Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1892-03-01
THE SUBSTITUTE.

In the railway depot of busy, bust.
ling town in the southern part of Ohio
locomotive stood painting and snorting as
II impatient to speed away on its jour
uey.
The fireman was giving his last touch
to the brightly polished brass work, while
the engineer and the district superintend-
ent stood upon the platform beside the
cab.
Another train had just drawn into
the station and its passengers were
emerging from the cars and hurrying
away. Some Of them overheard a por-
ton of the conversation that was taking
place between the two men as they passed,
and one. middle aged, welldressed in
dividual, seemed greatly impressed with
the few words that fell upon his ear, for
he walked only short distance before he
paused, as if dssirous of hearing more.
There is no use talking, Baxter; you
have got to make the run tonight" the
listener heard the superintendent say in
voice that was by no means pleasant
1t makes no difference to me or to the
stockholders of this road what trouble
you may have at home. Your place is
on this engine, and there you must re-
main or quit the service Of the company
altogether.
But, sir" replied the driver, in a
pleading tone, "do you understand, my
wife is very ill-perhaps dying-ard
there is no one with her but our two lit
tie children and kind neighbor. who
can not spend the whole night by her
side. -
ado not tell you there is no one about
at the present time whom i can put in
your place z" returned the official
There is Sturgis. suggested the other
"He is here ia the depot at this moment.
"What, that miserable inebTiate? He'll
never run train another mile on this
road.
"But, sir, he has not drank drop for
two months.
"That is neither here nor there. He is
not qualified to take your place, not even
Cor a single trip"
at is hard, very hard, murmured the
engineer as he turned away, and was
ADDub w ulOuIt W Iic bCtat III AtAC Nab
when the stranger, who had loitered near,
stepped up, saying:
: beg your pardon, gentlemen. Did
not hear you say that you wanted to Sc
cure the services of an engineer"
We'll, what il we doTn brusquely
asked the superintendent, looking at the
man in some astonishment
4 =
it would he any accommodation. ! am
an old railroad man, and an experienced
engine driver.
But do not know you, again re-
turned the official. 1T would be too
much risk to trust this train in the hands
Of an utter stranger.
Il have papers that will convince you
that am competent. and the applicant
drew from the inner breast pocket of his
coat a leathern wallet, and took there
from document, which, however, was
well covered with age, and handed it to
the superintendent.
"This has reference to yourself, / pre-
sums, said the official, gIancing over it.
But il bears somewhat antiquated
date. :"
very true, and for that reason / value
It highly. But if was good man then
must be doubly so now, for / have had
ell these years of experience.
you do not know the road.
@Oh, yes, / do, sir. Every foot Of it,
swell, if you can convince me that
you are capable Of taking charge of the
locomotive will let Baxter lay off this
trip, was the reluctant answer.
~Then the only way that see to ar
range the matter is for you and your en-
cineer to take a ride in the cab as far as
L--. That is Is miles, and there
you can meet the accommodation re-
turning here. think that in that short
run can prove to you that understand
the business.
just at that moment the two minute
bell struck.
well, well, get aboard, and we'll see
what you can do. and the three men
climbed into the cab.
"You must lend me your overaIIs and
jumper, said the stranger to the engi-
neer, F" for / do not care to spoil good
suit Of clothes y