Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-01

| E2,00v000t~ Were StdulHeu Oh my DLain'
II seemed such an enormous sum Of
money to an engir driver who had W
support himself and a large family on
comparatively small wages and occos-
ionally tips. 49,
| Judging from my demeanor, however,
no one would have thought that | had
any serious task on my hand. | s.rolled
with APPARENT careless step into the en-
CINE she'd George BIrks. the fireman,
l'had already got the engine off the turn
table, anS IN q few words, was making
her shine like a copper kettle.
Il asked him, as my nightly custom
was 'How's the missis?'
q" 'Fizzing,' he said, with a grin, wip-
Ing his face with a piece of rag, dark
with emery dust
"'How's yours?' he inquired, plung-
lpg the long rake among the coal on
the fender.
90 Oh, she's all right, lad replied,
taking my thick driving coat off the
nail beneath the roof Of the ingine cab.
IAN hows The baby? Ny wife says
she's nice little thing
" She is that She favors her mother
remarked In a grateful tone, for my
wife was pretty one.
During our gossip had run the en-
CINE into the south siding There, by
special instructions, we hooked on the
bullion van, five passenger carriages
ANA the guards van.
The guard, Fred Clayton, generally
very c'atty. was tonight noticed,
full Of mystery, He was on the state
Ct suppressed excitement, He merely
expressed the opinion that the strong
had wind blowing up from the channel
would make running heavy. He SAID
nothing about the gold stored away in
the bullion van; but / could tell from
his manner that he had also seen the
general manager that he was ucQIint-
cd with the value Of the freight His
silver braided coat was partially uL-
buttoned and ! saw by the light of his
hand lamp weapon that Cleaned like
a revolver ON the left side of his waist
belt.
When the shutter had run the com
munlcatlon cord through the rings
above the carriage windows, and
George had securely fastened the end
Of 1t to the warning appar titus. took
the train to the terminus platform for
passengers
Many people were travelling. The
carriages were crowded, and | had to
run out for an extra coach; but ! kept
my eyes on tho bullion van The
guards van was so piled with baggage
that there was hardly standing room
for It's custodian.
"Rehooking at the platform, with the
train completely equipped, | noticed
the two bank clerks show their permit
and bullion van key to the ticket coll
lector. They were rather distinguished
looking men. All bank clerks are 1t
Is foolish molten that the touch "
money makes every man sordid. On
some natures II is actually refning.
Take these bank clerks MS an example
They hal counted lGtes and weighed
gold till they had II look OF nobility.
One clerk was tall and dark. The other
short and fair. They wore light tweed
travelling cloaks, and caps of the same
cloth. They looked more like golfers
tr salmon angles off for long holiday
than city men On responsible duty.
Inn rossed with the object of their jour
ncy, the ticket collector touched his cap
and conducted them to the bullion van,
which they opened with the special key,
and a toIod.
by This time the mail was ono min
tie late, and WAS impatient to be of.
So eager was to Cllar the station and
get settled down at good speed on the
main line, that | almost anticipated the
guards signal to start. He was rails
ing his ilag and parting his lips to
shout Right away when Il man ran
bropthlessly agong the platform.
us 2is ~ Continental mail2" he
ga ped,
YVES jump in replied the guard
sharply, taking the nearly too late pas
oenger by the arm and thrustirG him
into the alrcHdy limited space in the
luggage van, for there was no time tn
open carriage door,
"Craning my head round the tender
corner | caught glimpse Of the tray
eer as he ran and sprang into the van,
He WITS tall and apparently powerful
man abort twenty years of age,
Though In civilian attire he had Il
military air, Accustomed as ! am TO
see many faces and forms, | should
have taken him for IN officer In Oh"
German army. On his right cheek he
had deep scar inflicted in y student
duel and he ran with the peculiar step
that jerks and springs from Teuton
drill.
I'VE had now clearcd the PLATFORM,
and in giving sharp attention t. the
home and slant signals, and tho scorH
of trims that seemed by the ltul light
of their tall lamps to b. making to the
same point Of the same track, ! tor&os