The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-08-22

humiliating to be obliged to sail under
false colors. But there was no alter
native. l obeyed, not without trepidation.
since the adventure promised to be most
temerarius, and took my seat on She
side where there seemed to be the least
amount of machinery The hagman was
shoveling coal into the boiler in from
zied haste, but he desisted Mt shout
from his superior.
Johnnie, hand me that oil can, lively.
now"
The article in demand was quickly
forthcoming, aud | leaned out of tbo
window to see what was to be done.
There was no one on my side of the
huge machine, but even as | looked the
station agent ran around from the rear.
lifted the lid of an iron box projecting
beyond one of the wheels, poured a hand
full Of sand into the receptacle, and dis
appeared as quickly as he had come. 1t
struck me at the time as being singu-
lar proceeding, but while | was still
specializing upon its probable utility the
great locomotive lungcd forward, and the
chase recommended.
For the first mile the onrush Of the
hilarating. but before many minutes had
passed | began to wish myself, first in
my coy study, and a little later any
safely out the mass of shrieking ma
chinery hurled onward faster and faster
and ever faster by the soot-hcgrimed
maniac, who seemed bent on accomplish
ing not only his own destruction. but
that of the unfortunate fireman and my
self as well. 1t was hdeous exper-
fence. and | never think back upon il
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 fulfilled, | CHANGED to look outward
and backward and my horror was in
creased tenfold by the appalling sight of
flames bursting apparently from one of
the fast-fying wheels. At the imminent
risk of my life l got upon my feet and
crept across to the side of the mailman.
Sir" said /, shouting at the top of my
voice, 1--WE are about to be consumed.
This locomotive is afirer'
Thrusting me aside he craned his neck
out of the window, which had lately
been mine. sprang back with an oath,
which resounded above the din of the
machinery, and brought the shuddering
monster to a stand. Then he leaped to
the ground, yelling frantic orders to the
fireman.
Bucket o water! Quick, you imp of
Hades! That's it; more-mOre yet. Now
get your tools and pack this box Live
ly! Get move! Here, give me that
hook! Now then; more waste; more
gilmore yetr'
The conhagratiOn was stayed at length,
and once more the terrible race was re-
sumed. Five miles further on the fam
ing wheel stopped us again; and when
this had occurred a third and fourth
time l began to suspect that the hand
full of sand was in some manner account
able for it. Yet | dared not for my life
so much as suggest this to the Infatuated
blackamoor, whose wrath mounted high
err and grew more ungOv-
ernable 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 a
stand, evoking new and more dreadful
maledictions from the mailman, cursings
measured only by the comparative mea-
greness of his vocabulary.
Fortunately for my sanity, which was
fast lapsing in the struggle for outward
calm, the end came at length, and
stepped down from the kissing monster
at the Lavareck platform, thankful to
my finger tips that l was yet in the land
of the living. We arrived but a few mo-
ments behind the train, and | caught
glimpse of my young scapegrace in ear
nest consultation with the agent Hard
wicke, as l passed the cab stand.
l walked into the hotel waiting room,
meaning to go to supper with the other
passengers but | was not to escape so
easily. 1t seems that Hardwicke, wheth-
er from malice or misunderstanding |
have never been able to learn, made
haste to tell the angry father that l
was the clergyman who was to marry
the runaways. If | had known this at
the time l might have been more char
liable. 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 l knew nothing
at TIE tlulcs anu Wueu ne SnUuluGIGu
through the throng in the waiting room
and grasped my arm roughly / was
annoyed
80, you're the helper on this job, are
your he shouted, and all and sundry
gaped to look and listen. Mice bust
ness for a man OF your age and a min
lister 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,
or no ministerr'
You are the most unreasonable per-
son l have ever had the misfortune to
meet, sir" said l, looking him fairly in
the eyes. Il had no intention of deceiv-
ing you"
Intentions be hangedv' he clustered.
What the devil do you suppose / care
bout your intentions! 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 was meet, and |
gave him his answer holly and in kind.
Zone moment, sir, if you please"-he
was turning away-"I was on the train
with these young people, and 1 not only
refused to aid them, but said what l
might to turn them from their purpose.
But since / have had the very question