The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-09-28
RUNNING WILD.

"No. 46" ran up to the platform with
a clang and jar and the hiss of
steam. 1t was the pay train.
Employees came pouring out of the
shops and freight sheds, and track
men hurried up to the car, all eager
for their monthly wages.
Jack Simms, the engineer, stepped
down from his cab, oil-can in hand,
and began to oil his engine. He
glanced casually up the track, but inn
mediately took second look at the
slim, graceful figure of the young lady
who was coming toward him.
annie Roberts!" he exclaimed in
pleased surprise. 81 wonder why she's
hereP l hope she doesn't want to go
back with us for"
He did not utter the reason, but
after casting an uneasy look at the
car, as if the danger might be there,
he went on with his oiling.
He did not forget Annie, however,
and when she came across the street,
smiling at the thought of the surprise
she would give the engineer, he looked
up quietly and said:
"Good morning, Miss Roberts"
"Now, that is too bad!" exclaimed
Annie, with look of smiling vexation.
81 was going to surprise you, and
you meet me as if you knew all the
time that l was coming"
$50 l did," replied Jack, putting a
few drops of oil on the eccentrics. II
saw you when first got out of the
cab. When did you come upP"
"On the morning train; and l want
to go back with you. I've been hurry
iag1so to get ready. How soon do you
start?" Jack looked at his. watch.
'We can't leave here until the 11:20
express comes in, Annie. She is due
in fifteen minutes. But hadn't you
better wait for the accommodation?
We are running wild you know. and
you won't gain over half an hours
time"
"Oh, can't wait two whole hours~
said Annie, I'm going back on this
train-that is if l can"
A look of annoyance passed over
Jacks face, but he replied pleasantly
enough:
81 don't suppose there will be any
objections; yet I do wish you would
stop over for the accommodation.
Fearful that he had said too much.
Jack now went around to the other
side OF his engine, without waiting for
a reply from Annie. She was about
to walk away, when jeff Collins, the
conductor, came out of the car.
Annie smiled to herself.
Jack needn't be so jealous" she
thought. "I'm not tied to him yet.
And never shall be, if he can't trust
me-"
But for all that, when Collins asked
her if she was going down with them,
she waited for Jack to speak. But
Jack did not speak, and she replied:
Il want to. Mr.. Collins. l suppose
shan't be in the wayP"
"Don't mention it, Miss Roberts, y
said Collins. "Let me help you into
the carp"
And Jack Simms on the other side
of "No. 46" heard all. His face shad-
owed slightly, but it was with pain
rather than anger.
81 wish she hadn't, he said to him
self. collins was right enough sup
pose, and, perhaps, ought to thank
him, but wish Annie had waited.
He finished his oiling and went back
to the cab.
"Ten minutes, Billy" he said to the
fireman, as he handed the oil can up tC
him. "I'll just step back to the coacf
for minute and I guess you'd better
open your door, steam's pretty neal
up, now."
Jeff Collins was chatting gayly will
Annie, but when Jack entered h'
looked up and said sharply:
"All ready, Simms. Go ahead!"
Jack looked at his watch, to maxi
sure that he was right.
"Did you say go aheadP" he asked
in great surprise.
SThat's just what I did say. G.
ahead!"
There were several of the officials o
the road in the car, and Jack looket
toward them for instructions, wei
knowing the hazard of starting out Of
another trains time. They took n
notice of his look, however.
"Of course, you know that we'r
running 'wild?"' he said to Collins
loud enough for all to hear.
81 know my business" replied th
conductor, sharply. Go ahead, | say!
Once more Jack looked back to tn
other end of the car, but more partic
ularly to Mr.. Howard, the superir
tendent of the road That gentlema
said nothing, and again Jack turne
to the conductor.
"Mr. Collins, are you sure you d
know your business?"
"Go ahead!" roared Collins, whit
with rage; "and give her all the steal
you've got. If you're too much OF
damned coward to-
"Stop that!" said Jack, his face pal
with fierce anger. "If you say G
ahead I'll go, if it tear my engine
splinters, but this is the last time L
ever run an engine that your train
coupled to-"
Jack now turned to Annie. "Yo
can't 90 on this train," said h
"Come!"
And before Annie had time to exc
else a will of her own she bent to b
stronger one, and left the car wit
him.
, Goodbye, Annie, if l never see yc
again." said Jack, as he hurried avs
to his cab.
"I'm afraid there's death for some
us, Billy" said he, glancing back
where Annie stood watching the ira
as it glided out of sight. "The IL: