The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-06-25
SAVING THE EXPRESS.
by JAMES BUCKHAM.

like to take q vacation" said the
General Manager OF the G. ID. and Z
railroad.
Kent Ballard was night telegraph
operator for the @. ID. and =. road, in
the big terminal station at Chicago.
He was eighteen years old, and as
bright, capable aud faithful an en-
ploye as the company had in their en-.
tire system. AS the General Manager
came and leaned over the window shell
of the telegraph Office, with his pleas
ant announcement, Kent looked up
gladly and gratefully.
81 would like little outing, sir, >
he said, "if 1t is perfectly convenient.
It's been pretty steady work the past
bit tired. When can you spare me,
sir?"
Day after tomorrow, IL you wish.
We will have a man ut our disposal
then, and can put him on your work
for couple of weeks. Have you any
idea what you would like to do, or whore
you would like to go-any vacation
plan in which | could be of assistance
tOyou
Kent hesitated q moment. 81 have
had u plan in my miud FOR some time,
sir" he said, at length, but hardly
dare to mention 1t, even now. IL
8
road"
"Out with it, my boy !" cried the
General Manager. I" If it doesn't in
volve us too deeply in financial en-
barrassment "-and he laughed good
humoredly--" can promise you it
will be granted"
81 want 20 maze a trip over the
road in u locomotive" said Kent. I"
should like to go clear to the Pacific
coast, If there is time. Ii | could ven
ture to ask YOU for permission to go
out and back with the engineer OF one
of the overland expresses
why, OF course you can. p,y, boy y
exclaimed the General Manager.
"Say no more about it. Make all your
preparations, and come to my office to-
morrow for your pass and written
permit, in case anybody should dis
pute your right of way. You may
start on Thursdays outbound trip"
"Thapk you, sir-ever so much !"
cried Kent. ut will be great pleas
ure to me, and | shall never forget
your kindness"
Kent Ballard told his mother next
morning that his pet vacation pro.
ject was to be realized. I've always
longed to cross the Rockies and see
the Pacific" he said, ''and now, if you
can spare me couple OF weeks,
mother, | am off. Fred and George
will take good care Of you. They
have had their vacations already, you
know"
On Wednesday, Kent went up to
the General Managers office and got
his pass aud permit; have also re-
served section twelve in the sleeper
for you," said the Manager. You will
want q good comfortable bed at night,
you know. Here is your ticket. And
as for your meals, get them in the
buffet car, regularly. The steward
understands"
"Oh, sir! you are too kind !" cried
Kent.
"No, am not !" laughed the Mana
ger. a man can't be too kind--it's
impossible. You must remember, too,
that you have served us faithfully in
difficult and responsible position for
three years. You deserve favor now
and then, according to my way of
looking at things. Well, goodbye TO
you, and pleasant tripn'
The mid-week overland express
pulled out at ten O'clock on Thursday
morning, with Kent Ballard in the
cab of the big mogul locomotive.
"Our first run will be express for
fifty miles," said the engineer to him,
land you will have II good chance to
see how NO. 3l2 behaVeS.
1t was a trip full OF profit and de-
light to the young telegraph operator.
He was very fond OF all kinds of
engine proved most fascinating
study, as they whirled along over the
rails. Then the ever-Changing scenery:
the bustling cities and towns along the
routes; the big rivers over which they
steamed on spiderweb steel bridges
the wide level prairies, across which
they raced al whirlwipd speed, oc
casionally sighting IA herd of deer Oh
frightening up flock OF prairie
chickens-all these things made al
Endless program of interest and pleas
thrill passed through him when a.
last they came in sight of the tower
ing Rockies, with the terraced foot
hills, like natures doorstep. to the
threshold OF the mighty range.
So fair the overland express hat
whirled on its long western trip with
ont the slightest adventure. Ther'
had not even been an hours delay
The train was sharp on time and, l
everything went well, its jOurne.
would be completed in twelve hours
; Tiey had now reached the ascending
graval over the foothills, and wer
SLOWLY c'd"iIhB up"diu oo""iu vi
pass, between the great snow -cappe
peaks, through which they were t
gain the Pacific slope. The scener
was indescribably grand, and Kent
eyes never wearied of feasting upo
1t. "Oh, IL mother could only Sc
these grand mountains ~ he thought
/" And II [ ever get promoted to goo
salary she shallW W
Nine hours passed, and at length tn
great engine, with an almost huma
sigh of relief, stopped painting, o
u side track at the Summit Static
OF the "divide." A train of ilat-Gari
loaded with stone aud drawn by tw
locomotives, was slowly putting up th
western grade. The express had
walt on the siding uhtil this freigl
tain should pass and leave the mai
track clear. Whilo they were waiting
Kent Ballard left the engine, and too
his seat on the rear platform OF th
last car, where he could look back {
the grand snow-capped mountains the
had just passed.
The heavy freight train struggled u
the grade, until 1t had passed I'll
1,,.tass an6sf s,f .yhat ainiuUt 0fs1 thc