to reoIlect where had seen it.
hough felt lure that it had been in disa- |
,reeable or painful circumstances. 1 asked |
lin absently what the view was that he so |
much wished me to see.
'The place is just before we reach Whay-
om, was his reply. 1--WE cross a long |
restle over Lake Kalipaw, and right there, |
t you know where to look, you can see the |
Inest view of the Rockies; and it's Just |
ucky for you you're coming along at full |
noon when there's light enough to show
he snow mountains behind the lake"
He vas so enthusiastic in his description |
hat felt interested in spite of myself, and /
old him that l should indeed like to see |
hat view, and asked him, if 1 fell asleep, to
ouse me when we reached the place. 1t |
eemed to please him that I requested this |
f him.
''You bet will, - he said ardently. "Its |
ust my particular favorite show on this
pad, and l don't like any one that's a friend
mine to pass without seeing it-leastwise
+ he's fond of sceneries.''
He sat little longer, and pointed out to
le few places OF interest as we thunGered
long through the darkening day, but,
evertheless, felt quite relieved when he
OF up and lett me. NV long journey be-
an to tell upon me. 1 felt weary and de-
ressed, ard longed for sleep. But it was
n vain that assumed the easiest positions
nd closed my eyes determinedly: sleep
'ould not come, save in short, ftfuI
matches, which seemed only to increase my
everishness. When night ieli the car be-
anne insufferably close and hot, and when
shut my eyes the jarring of the train be-
an to shake all kinds of ugly visions over
~ brain; the same ring of races was closing
1und NE as had tormented ME upon the
rairie, again L heard Williams voice
alling to me out of the uproar, and all at
nee l recognized in one OF the faces the
neven eyes of Conductor Dick. With a
5rong effort to control my wandering
enses got up and paced the car. but still
ne vision clung to me- What could it
ortend? kept asking myself; though all
ne time NV reason and experience told me
lat it was but the result of an exhausted,
frame, and that my wild
otion that this mans face was among those
hich had appeared to me on the prairie
as only an idle trick OF the imagination
nd memory.
To get rid of the suffocating feeling I
epped out upon the platform of the car
ito the cool rush of air. 1t was a perfect
light. The still white moon had risen and
as shining upon the waters OF swift river
hose course we followed. Dark, pine-clad
opes were vaguely outlined above us on
ther hand, melting imperceptibly upward
ito slumbering mountains whose massive
auquility rebuked our clamorous hurry.
nee more under this benign influence nv
lncies vanished and my mind recovered its
'mposure. Yet l could not venture again
ithin, but, wrapping my coat tighter round
e to keep out the cold, watched the miles
y past. 1 scarcely know how long I had
ood thus, when started nervously at feel
g hand on my arm, and saw.that it was
onductor Dick, who had opened the car
Dor unheard, and now stood beside me on
e narrow ledge.
Wondered where you'd got" he said.
But you do right to come out here; it's
easanter than inside. But say, now,
'pe you weren't worrying yourself about