Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1901-06-01

n long freight train came pulling
around the curve and drew up
on the side track at Buzzard's
Run station. The conductor was
q young man with a strong and
rather intelligent face. He had on
the heaviest load of the season in
coal and lumber, and was inwsrdly
doubtful as TO how the train would
take the down grade on the other side
Of the mountain. He was also doubt
full whether his orders 10 stop at Alta
tank for water was wise one, but
he knew nothing but obedience TO or
ders, and he also knew he must have
water. There was plenty of time TO
think ab>s;t y here at Buzzard'S- The
express was late, and the local would
only be 30 minutes behind IL. SO Bus
kirk sat down on pile of ties near the
engine and enjoyed his leisure.
Not for long, however. The station
agent came out and beckOned him
wildly. When ne reached the door OF
the telegraph Office, Atkinson, the red
headed youth from Charleston who
presided at the instrument, was busy
at the clicking sounder. He motioned
with his elbow. and BuslCirk sat down
I'm the one available chair. Atkinson
clicked of something energetically
and then wheeled about.
"Say, Buskirk. Flasher In beating
your time. Lettie went up 60 Ash
Grove to a big dance with him last
night. She Is going home on the local
the whole crowd Is on"
Buskirk grew white. II was sud
den and unexpected blow. Lettie
Rhodes was his promised wife, and
they were 20 be married in the late
spring. Everyone knew IL. everyone
expected il. He could not believe At
hnson at first.
''Is this job?" he said, after a mo-
ment. because it's a poor one. Lettie
don't like Flasher a little bit. She's
told me so. Why, you know, we are TO
be married in two or three months. l
was buying some things in Philadel-
phia-furniture and such"
"Flasher's n deep one" said Atkin-
son, "and he claims to hy high with the
passenger department. Lettie's on the
local all right. Mae Kenzie. down at
Ash Grove, was just asking If you two
had quarreled."
Busl0irk sat still for three minutes
The shrill whistle of the coming ex.
press came clearly.
''Pd give half my life 81 I dared let
Bill Cross take her over the mountain
and go down on the local 20 Upton D
said he, then more slowly, ''but II
would never do. I could see Lettie .
few moments. but 1 am lucky If get
over and down without a break down
the grade-for I've got 90 stop foI
water at Alta"
Atkinson shook his head.
why didn't you water az Halls oi
Kirby's with such a heavy train
John7"
water tank at Halls being repaired
been leaking for year-orders fol
Alta-that's ALL"
The express whistled again and. In
few seconds thundered by and puffec
up the cut and out of sight. Buskirk'
panied face moved Atkinson.
Say, 1 only told you so you'd know
what's up, BuslCirk. 1 hate Flasher
Now go In and marry her before h
gets her. Carry her off-anything
I'll help. I'm not redheaded for moth
ing"
eff could only be sure" groane,
Busklrk.
"Here, be q man. Go out to the Ia
cal You know these crowds from Til
ton going home from a dance. Head
all out the windows, half of them O
!. the platform. Show up and see whetf
er they're together. There's 81 whist
ling now. Come on, John"
Th~ local pulled around the curv
and slowed up as IL unwilling 20 stoI
go hard was IL TO start up the mouI
faIp- The Upton crowd was evidentl
ON poard. Shouts and laughter II
sounded from doors and windows, ans
on the platform. were young men an
women crowding out to salute Atlil
son, who knew everybody. BuskiI
stood out, grimy, white and defiant
the morning sunshine. His presen'
made a sudden silence, then raised
great shout.
Hello, John. we've got Lettiei lie
tie, there's John. We stole a march {
you. Buskirki"
There was Lettie In her fiimsy piT
gown with a white hat and tumbl,
hair. Lettie. his little girl. His hea
aehsd until IL seemed that 1t woa
burst. Flasher was there, behind he
smirking and conscious. But Jol
Buskiri< was no mans game.
'Wsit for me at the station, Lettie
he called. ''We're due 20 after and si