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

ap To tins time had been SO astonished
that he had not uttered a word.
After drawing the clothes on. the new
engineer grasped the tnruttle with his
left hand. thrust his head out Of the win.
dow. ard said:
Now we arc ready
Then came the order to start. and the
next minute the complicated machinery
was set in motion. but SO gentle was the
start made that scarcely person on the
train realized that they were under wav
until the cars had drawn oat of the depot
Gradually the speed was increased until
they were soon running upon their regu-
lar time
The superintendent could not refrain
from casting several glances of approval
at Baxter as he noticed how deftly the
stranger handled his :" iron horse As
they drew near the junction a short dis
tsnce from L., the regular engineer
reached FOR the whistle cord 10 sound the
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 superin-
tendent, and although am taking great
chances think will let YOU go on with
the train while Baxter and | return by
the accommodation
AS Baxter was about to step out of the
cab when the engine stopped at L., he
grasped the hand OF the stranger, aud
said with deep feeling in his voice:
"Oh, sir, YOU have done me great
favor tonight, and rest assured If itever
lies in my power shall repay il.
Don't mention it, was the hearty re-
joinder. Hurry home 20 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 10y no
means easy in his own mind aud re-
manned in his office until midnight,
when he received dispatch from the
end Of the line saying that train number
81 had arrived all right and on time
AS the official seated himself at his desk
the following morning his eyes rested
upon note from the president of the en-
I tire system, stating that he would arrive
on the . 5 train and wished to see him
on important business.
The hands on the clock in the superin-
tendents office were resting at quar-.
ter past that hour when Baxter entered
We'll, began the official as he recog-
nized his caller, are you going to shirk
another trip tonight"
No, sir; my wife is much easier aud
I shall be at my post. came up to
thank you for letting me of last night
"oh, it's turned out all right I'm
thankful to say. But"
He would have gone further had not
the door opened and two gentlemen en-
tered. One was the president, who. step
ping quickly forward, said in a cheery
voice:
"Ah, good afternoon, Mr. Curtis. Al
low me to introduce Mr. Donaldson the
gentleman whom the directors have
elected to supersede me in office.
As the superintendent rose from his
chair to acknowledge the introduction,
he almost tainted with surprise, 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 possible?" he stam-
mered
Yes, indeed, Mr.. Curtis. replied the
/ lew president. ~ am the one who drew
on The overalls last night for the first
4 time in ~ years, but you see had not
/ forgotten how 70 run the machine. |
/ overheard your conversation with this
4 poor man here, turning to Baxter II
I pitied him IN his dilemma and resolved
I to assist him Ii you had refused TO
/ allow me to act as his substitute / should
have made known my identity then and
there, and requested you even to let the
4 fireman take his place, rather than 10
/ keep the faithful engineer away from the
/ bedside Of his wife. And YOU, sir CON
1 tinued the kindhearied railroad niagnate
| to Baxter, may lay off for a few days.
We will find some one to take your place
until your wife is recovered. And, Mr..
| Curtis, there is one thing l should suS-
gest before we proceed to other business,
and that is, from this on treat your men
kindly"
This was lesson that The arbitrary
superintendent never forgot