Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-21

WaTQ ana the chase recommended.
For the first mile the onrush of the huge
iron monster was pleasantly eXhilafating.
but before many minutes had passed be-
gan to wish myself. first In my cozy study,
| SO l might be safely out of the mass of
| shrieking machinery hurled onward faster
ana faster and ever faster by the SCOT
| begrimed maniac. VINO seemed bent on
accomplishing not only his own destruc-
| ton, but that of the unfortunate fireman
and myself as well. 1t was hideous
experience. and l never think back upon it
without being devoutly thankful that the
| lines of my calling have fallen in less
strenuous encompassments.
When the uproar was most deafening.
and the promise of speedy deliverance by
death seemed each instant about to be full
| filled, CHANGED to look outward and back
| ward, and my horror was increased ten
| fold by the appalling sight of flames burst
ing apparently from one of the fast-fiying
wheels. At the imminent risk of my life
| got upon my feet and crept across to the
side of the mailman.
Sir said l, shouting at the top of my
voice. I'VE are about to be consumed. This
locomotive is afirei''
Thrusting me aside. he craned his neck
| out of the window, which had lately been
mine, sprang back with an oath, which re-
| sounded above the din OF the machinery,
and brought the shuddering monster to a
stand. Then he leaped to the ground, yell
ing frantic orders to the fireman.
Bucket o water! Quick. you imp of
L.
| get your tools and pack this box. Lively!
Get move! Here, give me that hook!
Now, then; more waste; more Gilmore
yet,'
and once more the terrible race was re-
| sumed. Five miles further on the flaming
wheel stopped us again; and when this had
occurred a third and fourth time 1 began
| to suspect that the handful of sand was in
some manner accountable for it. Yet /
dared not for my life so much as suggest
this to the Infatuated blackamoor whose
wrath mounted higher and grew more nm
governable with each fresh hindrance.
More than once We came in sight of the
train ahead; but as often as we did so the
smoking machinery brought us to stand
evoking and more dreadful maledic-
| tons from the mailman, cursings measured
| only by the comparative meagerness of his
vocabulary.
Fortunately for my sanity, which was
| fast lapSing in the struggle for outward
calm. the end came at length. and l step
| ped down from the kissing monster at the
| Lavarock platform, thankful to my finger
| tips that l was yet in the land of the liv-
| ing. We arrived but few moments be-
| hind the train, and / caught a glimpse of
my young scapegrace in earnest consulta-
| ton with the agent, Hardwicke, as 1 passed
| the cab stand.
| I walked into the hotel waiting room,
| meaning to go to supper with the other
passengers, but l was not to escape so
| easily. 1t seems that Hardwicke, whether
1 i
| never been able to learn, made haste to
! tell the angry father that was the clergy
| man who was to marry the runaways. If
had known this at the time l might have
| been more charitable. Truly, it must have
| been little less than maddening to reflect
| that he had unwittingly furthered the plans
| of the young fugitives by bringing me to
Lavarock. But of this / knew nothing at
| the time, and when he shouldered through
| the throng in the waiting room and grasped
my arm roughly l was pardonably an
| noyed.
$50 you're the helper on this job. are
| you?" he shouted, and all and sundry
| gaped to look and listen. Mice business
| for a man of your age, and minister of
| the experimenting runaway children.
| Worked me by setting up for a Catholic
| priest, too, didn't you? By Cad, sir, If I'd
known it I'd have pitched you out of the
cab window, neck and heels, minister or
| no minister"
| you are the most unreasonable person l
| have ever had the misfortune to meet,
| SIR said 1, looking him fairly in the eyes.
| Il had no intention of deceiving YOU
| Intentions be hanged" he clustered.
| "What the devil do you suppose 1 care
| about your intentions? l say they shan't
| be married without my consent, and, by
| Cad sir I'd like to see 'em do it!''
| 1t was more than meet, and l gave
| him his answer holly and in kind.
| "One moment, sir. if you please'-he was
| turning away was on the train with
| these young people, and l not only refused
/ to aid them but said what l might to turn
them from their purpose. But since have
| had the very questionable pleasure of meet
| ing you, will say frankly, sir, that shaii
be glad to assist them II they sun desire
| it,
! For an instant I thought he was going to
! strike me, but if he had any such inten-
| ton he abandoned 1t when the crowd part
| ed to admit the two young rebels to the
| little circle in which We were standing.
| They were in the last ditch, and, knowing
| this had the courage of despair: but OF the
| in r fapcjed the woman was the
more self-poSSessed.
| TN take you at your word, Mr.. Penbur-
| ton" said the young man. promptly, hand
! ing me a folded paper and ignoring the
| angry blackamoor as best he might.
You wish me to marry you and this
Young woman?" said l, glancing at the
license.
| Yes"
| Here and now?"
! He looked over his shoulder at the throng
| of curious onlookers as one who would
have purchased privacy at price, put he
| did not hesitate.
Yes, here and now, if you please; we
sha'n't lack witnesses. anyway
1T shall be as you desire" L SAID. grave
| Nv. and when 1 had found my book l be-
| gen:
The men in the crowd uncovered rev.
erently, and even the man OF wratn step
| ped back and bowed his head AS the ex-
| hortation proceeded, however. he looked Up
with malicious twinkle in his eyes.
| "Into this holy estate these two per-
| sons come now to be joined. If any rlan
| can show just cause why they may not
| lawfully be Joined together, let him now
| speak, or else hereafter forever hold his
peace
My daughter is not of age; forbid it,"
| said the father, with unnecessary vehe-
| mence.
| A murmur of protest ran through the
| crowd, and l rebuked him promptly.
Your objection, sir. is as ill-timed as it
| is Intellectual. You know the law Of this
particular commonwealth, and -ou will
| oblige me by not again intsrrupting this
ceremony"
| Then came diversion wholly unexpected
| and nest embarrassing. The young woman
bit her lip, burst into tears. and flung her
self suddenly into her fathers arms.
20, poppa-I c-can't do it, she sobbed.
| hiding her face on his shoulder. IL
| thought 1 could, but 1 can't. Please take
me away-Quick!'
1t was most embarrassing, as I have
said; and my young Romeo blushed like a
| girl and made a hollow pretense Of trying
| to look as II 1t was part of the program.
| The father grinned rriumphantly and adj
dressed himself to me:
You see it wasn't so blessed Intellectual,
after all. I said this young jackanapes