The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1894-01-20
THE BRIDAL TRAIN.
A Pathetic Story Of Love on the
Rail.


nance that he was put on the fast ex-
press. which carried a greater number
.nr passengers than any other train on
the road, and consequently was the
most remunerative run. With charac.
teris;ic enterprise, he made the best Of
his field. Even the distrustful, stern
visaged man who, from the long man
Rgemcnt of boys, had grown habitual-
ly severe looking, was forced to admit
this
Butch's training had been deficient
Lax discipline at home coupled with
vicious instincts hindered the develop
ment of such good traits as might have
been latent in his nature. His COM
panions werc the boys of the street,
and he copied their habits. He devel-
oped striking tendency to initiate the
tough in manner and conversation. He
sprinkled his talk with slang phrases,
and in the matter of dress initiated a
few model vagabonds he knew.
He got glimmering education. He
opposed school. and it was not held in
too high regard by his parents, who
sent him to get him out of the way and
because it was free, but there was no
objection raised to his finishing his edu-
cation while in the third grade in the
middle of the term and becoming a
news agent. His ideas of life had been
derived from few very sensational
melodramas he had seen, u number of
tive-cent novels he had read and an
army of toughs he had admired. His
new position was very great step
toward the accomplishment of his ideal.
One day he was seated on his box just
outside the Chattanooga depot putting
at cigarette when two of his newsboy
companions joined him.
Butch" said one of them, "how'd
yer like ter jine de Red Bird gang?"
What's that?" Butch inquired
"Dats u.s." said the first speaker, me
and Jim here ani two udder kids.
We're tired o. hustlin' newspapers and
candy and are a-goin' ter travel and see
de country"
Butch instantly grasped the idea.
His experience had not been SO limited
that he had not seen scores of boys go-
ing around the country, independent,
worldwise and happy. 1t had always
struck him as a jolly thing to do. as the
rowing, irresponsible life possessed
striking allurements for him.
I'll tell you what" he said, sid go
with you right now, but amt been
paid off Wait'll come rack mex trip
with my dough and III go with YOU"
The boys eXpatiated at length upon
their plans. One of them had once had
II run into Cincinnati, and it was
agreed that they should first beat their
way to this town, and then, after talk
ing in the Queen City. go wherever inn
pulse directed, after the custom of
their kind. Butch felt high exhilara-
ton over the prospect He saw life
full of adventure and excitement be-
fore him. In time he might even be-
come a train robber.
The next morning his train left on
an earlier schedule. The accommoda-
tion at the Atlanta end had been taken
off and the express was to carry its
passengers 1t was not until Marietta
was reached that Butch noticed any in
crease in passengers on account of the
accommodation having been dropped.
Here a drove of chattering schoolgirls
flooded the car and dived into every
avaiia BILE seat.
Butch noticed that a dignified, sweet
faced girl with school satchel on her
arm had not joined in the rush and
stood in the aisle without u seat. He
had never seen IA face that impressed
him so deeply. Involuntarily he
Strengthened himself up as he caught
sight of her There was something
wonanly about the girlish face and
figure. Her eyes were calm and steady:
her lips We're firmly set together: she
held herself erect with an air of perfect
selfsatisfaction. She seemed not to
mind being without seat since she
had retained her dignity.
Butch scrambled to his feet and, re-
moving his wares make room for her
on the seat beside him. She took it
with smile of thanks. iiutch watched
her out of the corner of his eye. His
customary ubiquity had somehow left
him.
DO You miss the commodation?" he
finally ventured. She frightened up al
the inquiry.
'oh, very much,' she said. 1T was 4;
home-lille train everybody knew
conductor was so nice. ! hope they'l
put IllLl on Jllo Lrdlu.
''Our trains the fastest" he said
Yes she readily asscnted, 1.-THE ac
commodation was always stopping
Seemed to stop nj every crossing
'Cap'n Hollis" said Dick, hoping to
interest her lis going to run the
through train what leaves Atlanta al
noon"
rs he?" she replied. ~ know Tho
people who ride on it WILL like him
He's so polite and attentive. ] suppos,
you'll be conductor some lay"
Did she? That was awful compli
men,ary, Butch thought To b. a
conductor was to reach dazzling
height, he considered, and it meant
years of hard work and attention t,
duty. He had chosen TO throw up tho
prospect to join the Red Bird gang
What would she say tV the Red BIRD
gang? This accidental contact Will
her divested the nomadic life of tn,
red bird of all its charms. 10 be po
lite AMI attentive conductor was /;
grtnder thing than it had ever seemed
before.
''Mr. Hollis" she went ON, "was
newsboy, or something when he start
] ed. No, ii wasn't newsboy either Ht
y used to walk on top of the freight cars
bnt he was honest and polite and they
kept giving him better places. unit
now he's nice conductor. ! think III