Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1895-03-15

oiling her, and the fireman, as he
opened the furnace door and shoveled
in the coal, stood out like red Rem
brandt picture in the cab against the
darkness beyond. AS the engineer,
with his oil can, went carefully around
engine No. SO, John Saggart drew his
sleeves across his eyes, and a gulp
came up in his throat. He knew every
joint and bolt in that contrary old
engine-the most cantankerous iron
brute on the road, and yet, if rightly
managed, one of the swiftest and most
powerful engines the company had,
Notwithstanding the many improve
ments that had been put upon locomo-
tives since sc left the foundry.
Saggart. as he stood there, thought
of the seven years he had put in on
the footboard of old SO, and of the
many tricks she had played him dur
ing that period. If, as the poet says,
the very chains and the prisoner be-
come friends through long associa-
tion, it may be imagined how much
of n mans affection goes out to a
machine that he thoroughly under
stands and likes-a machine that is
his daily companion for years, in
danger and out of it. No. SO and
John had been in many a close pinch
together, and at this moment Saggart
seemed to have forgotten that often
the pinch was caused by the pure cuss-
edness of SO herself, and he remem-
bered only that she had bravely done
her part several times when the situa.
tion was exceedingly serious.
The cry of "All aboard !" rang out
and was echoed down from the high
arched roof of the great terminus, and
John, with a sigh, turned from his
contemplation of the engine and went
to take his place on the train. 1t was
long train, with many sleeping cars
at the end of it, for the heavy holiday
traffic was on, and people were getting
out of town by the hundred. The
engineer had put away his oil can and
had taken his place on the engine,
standing ready to begin the long
journey the moment the signal was
given.
John Saggart climbed into the
smoking carriage at tue front part OF
the train. tie found n place in one OF
the forward seats and he sank down
into it with vague feeling OF uneasi-
ness at being inside coach instead OF
on the engine. He gazed out of the
window and saw the glittering electric
lights slowly slide behind, then more
quickly the red, green and white
lights of the station lamps, and finally
there tlickered swiftly past the brill.
liant constellation of city windows,
showing that the town had not yet
gone to bed. At last the flying train
plunged into the dark, aud Saggari
pressed his face against the cold glass
OF tho window. unable TO shake off hi.
feeling Of responsibility. although hs
knew that there was another man al
throttle.
Ho was aroused from his reverie by
Il touch on his shoalder aud curt re
quest. Tickets, please" F"
lie pulled out Of his pocket pas
and turned 10 hand il 10 the conduct
or, who stood there with glitterinq
plated aud crystal lantern on his arm
"Hello. John. IL this youf" erie,
the conductor as soon as ho saw th'
face turned toward him. "iiang il
man, you didn't need pass travelling
with me. !"
II know u, said the engineer, "ba
they gave u 10 mo u take mo home
aud | may an we'll uss il a. not.
don't want to get you iata trouble. 7"
"Oh, III risk the trouhla. !" said thl
conductor, placing tAa laiup on ola
iioor aud taking his seat hssile Tia
engineer. II heard abaal you
worry to-day. las TOO eussei bal, |
man hai got dFunk At his post. a
You aud have known ga "a do. 1
souldh't have seoIaed 80 haFi. bat =
ils worst your case MAS aaly aa era
ol ialgment, ani thea neshina Tsall
happened. Oli sa seams Il have lA
habit ~ pnlllng heFaeli through,
sappoas yoa ani aAa hasa hsea 4
weFss AKss than thai atth "a aer,
said ah0at a.
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