Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-03-29

which led across the low grounds TO the
broad opening ON the willow fringed
bank Of the river.
In an instant his attention was ar
rested by a boat nearing the bank-a
long, unwieldly, flat bottOmed affair,
presumably the ferryboat-guided ana
propelled by a couple of negroes with
long poles. In the end of the boat near
est the shore sat a man on horseback.
His reinS were gathered up, his body
bent slightly forward, and his knees
clamped the sides of his horse. Even
from a distance there was an alertneSS,
an eager precipitation, perceptible in his
air and attitude.
That fellow wants TO make the
train, Quoth the passenger occupying
the seat Just behind DR.. Royal. He
can't though-withOut wings. They
must be about through watering. Great
Scott, what q jump. Standing jump.
too. I'll bet a hat that's fox hunter.
"He'l get left"
NO be WON'T
Here he c0meS-pelting"
There goes the engine-confouud
it,"
These and other comments few about
the car, and every neck was craned for
a better view.
As the boat neared the bank the horse
man had lifted his Steed, touched him
with the whip, and cleared the remain
ing feet of water M bound. The horse
staggered and slipped, his hind legs
splaShing into the water, but recovered
himself with the yigOr aud address Ofan
animal used 20 rough Scrambling. and,
LAYING back his ears and stretching his
limbs, raced forward toward the sta
ton and the train. Excitement thrilled
through the ear. All the windows on the
side next the river We're open, and heads
were thrust out with the faces set in one
direction. Explanations. conjectureS,
contradictions and offers of bets passed
freely, the passengers on the eyentleSS
side stood the aisle and bent forward.
striving 10 peer over the shoulders OF
their more fortunate companions. Fifty
yards-thirty- ffteeu-oue more effort.
aud be would make il, In their eager
ness the men hung far out of the WIN
dows and prepared TO cheer.
The engine was getting up steam
vibrating and twitching the conductor,
unwilling Of the excitement, raised his
hand 20 the engineer; the cars were in
mOtiOn-he had been left behind he had
missed it, after all.
By no means. There he stood on the
rear platform, swayins with The motion
of the train ard gazing back TO where
his horse stood. like a statue, in the mid
die of the track. How had he managed
it2 Every body questioned everybody
else, and "a man who stood With his face
1attened against the glass Of the end
door supplied the information that ii had
been IA regular circus
As the train moved the horse had
bounded on the track close behind II,
the rider had thrown himself from the
saddle caught the handrail, and, with
a swerye and spring worthy Of his quad
rumanous ancestors, had landed himself
on the step of the platform. IL had been
q reckless thing TO do, rash and fool
hardy: but the success of the feat APP
peared 90 modify its risk in the minds Of
the spectators and leave room for Moth
ing but admiration of its agility. That
is. everybody appauded, except the IN
Quisitive lady whose imagination had
been set working along accident lines
earlier iu the day. who observed with
asperity that ''men might consider that
sort of thing fine and spirited, but it was
not 10 was idiOtic f0OliShneSS. and its
legitimate reward should be a cell and a
straight jacket
The horse. satisfied with his inSpec-
ton of the retreating train, whinnied
loudly. kicked up his heels as one who
cxults in past proweSS, and trOtted down
the embankment toward the stock field,
0oivi0uS alike of duty and the ailurlng
calls aud whistles of the negro advanc-
.ug toward him from the ferry. The
train rounded bend, and the gentle
man on the platform turned and tried
the handle of the car door. Ii was
locked. as the passengers had discovered
90 their annoyance quite early in the &C
tion. and by the time the conductor
came along and opened it matters had
relaDsed into normal condition in the
ear. and the newcomer was allowed TO
find himself a seat without other COM
ment than curious glanceS.
He was a muscular, broad Shoudered
man, with a clean Shayen face, blue
gray eyes. a brown muStache and close
cut hair. His clothes were trim and set
20 his figure, his linen was above re-
proach and his hat the regulation Struct-
ure with which fashion had crowned the
male populace; but there was that about
him. whether in the capable look of the
hand and forearm, the alert glance and
decisive movements. or all taken to-
gether, which caused the behOlder, in
voluntarily, 20 strip from him civilized
accessories, invest his sturdy frame with
flannel and corduroy, clap pistol in the
rear pocket of his trousers, a horse be-
tween his ankles, and set him on prai-
RE with lariat on his saddle peak, Il
storm growing along the horizon, and
an uuruly bunch of cattle close at hand.
The man S whole atmosphere suggested
action and ability to cope with physical
forces.
The place he selected was directly be-
hind that occupied by DR.. Royal, and he
slipped out of his OyercOat and threw IL
across the back of the seat with the
gesture of man who considers the gar
ment superiority. As he settled him
self he opened his window, letting a
rush of cold air into the car.
For half an hour the mOnotOny was
unDroken save by the usual trivialities
of travel Then the newcomer bent for
ward and scrutinized the man in front OF
him iutently, muttered an exclamation
that sounded like THE devil" rose and
came swiftly round to the adjoining
seat. Dr. Royal was huddled against
the window with his head dropped for
ward on his breast, apparently asleep.
but when the stranger lifted him gently
into a moro comfortable position and
turned his face TO the light it's pallor
was CHASTITY and the eyes had a semi
conscious expression Of pain.
HAS anybody got a pillow?-and an
other rug?" The young man raised his
voice aud looked about him, reaching
over AZ the same time for his own over