The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1895-06-27
SAVING THE EXPRESS.
by JAMES BUCklIAM.

"Well, Kent, l guess we can spare
you for q couple of weeks, If you would
like to take vacation" said the
General Manager of the G. ID. and p.
railroad.
Kent Ballard was night telegraph
operator for the CD. and Z. road, in
the big terminal station at Chicago
He was eighteen years old, and as
bright, capable and faithful an en-
ploye Us the company had in their on
tire system. AS the General Manager
came and leaned over the window shelf
of the telegraph Office, with his pleas
ant announcement, Kent looked up
gladly and gratefully.
81 would like little outing, SIR
he said, "if it Is PERFECTLY convenient.
It's been pretty steady work the past
year; and | must confess that am q
DIT tired: When can you spare me,
"Day after to- morrow, If you wish
We will have u man ut our disposal
then, and can put him on your work
!'r couple OF weeks. Have you any
Idea whaLyou would like to do, or where
you would like to go-any vacation
plan in which could be of assistance
to you?"
Kent hesitated moment. 81 have
had plan in my mind for some time,
SIR" he said, ut length, but hardly
dare to mention it, even now. It
would be asking great favor Of the
road"
"Out with it, my boy :" cried the
General Manager. Gift doesn't in
volve us too deeply in financial en-
barrassment "-and he laughed good
humoredly--" can promise you it
will be granted"
{" I want to maze trip over the
road in q locomotive" said Kent. 81
should like to go clear to the Pacific
coast. If there is time. If could ven
out and back with the, engineer OF one
of the overland expresses
",Wihy, of course you can. my, boy ~
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 a great pleas
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 and permit. " have also re-
served section twelve in the sleeper
for you," said the Manager. You will
want good, comfortable bed at night,
you know. Here is your ticket. And
as .,f"X your meals, get them in tho
bms,ce Car, regularly. The steward
understands"
ooh, sir! you are too kind !" cried
Kent.
"No, am not !" laughed the Mana
ger. ~ man can't be too kind-its
impossible. You must remember, too,
that you have served us faithfully in
difficult and responsible position for
three years. You deserve q favor now
and then, according to my way OF
looking at things- Well, goodbye to
you, and pleasant trip"
The mid-wcek 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 fol
fifty miles," said the engineer to him
land you will have a good chance tC
see how No. 3l2 behaves"
1t was n trip full of profit and do.
light to the young telegraph operator
He was very fond of all kinds o
machinery, and the mechanism of the
engine proved most fascinating
study, as they whirled along over the
rails. Then the ever-changing scenery
the Dustiing cities and towns along tht
routes; the big rivers over which they
Steamed on spider-web steel bridges
the wide level prairies, across whicl
they raced at whirlwind speed, oc
casionally sighting "a herd of deer o.
chickens-an these things made a. 81 ~
endless program Of interest and pleas
ure for Kent Ballard. Then what
thrill passed through him when n
last they came in sight of the tower
ing Rockies, with the terraced foot
hills, like natures doorstep to tn,
threshold of the mighty range.
So fur the overland express hat
wbirled on It's long western trip with
out the slightest adventure. Ther
had not even been an hours delay
The train was sharp on time, and, /
everything went we'll, its journe,
would be completed in twelve hours
They had now reached the ascending
graval over the foothills, and wer
slowly crawling upward toward tn
pass, between the great snow.cappet
peaks, through which they were t.
gain the Pacific slope. The scener.
was indescribably grand, and Kent
eyes never wearied Of feasting upo
it. "Oh, If mother could only Sc
. these grand mountains !" he thought