Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-11-14

by her fathers voice.
"Why, bless my soul, boy" he was
saying, you know more about railway
building than do. Where did you pick
it up
Helped lay out a road in western
Kansas" replied Jim. That's one of
the things we learned at Adams. | be-
lieye have the right to put civil en-
gineer' after my name"
So he did know Il little something,
thought the girl, but 1T seemed like such
uninteresting knowledge. Truly, he was
decidedly different from the Eastern
boys.
Then her father and Jim came into the
car and the conversation became general.
Ethel noticed that jim held his own
pretty we'll when he did talk, but for the
most part he was but Il listener. There
was one thing she was grateful to him
for. She knew that he admired her. His
frank, open glance told her that. But he
had the good sense not to annoy her by
any special attentions.
Pretty soon the little party scattered,
Jim and the young men going out on the
rear platform to smoke, leaving father
and daughter and chaperon in the car.
What do you think of Jim?'' said the
capitalist.
Rather strong of Kansas, isn't he?"
laughed Ethel.
'Oh, [ don't know" said her father.
He doesn't make anH parade of his
talents. He's just like his old dad
There wasn't keener boy in town. We
started in without a dolla". | fancy
we've both done pretty we'll"
rs Mr.. ProtherOe's father man of
property" inquired LCnel.
Il 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 a first mortgage on the
biggest meeting house. Jim's financial
future is all right. He's an only child,
you know"
NO. 1 don't know" said Ethel
The big hamper turned out to be the
most bountifully loaded, and everybody
brought along a 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. It was not a
long engagement, and at / o'clock they
were back III the car, and the capitalist
signaled the motorman to go ahead Oh
the return trip.
eve should be able to run the thirty
two miles back to Cleveland nicely in two
hours" he said to jim. Il must be there
at 3 o'clock, and we have clear track
all the way. We've had litigation over
this road and it isn't doing a regular
business yet, but we'll be running on
schedule in a day or two"
They were out of earshot Of the others,
and jim leaned toward the capitalist.
Mr.. NOrcrOss, he said, ''have YOU
noticed that the motorman has been
drinking heavily"
NO 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 mOtOrnoD'S
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-a mile or so
aWay-a sharp curve He knew that it
was highly hazardous to attempt to
strike 1T at that high rate of speed He
reached forward and caught the motor
man by the arm. The latter turned with
an oath, and unsteadily rising to his feet,
struck at him blindly. jim flung him
aside, shut off the power and put on
the airbrake. The car slackened speed
reluctantly, but finally came to stand
still half way round the curve.
Then Jim turned. The motorman had
fallen and struck his head against the
;ronwork at the end of seat. He was
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 I'm down the aisle and stopped;
Il was beginning to wonder where the
men We're, said Ethel, as she laid her
hand affectionately on her fathers arm
L feel quite neglected Are we waiting
on switch?'
There has been a little accident, my
dear, said her father. Were not on a
switch"
accident, papa! Who is hurt?''
The motorman. But not seriously.
Jim says it is a scalp wound and broken
collar-bone. He's got him all bandaged
up nicely, and as soon as he gets over
the effects of the-the shock he'll be in
very fair shape"
is Jim-Mr Protheroe-a surgeon,
too?'
He's something of a surgeon replied
her father with a laugh. Its another
one Of those ihingsshe learned at that re-
markable college. 1t seems half dozen