The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-01-20

you'd get there. NOW, let me Veil yOut
Don't drink. Don't dissipate. Keep .
level head. I've done II for twenty.
Ave years, and no charge was ever
brought against me-" He patted Butch
on the back In fatherly way and went
back to his duties.
In delirium Of JOY Butch went 10
the superintendent's Office "Hags
CARDS been transferred, the superih.
tendent explained, land believe you
are the best under man to fill the place.
You've been on the road for Ave or six
years and know every turn TO 1t. You
understand that this is the best run on
the road, and hope you'll show rs that
our confidence has not been misplaced.
You will take the train out at II o'clock
tonight"
How he got through that afternoon
Butch will never know. The intoxica-
tion of hope realized rendered HIM OBJ.
livious to ordinary occurrences He
walked upon mountains He was al
his train an hour before it was sched.
uled to leave He had invested in a
bright new uniform and cap and was
picture of fresh and vigorous young
manhood as he moved about his hand.
some train. Hoskins, who had been
transferred with him, pointed out with
pride the 'dandicst cap'n on the road. 7"
Miggs, the engineer, shouted words OF
congratulation to him. The depot
employees all had something pleasant
and encouraging to say. He felt the ella.
tion of born commander as he strode
proudly about surveying the prepara.
tions for departure and giving orders to
his crew. The blood tingled in his
veins; it was good to be alive.
The breathing of the engine came
louder and faster. Passengers were
hurrying in from the street, and the
hustle that precedes departure had be-
gun. Capt. Butch was serene and
happy through it all He pointed pas.
sengers to their cars, gave orders to
porters and trainmen and answered in
quiries with the easy manner Of vet
erau.
Hoskins touched him on the arm.
"Cap'n, the superintendent is down at
the end of the train and he wants to
see you," said the old hagman. The
superintendent had dropped into the
depot going home from his Office and
he stood watching Butch for few
minutes before sending for him.
"Seem to take it naturally" said he,
as the young conductor stepped up.
II don't think you'll have any trouble,
ut you'll have to keep your eyes open.
Get good load to.night?" he added.
YES said Butch, 'everything's all
right and don't expect any trouble.
I'll do my best" He glanced at his
watch; it lacked but two minutes OF
| leaving time. The engine had backed
against the cars with jar. "Yes,"
said the superintendent, 81 believe that
It's about leaving time, isn't it? Here's
matter | want You to attend to-" He
held up a slip OF yellow paper which he
had all the time been holding in his
hand. "There's private car at Mari
eta that want you to pick up. It's
going through to the north-a wedding
party, l think. You'll carry it as far
as Chattanooga"
"All right" said Butch, with blush.
Marietta was associated with bridal
thoughts in his mind. "The car be-
longs to the president of some northern
road" the superintendent continued,
/ 'be lent it to a young fellow connected
NTH the road who married at Marietta
tonight. Quite nice party. Give
em all the attention you can"
| Butch bowed and started toward his
train.
''lts Tom Stanning's daughter" the
superintendent called after him, land
he's a special friend of mine. Take
care of en-
Butch CROPPED blindly into the train,
which was now crawling away. He
had but indistinctly heard the superin-
tendent's words, but the blow was the
cruelest of his life His hopes fell in a
shattered wreck. His promotion was
nothing-he hated it. He threw his
head forward up.n n the seat in from,
and thought while the train rushed on.
Hosllins passed through several times
and seeing no change, shook him
"Cap'n," said he, we're nearly tc
Marietta Butch looked up. "I'm
sick, Hoskins, he said, huskily, Evil
you look at the train and private car al
Marietta?"
The private car at Marietta was filled
with merry wedding party. Hoslxin.
looked after the party conscientiously
Miss Staining was entertainingly
beautiful tonight A soft flush in hel
cheeks was the expression of her hap.
piness. Her husband was manly.
looking young fellow and prosperou.
looking, Hoskins thought He wa.
worryi ng about connections at Chatta
nooga. Tell the conductor to com,
in here" he instructed Hoskins. 18th,
cap'n's sick, sir,' replied Hoslsins ..
want him just moment" the groom
persisted, 81 only want him to tel
about some schedules"
Hoskins was wise man in his da,
and generation. He had recognizes
the bride and lie did not go to Butcl
with the groom's message. After re
naming absent 9 reasonable time h
returned with the message that TIN
"cap'n said he couldn't come" TIL
groom was fretted. "Who is the con
ductor?D Miss Staining asked II
can't be Mr.. Hollis?" NO" sal,
Hoskins, "it's new man-we\ call hin
Butch" "Oh," she said, hastily, sd
not mind--don't ask him to come"
At length Butch arose. HIS face wa
a trifle pale, but very calm. In tn
brief hour that he sat thinking he ha
resolved to throw away his life, dro
his career and become worse than Ii
had been when he first knew her Hi
career meant nothing to him unles
it meant something to her. Thel
came reaction The old purnos