The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-10

long engagement, ana at O'CLOCK
they were back in the car, and the cap
ftalist signalled the motornan to go
ahead on the return trip.
We 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 a
clear track all the way We've had
litigation over this road and it isn't do
ing regular business yet, but We'll be
running on schedule in a day or two"
They were out of earshot Of the 9TH
ers, and Jim leaned toward the CAPT.
talist.
Mr.. Norcross," he said, have you
noticed that the motornan has been
drinking heavily?''
NO cried the capitalist. Has the
idiot started one of his periodical
sprees? Best man in my emnlcy When
he's sober When he's drunk he's a
stupid log. Keep your eye on him
Jim"
The young man nodded and started
down the aisle to the motorman's YES
THULE
1t might have been ten minutes Eater
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. Ee
reached forward and caught the motrr-
/ man by the arm The latter turnal
with an oath, and unsteadily rising to
his feet, struck at him blindly. Jim
flung him aside, shut off the power and
OF. p ior r
ened speed reluctantly, but finally CAME
to a standstill halfway round the
curve.
Then Jim turned. The motorman had
fallen and struck his head against the
ironwork at the end of the scat. lie
was lying on the car floor unconscious.
Ethel was unaware that anything un-
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
the men were" said Ethel, as she laid
her hand affectionately on her fathers
arm. Il felt quite neglected. Are we
waiting on a 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 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"
rs Jim = Mr. Protheroe-a surgeon
too?"
He's something of a surgeon re-
piled her father with a laugh. Its an
other one of those things he learned at
that remarkab BILE college. It seems 2
half dozen of his college mates had
planned hazardous trip to the Bad
Lands, and they knew they ought to
have a surgeon doctor along, SO Jim
volunteered and took a 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
important conference
We'll, why don't we go ahead?"
without motorman? Besides, we've
1t happened 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.
1T seems so,'' he said Its 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 CT
his age
Still laughing, Ethels father left the
car and joined the two Eastern college
men, who We're 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
smudged with dirt, he was facing her
smiling father.
Waiting for orders, SIR he said.
with a 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 the Alfalfa
and Stony Ledge electric road and l
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 I'll give you a
permanent job
The capitalist looked up and caught
I.
AS Jim turned away Ethel called
softly to her father.
Daddy she murmured, don't you
forget to ask Jim up to dinner to-
night"
Her gratified parent looked up at her
with a quizzical smile that called
swift blush to her cheek.
"All aboard" shouted Jim-Cleve-
land Plaindealer.