Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-08-20

I .
TO Jim-he keeps a cracker in the locker. +"
Just then the starting gong struck;
but the train didn't start.
''Isn't this grand" murmured Miss
Sophia to the lieutenant; 'we're keeping
everybody waitingl Aren't we some,
thought hope he'll stay and talk an
hour"
But the good king reveres the law.
So when he heard the signal the mag
nate stopped his gossip and prepared to
leave them. "Well, you're off, {" he said.
Eve no doubt you'll enjoy yourselves.
Stevens moment Good day, all"
and with these parting words he disap-
peared, followed by Stevens, who expect
ed to receive a string of final instructions.
Just outside the door on the car plat
form, well removed from the guests on
the one hand and the cluster of train
hands at the car steps on the other, the
magnate stopped; and, once more, he
winked.
''She looks fine!" he whispered. 'She's
wearing fowers-are they yours"
81 believe so, sir" said the blushing
lover.
"That's rightp replied the magnate.
"Oh, you'll get her. Buttons is nowhere"
Then turning to the conductor, who
stood obediently at the foot of the steps,
he exclaimed, in tone of command,
"All right; go ahead!'
The conductor swung his arm, the
watchful fireman, in the far away cab,
drew in his head, the engine bell rang a
warning, the engineer pulled the throt-
tie, and with a puff and groan the train
started.
''Oh, we're OFF, cried Floy, and jump
ing up she ran to the rear platform,
where, standing on tiptoe behind Ste
vens, she waved dainty farewell over
his shoulder to the smiling magnate,
who lifted his hat in return.
BY" he muttered between his
teeth, chats pretty picture! And yet
1 suppose that boy envies me-"
He turned away with frown, and,
unmindful of the civilities of the railroad
employees in his path to the street, walked
rapidly thither, where he, the lord of
trade, whose palace was whirling past
the great white dome that some discon-
tented people said he owned, boarded
crowded street car, and standing in the
aisle hung on by a strap with one hand
while he fumbled in his pockets with
the other to find nickel.
Yes, they were off; and never had the
regal vehicle held more cubic feet of real
happiness than that night. They were
much too happy to long conform to that
artful grouping which the magnate had
arranged, for every one was eager to try
each luxurious seat and exhaust the
scope of view in every window. Then
they made the tour of the car under ex-
planatOry Jim, whose narrative and de-
scriptive powers were of high order.
Then for time they sank on the easy
chairs or lounges and enjoyed the simple
sense of mOtiOn-smooth, swift and 81
lent. But this pleasure was far too Sc
date to suit the prancing blood of youth;
besides, common folks could sit and talk
and read on the cars.
Lets play bezique!' cried Sophia; but
Jim confessed with an humbled air that
for once his resources failed him; he had
not enough cards.
"Well, Elements Them cried Floy,
that was ratified with a
shout: whereupon the friends pulled
their chairs into a circle, and the knot
ted handkerchief was tossed from one
lap to another till, tired and coughing
with laughter over this nonsense, they |
it for hunt the slipper, and |
finally, in merry madness, for a very
tipsy turvey innings of blindman's buff. |
Jim meanwhile was busy at the side |
board spreading a tempting lunch which
they needed no pressing to attack.
But just then they noticed the speed |
of the train was slackened and the rattle |
of switches and the dancing lights told |
them that they were nearing Baltimore.
Hurry up, good people!'' cried Sophia.
ave mustn't lose this lunch!"
''Oh, take your time, ladies'" said Jim,
blandly. you can stay in the car as
long as you like. We are switched off
here on to a siding"
sob, to be sure, replied Sophia, laugh
ing. Il forgot we were not common
folk"
And now the conductor entered, not to
collect tiekets-perish such a plebeian
to pay his respects to the
ladies' and explain to Stevens the return |
schedule. In another moment the train /
came to a standstin in the station, when
the party found occupation in looking
out and down on the anxious, hurrying
people, till pert little bantam locomo-
tive came Tuning up behind and drew
the car away from the train and to and
fro across the switches till it was snugly
deposited on a siding. Here, beyond the 1
noise and rush of trade, lunch was fin
lshed, and an hour Of waiting CHILLED"
by an exhibition of card tricks by Mr..
Quire, most of them ancient enough to
have been invented by Noah to relieve
the tedium of those forty rainy evenings
in the ark, but still fresh and bewilder-
ing to each new and unsophisticated
generation.
1T is very surprising" said Miss So
phia; and then she turned to Florence
and whispered: But after all / like Mr..
Stevens magic bestI'
Floy laughed and admitted that she
did too. Its like the Arabian Nights"
she cried aloud. Il believe the old Man
is really what-d'-you-call- 'em-a genie,
and that Mr.. Stevens has ring or a
pitcher somewhere that he rubs slyly.
Then the genie comes running up and
says: What do you want this time, Mr..
Stevens? and he says: Well, bring me
picnic to Baltimore for six'-and there
it isIn