The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1892-04-05

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until the cars had drawn out of the
depot. Gradually the speed was in
creased until they were soon run
ming upon their regular time.
The superintendent could not re-
frain from casting several glances
of approval at Baxter as he noticed
how deity the stranger handled his
@iron horse As they drew near
the junction a short distance from
-, the regular engineer reached
for the whistle cord to sound the
usual blast, but he foundthe hand of
his substitute there before him, who
said to him with kind smile:
You see know the.road.'
''Truly you do, replied the super
lintendent, aand although I am
taking great chances, 1 think I will
let you go on with the train while
Baxter and return by the accom-
mediation.
As Baxter was about 10 step out
f the cab when the engine stopped
at La, he grasped the hand of the
stranger, and said with deep feeling
in his voice:
sob, sir, you have done me a
great favor tonight, and rest assur-
ed if it ever lies in my power shall
repay it"
@Don't mention it" was the
hearty rejoinder. aHurry home to
your wife, and don't worry about
the train; everything will be all
right"
Accordingly the superintendent
and Baxter returned to their homes
on the way train; but the former
felt by no means easy in his own
mind and remained in his office un-
til midnight, when he received a
dispatch from the end of the line
saying that train number 6S had
arrived all right and on time.
AS the official seated himself at
his his desk the following morning
his eyes rested upon a note from
the president of the entire system,
stating that he would arrive on the
2:15 train and wished to see him on
important business.
The hands on the clock in the
superintendent Office were resting
at a quarter past that hour when
Baxter entered.
"Well," began the official, as he
recognized his caller, "are you
going to shirk another trip to-
night?''
NO, sir; my wife is much easier
and l shall be at my post. ] came
up to thank you for letting me of
last night
ooh, it's turned out all right I'm
thankful to say. But
He would have gone further had
not the door opened and two gentle
men entered. One was the president,
who, stepping quickly forward, said
in a CHEEKY voice:
"Ah,good afternoon, Mr.. Curtis.
Allow me to introduce Mr.. Donald
son, the gentleman whom the
directors have elected to supersede
me in office"
AS the superintendent rose from
his chair to acknowledge the intro
duction, he almost tainted with sur
prise, for there before him stood the
substitute who, the night before,
had run the engine in place of the
regular driver.
"Why-why-is it possible2" he
stamered.
eyes, indeed, Mr.. Curtis" replied
the new President. L am the one
who drew on the overalls last night
for the first time in ten years, but
you see l had not forgotten how to
run the machine. 1 overheard
your conversation with this poor
man here,'' turning to Baxter. "I
pitied him in his dilemma and re-
solved to assist him. If you had
refused to allow me to act as his
substitute L should have made
known my identity then and there,
and requested you even to let the
fireman take his place, rather than
to keep the faithful engineer away
from the bedside of his wife. And
you, sir" continued the kind heart
ed railroad magnate to Baxter
''may lay OFF for a few days. We
will find some one to take your run
until your wife is recovered. And,
Mr.. Curtis, there is one thing
should suggest before we proceed
to other business, and that is from
this out treat your men kindly.
i This was lesson that the arbi.
| trary superintendent never foroot.