The midland journal., 1901-08-02

IN the fresh morning air with the
/ sunshine beginning to send golden
shafts through the eastern gap,
long freight train came pulling
around the curve and drew up
on the side track at Buzzard's
Run station. The conductor was
young man with a strong and
rather intelligent face. He had on
the heaviest load OF the season in
coal and lumber, and was inwardly
doubtful as to how the train would
take the down grade on the other side
of the mountain. He was also doubt
fal whether his orders to stop at Alta
tank for water was wise ore. but
he knew nothing but obedience to or
ders, and he also knew he must have
water. There was plenty of time to
think about it here at Buzzard's. The
express was late, and the local would
only be 80 minutes behind 1t. 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 he 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 Buskirk sat down
In the one available chair. Atkinson
clicked off something energetically
and then wheeled about.
"Say. Buskirk, Flasher is beating
your time. Lettie went up to 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 to be married in the late
spring. Everyone knew 1t. everyone
expected it. He could not believe At
kinson at first
us this a job?" he said, after mo-
ment, 'because it's 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. I
was buying some things in Philadel-
phia furniture and SUCH"
"Flasher's deep one," said Atkin-
son, "and he claims TO fly high with the
passenger department. Lettie's en the
local all right. Mae Kenzie, down at
Ash Grove, was just asking if you two
had quarreled,"
Buskirk sat still for three minutes.
The shrin whistle of the coming ex-
press came clearly.
I'D give half my life if I dared let
Bill Cross take her over the mountain
and go down on the local to Upton"
said he, then more slowly. "but It
would never do. I could see Lettie a
few moments, but l am lucky if 1 get
over and down without break down
the grade-for I've got 70 stop for
water al Alta"
Atkinson shook his head,
"Why didn't you water at Halls or
Kirby's with ssch heavy train,
John?"
Water tank at Halls being repaired
been leaking for a year-orders for
Alta-that's ALL"
The express whistled again and, in a
few seconds thundered by and puffed
up the cut and out of sight. Buskirk's
panied face moved Atkinson.
"Say, l only told YOU so you'd know
what's up, Buskirk. / hate Flasher.
Now go in and marry her before he
gets her. Carry her off-anything
I'll help. I'm not redheaded for moth.
ing"
"It 1 could only be sure" groaned
Buskirk.
Here, be a man. Go out to the To-
cal. You know these crowds from Tip.
ton going home from a dance. Heads
all out the windows, half of them on
the platform. Show up and see wheth-
er they're together. There's 81 whist.
ling now. Come on, John"
Thc local pulled around the curve
and slowed up as if unwilling to stop
so hard was 1t to start up the noun.
tain. The Upton crowd was evidently
on BOARD. Shouts and laughter re-
sounded from doors and windows, and
on the platform, were young men apd