South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1892-04-22


-."Well, if you can convince me
that you are capable OF taking
charge Of the locomotive l will let
Baxter lay of this trip" was the
reluctant answer.
"Then the only way that see to
arrange the matter is for You and
your engineer to take ride in the
cab as far as L.. That is Is
miles, and there you can meet the
accommodation returning here. I
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
wen see what you can do" and
the three men climbed into the
cab.
"You must lend me your overalls
and jumper" said the stranger to
the engineer, "for 1 do not care
to spoil good suit OF Clothes"
"Oh, certainly" replied Baxter,
who up to this time had been so as
tonished that no had not uttered
word.
After drawing the clothes on, the
new engineer grasped the throttle
with his left hand, thrust his head
out Of the window, and said i:
Nov we are ready"
Then came the order to start, and
the next minute the complicated ma-
chinery wasset in motion, tut so ger :
tie was the start made that scarce
ly a person on the train realized
that they wero under way until the
cars had drawn out of the depot.
Gradually the speed was increased
until they were soon running upon
their regular time:
The superintendent could not re-
frain from casting several chances
OF approval at Baxter as he noticed
how deftly the stranger handled his
''iron horse" AS they drew near
the junction a short distance from
l., the regular engineer reach
ed for the whistle cord to sound tho
usual blast, but he found the hand
OF his substitute there before him,
who, SAID to him with kind smile:
"You see ] know the road"
"Truly you do" replied the su-
perintendent, 'and although I am
taking great chances / think | will
let you 60 on with the train while
Baxter and ! return by the accom-
mediation"
AS Baxter was about to step out
OF the cab when the engine stopped
at L, he grasped the hand Of
the stranger, and said with deep
feeling in his voice:
Oh, sir, you have done me a gre 1T
favor tonight, and rest assured if
it ever lies in my power i shall re-
pay it."
"Don't mention it," was the
hearty rejoinder. "Hurry 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 CO had
arrived all right and on time.
AS the Official seated himself at
his desk the following morning his
eyes rested upon a note from the
president of the entire system, sta
ting 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's office we're resting
at quarter past that hour when
Baxter entered.
"Well," began the official, as he
recognized his caller, care you go
ing to shirk another trip to night"
''No, Sir my wife is much east
er and | shall be at my post. l
came up to thank you for letting
me off 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 gem
tlemen entered. One was the pres
ident, who, stepping quickly for
ward, said IN q CHEEKY voice:
"Ah, good afternoon, Mr.. Curtis.
Allow me to introduce Mr.. Donald
son, the gentleman whom the di.
rectors have elected to supersede
me in Office"
AS the superintendent rose from
his chair to acknowledge tho intro
duction, he almost tainted with sur
prise, for there before him stood
the substitute who, the night be-
fore, had run the engine in place Of
the regular driver.
Why-why-s it possible ?" he
stammered.
eyes, indeed, Mr.. Curtis" re-
piled the new president. Il am
the one who drew on the oyeralIs
last night for the fvst time in 10
years, but you see had not for
gotten how to ruR the machine. I
overheard your conversation With
7 this poor man here,D turning To