The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1899-10-13

capitalist.
"Rather strong of Kansas, isn't heT'
laughed Ethel.
ooh, | don't know" said her father.
"He doesn't make any parade of his tai
ents. He's just like his old dad. There
wasn't a keeuer boy in town. We were
| chums. you know, and both of us started
in without dollar. l fancy we've both
done pretty well"
I as Mr.. Protheroe's father a man of
property?' inquired Ethel.
81 should say he was. The last heard
| about him he owned the opera house, the
hotel, the bank, the finest residence in
town and held first mortgage on the
biggest meeting house. Jim's financial
| future is all right. He's only child,
| you know"
NO. didn't KNOW" said Ethel.
The big hamper turned out to be most
beautifully loaded. and everybody
| brought along picnic appetite. Then
| they rolled into Bennington, and, leaving
the ladies in charge Of the two eastern
men, James Norcross took the Kansas
lad and started to keep his engagement
| with the local townsman. 1t was not a
| long engagement, and at 1 o'clock they
| were back on the car, and the capitalist
return trip.
1--WE should be able to run the 80 miles
back to Cleveland nicely in two hours"
| he said to Jim. 81 must be there at 8
| o'clock. and we have a clear track all the
way. We've had litigation over this road,
and it isn't doing regular business yet,
| but we'll be running on schedule in day
or two"
-l,.A - A.,
| and jim leaned toward the capitalist.
"Mr. Norcross," he said, "have you no.
ticed that the motorman has been drink
ing heavily?"
Mo- cried the capitalist HAS the
idiot started one of his periodical sprees
Best man in my employ when he's sober.
When he's drunk, he's stupid log. Keep
your eye on him, jim"
The young man nodded and started
down the aisle to the motorman's vesti-
bule.
1t might have been ten minutes later
when he noticed that the speed was in
creasing to a really dangerous rate.
Looking ahead, he saw, mile or so
away. Il sharp curve. He knew that it
was highly hazardous to attempt to strike
it at that high rate of speed. He reach
the arm. The latter turned, with an
oath, and, unsteadily rising to his feet,
struck at him biindly. Jim flung him
aside, shut off the power and put on the
airbrake. The car slackened speed re-
luctantly, but finally came to a standstill
half way round the curve.
Then Jim turned. The motorman had
fallen, and struck his head against the
al
lying on the car floor unconscious.
Ethel was unaware that anything I'M
usual had taken place. She sat in the
last seat at the rear. with her back TO the
front of the car, her companion, Miss
Mayer. beside her. Presently her father
came down the aisle and stopped.
Il was beginning to wonder where all
the men were," said Ethel as she laid
her hand affcctionately on her fathers
arm. Il felt quite neglected. Are we
waiting on switch?"
There has been n little accident, my
dear" said her father. We're not ON i
switch"
''An accident, papa! Who is hurtY
1.-THE motorman, but not seriously. Jim
says it's scalp wound and broken col
lar bone. He's got him all bandaged
up nicely, anu Us SOOH as ue SelS over the
effects of the-the shock he'll be in very
fair shape"
rs Jim-Mr. Protheroe a surgeon
too?"
Hes something of a surgeon" replied
her father, with laugh. Its another
one of those things he learned at that re-
markable college. 1t seems a half dozen
of his college mates had planned haz-
ardous trip to the Bad Lands, and they
knew they ought to have a surgeon-doc-
tor along, so Jim volunteered and took q
six months course in the rudiments."
Ethel looked out Of the window.
"Where are we, papa|
about ten miles from nowhere"
snarled the capitalist. "And I'm needed
in Cleveland at 3 o'clock for a most i'm
portant conference"
well, why doa't we go ahead?"
without motorman? Besides, we've
busted something In the running gear.
1t happened in slackening up suddenly.
Do you hear that pounding?"
'Now hear it, papa"
THAT'S Jim under the car, trying to
tinker up the break"
rs he a mechanic too?"
Despite his anxiety, the capitalist
laughed again.
at seems So" be said. cts another
thing he learned out there in Kansas. I
suppose we are just beginning to find
him out. You were right about it. He
isn't much like the other youngsters Of
his age"
Still laughing, Ethel's father left the
car and Joined the two eastern college
men, who were standing not far away.
Ethel raised the window and looked out.
AS she did so she caught sight of Jim.
Hatless, coatless and vestless, his thick
hair wildly tumbled and his face smudg-
ed with dirt, he was facing her smiling
father.
Waiting for orders, SIR" he said, with
q comical pull at his hair.
Can you run motor, too% asked the
capitalist.
I've had some experience at It," re-
piled Jim. Father built tho Alfalfa and
Stony Ledge Electric road, and I ran the
first motor over it. If you'll sit with me
and keep me posted on the points, I'll
promise to haul you through on time"
"All right, my boy. Run her through
on schedule time, and III give you a per.
manent job"
The capitalist looked mp and caught his
daughters eye and laughed again.
As jim turned away Ethel called softly
to her father.
Daddy" she murmured, don't you
forget to ask Jim up to dinner tonight"
Her gratified parent looked up at her
with a quizzical smile that called a swift
blush to her check.
"All aboard" shouted Jim.-Cleveland
Plain Dealer.