Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-08-11

Nav, you won't!" exclaimed Dan,
hurriedly, as he jumped down from the
cab; I'm goin' myself"
This was the nearest that Dan was
ever known to come toward displaying
any resentment toward Ben. AS he
strobe away one of his brakemen came
hurrying after him.
"Say, Dan," he queried, anxiously,
you amt goin' over to Atkins are
your"
Dan nodded.
well, wouldn't. The or Mans in
town-so they tell me; KEN in at 3:4O,
an goin' out on the south-bound. God
only knows what he's stoppin' here for,
but if he was to ketch you in that So
loon, he'd fire you, shore"
Dan muttered some confused reply,
but still kept on toward the saloon. 1t
was nearly dark now, and when he
opened the door the big coal oil lamp
hanging behind the bar had been light
ed. Passing through without stopping,
he hurried into the room behind. There
he remained for about five minutes in
conversation with Grace. Just what
passed between them nobody knows,
but when Dan reappeared in the saloon
it was noticed that broad smile was on
his face.
"Made up, did you. Dan? Glad to hear
it," said big Bill Atkins, the proprietor
OF the saloon, as he whacked Dan in the
ribs good-naturedly with his ponderous
fist
Dan said nothing, but nodded mystic
riously.
Then he hurried to the front door in
so much confusion that he collided at
full tilt with q man who had just en-
tered.
why don't you run over fellowP"
exclaimed the newcomer, rather rough
ly. Then, stepping back he took a good
look at the offender.
Great Scott! If it amt Dan Russelll
You arc the last man on the Denver I'd
ever have expected to see in here. And
in such fix, too
It was the "Old Man" There is no
need to give his name or his official sta
ton. He was Dams superior officer in
railroad circles, and that settled the
matter. Dan hung his head and hurried
out into tho gathering darkness to make
what no knew would be his last run on
No. 10.
What in the devil brought you In
here just at this time?" growled Bill At
kins as he scowled ut the newcomer.
The "Old Man." who was not so very
old after all, bowed rather dcprecating-
ly.
"A young lady sent me note, re-
Questing me to call. I suppose it was
on business of some kind. 1t was Miss
Atkins, your daughter, 1 presume"
That night Grace had stormy inter
view with her father. The more he
stormed, the more She wept. 1t had all
been intended for joke. She had sent
for the "Old Man" just to tease Dan
and to make him little jealous. She
had never once thought any harm could
come Of 1t. So she protested between
her sobs. But her father only reiterated
with lion-lilLe roar that although he
knew she was one of the blankedest
fools in Texas, he knew very we'll she
had never been such fool us that.
OF course Dan was not Discharged;
that distinction is reserved for higher
officers in railroad circles. Engineers
merely get fired; and that was what
happened to Dan. If he had been man
Of another kind, he might have worked
the proper wires and got Oft with only
short My-off. Even if he himself had
begged hard enough matters might
have been compromised AS it was, be
merely gave up his place without say
ing word. Nobody was surprised to
learn that Ben Stikes had been pro-
NOTED to Dams place at the throttle of
No. 16. In few days Dan began quiet
" to look about for another job. He
soon obtained u place under the section
foreman of section only few miles
from the Chicken and Bread town. AS
the foreman was married man, he and
his family lived In town, Dan bunkcd
alone in the section house. 1t was an
humble job for the former engineer, but
1t was better than nothing.