The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-09-08

| TO him FOR. She knew that he ad-
mired her His frank, open glance told
her that But he had the good sense
| not to annoy her by any special at
tentions.
| 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.
Father strong of Kansas, isn't he?"
laughed Ethel.
"Oh, I don't know" said her father.
"He doesn't make any parade of his
talents. He's just like his old dad.
There wasn't keener boy in town.
! We We're Chums, you know, and both
of us started in without a dollar. l
fancy we've both done pretty WELL
is Mr.. Protheroe's father a man of
| property?" inquired Ethel.
II should say he was, The last l
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. Jims financial future is all
right. He's an only child, you know"
| NO. don't know" said Ethel
The big hamper turned out to be
| most bountifullY loaded, and every
| body brought along a picnic appetite.
| Then they rolled into BevingtCn, and,
leaving the ladies in charge of the
| two eastern men, James NorcrGss took
the Kansas lad and started to keep
| his engagement with the local tow MS
man. 1t was not a long engagement.
and at l o'clock they were back in
the car and the capitalist signaled the
| motorman to 90 ahead on the return
| trip.
| I'VE should be able t. run the thirty
two miles back to cleveland nicely in
| two hours" ne said to Jim. II must
be there at . 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 Wen
be running on schedule in Il day or
| two"
| They were out of earshot of the
others. and Jim leaned toward the cap
italist.
| MI. NorCruss." he said. have YOU
noticed that the motorman has been
drinking heavilv?"
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 q
stupid log. Keep you eye on him,
| Jim"
The Young man nodded and started
down the aisle to the motorman'S Vcs-
tibule.
| 1t might have been ten minutes later
when he noticed that the speed was
increasing to a really dangerous rate.
J Looking ahead he saw-amle or sO
away-a sharp curve. Tie knew that
it was highly hazardous to attempt
to strike it at that high rate of speed.
He reached forward and caught the
motOrman by the arm. The latter
turned with an oath, and, unSteadily
rising to his feet. struck at him blind
! ly. Jim flung him aside, shut off the
power and put on the air brake. The
car slackeneG speed reluctantly. but
finally came to standstil half way
round the curve.
Then Jim tlrncd. The motorman
had fallen and struck his head against
the irOnWoTk at the end of a seat. He
was living on the car floor unconscious.
Ethel was unaware that anything
unusual had taken place. She sat In
the last seat at the rear, with her
back to the front of the car her COM
panion, Miss MAYER beside her. Pres
entity her father came down the aisle
and stopped.
Il was beginning to wonder where
all the men We're" said Ethel. as she
|
fathers arm. Il felt quite neglected.
Are we waiting on a switch?"
"Therc has been 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 would and 4
broken collar bone. He's got him all
bandaged up nicely, and as soon as he
gets over the effects Of tne--the shock
he'll be in very fair shape"
rs Jim-Mr, ProtheIoe--a surgeon,
too?"
Hes something of a surgeon" re-
piled her father with laugh. ITS
another one of those things he learned
at that remarkable college 1t seems
a half dozen Of his college mates had
planned hazardous trip to the Bad
Lands, and they knew they ought -
have surgeon doctor along, 50 Jim
volunteered and took six months
course in the rudimCnts."
Ethel looked out Of the window
"Where are we papa
About ten miles from nowhere"
snarIed the capitalist, And I'm need
ed in Cleveland at 2 o'clock for a most
important conference"
"Well why don't we so ahead?"
without motorman? Besides
? we've busted something in the running
gear. 1t happened in Stacking up sud
denly. Do you hear that poundlng?"
Nov | hear it,"
That's Jim under the car trying
> to tinker up the break"
"Is he a mechanic, too?"
Despite his anxiety, the capitalist
laughed again.
1T seems So" ne said. IT'S another
thing he learned out there in Kansas
I suppose we are just beginning to find
him out, You We're right about IL
He isn't much like the other youngsters
Of his age"
: Still laughing, Ethers 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 .-ltless. cOatless and vcstless
his thick hair wildly tumbled and his
face smudged with dirt he was facing