The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1892-12-08

~ N the Pullman" Df''S con. n
CO. Stinued to read ,yawn,
or gaze from the windows with the same
apathy which had characterized their
interest since they had reached the
monotony of Arizona. But when the
halt was protracted and the train en-.
ployes began to rush tbVoIgh the car with
excitement expressed on their usually
stolid faces, one after another the four
travellers grew curious TO discover
through the steam covered panes the
cause Of this fresh detention.
The old gentleman in the end section
muttered mild oath aud bruised his
fingers in vain attempt TO raise the
double sashes, then settled back with a
sigh and touched the button for Joe.
That long.suiiering creature failing to
respond, the ringing was prolonged till
the jingling OF the bell reused the occu.
pant Of the state room from her nap, and
she appeared at its door with surprised
inquiry on her countenance. One glance
showed her that it was Number Eleven
who was manifcstng so much i'm.
patience; second, that the train was
standing still above a wonderful gorge.
"Oh, sir! has anything happenedlr
demanded Miss Denslow, strangely
ready to take alarm on that lonely home.
ward journey in midwinter.
"That's what am trying to find out
Where thc--Don't allow yourself to bo
disturbed, miss. will-Joe! Joel por.
terW Voice was added to ring in the
summons for the attendant.
The audacious, aggressive CONNER
cial traveller, in section four, rose and
came down the aisle.
"Pll find that porter, and I'll find out
what's up" he remarked to Helen in
passing.
She ignored him, but after he had
disappeared walked through the car and
seated herself before a window.
why, this is Canon Diabiol Strange
| did not recognize it"
"l'ightly named, too" retorted Mum.
Der Eleven. "Seems as il all the imps
~ creation had been hired 10 -ni. .A-those
focSS.nereT WonderIf fhat porter isn't
one of them, and gone to join his fel.
lows. II it were not for this foo. I'd
soon find out what's the matter. Joseph.
PHI Ting.a.ling.d-liugl
"Well, there's Jonah somewhere
on this train, sure. Never made such a
trip since I've been on the road, and
that's four years. We're i've hours late
now, aud the bridge all torn uni" ex.
claimed the guard, entering hastily.
"The bridge torn up! What do you
mcan! thuudered Number Eleven.
"Fact, Some world-bc robbers. or
'greascrs, been at work. Indians may.
be-"
"What-what will become Of us2"
asked Miss Denslow, family.
"Oh. | forgot there was LADY
aboard, or | wouldn't have said that.
But wcll be all right. Found the thing
out in time"
"But you have said it. Now tell me;
what IS to be donel'
$50 back, o! course, till the track is
repaired. We're beginning to move
now. Sect But, upon my word, I'd
IKE 10 know who the fellow is. We've
broken an axle, blown out a cylinder
head, smashed the windows of the tour.
ist car-had about forty such hinder
hnces since we LETT Los Angeles-and
now stalled here Tor nobody knows how
long"
Pullman conductors are less wary in
their conversation than train conductors.
on whose shoulders responsibility rests
they are apt TO be chatty and com.
municative. They regard tue travelling
public as guest to .bc entertained in
one fashion or another.
Helen Dcnslow did not look rs IL il
were pleasant fo;m OF entertainment
just then employed.
GLOW far back must we gol How
lcng will it takel"
"I hope not long" and to ward of
further inquiry the official departed.
The girl looked hopees,ly around. In
reality her situation had not changed.
She was no more alone than before, when
the consciousness of motion, progress,
had given her sense OF nearness to the
rest Of the world; but now that the
progress had ceased she felt as il she
were. She observed atresh her com.
panions in the "Fucino." She had ex.
changed speech with but one of them,
the gouty and ancient New Yorker in
section eleven. The somnolent presid.
Ing elder in number five was awake at
last, and mildly curious, though as ex-
aspera!ingly placid as if being stalled on
a trestle two hundred feet above that
awful chasm were a commonplace incl
dent The merchant from San Diego
had ceased his eternal figuring in noto-
book, and now gazed through the glass.
though he remained indifferent to the
presence of any fellow creatures. The
commercial traveller had returned and
deposited himself, his plaid cap, aud his
magenta necktie upon the seat across the
aisle, where he kept up running com.
ment on the state of things, which was
intended for Mss Denslcw's ears, but
was addressed to Number Eleven.
The train recedcd to the west brink OF
the canon and came 10 another halt with