The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-07
ON THE NIGHT EXPRESS.

The night express had stopped before a
small wooden station whose dim oil lights
could be discerned but family by those
within the coaches who might be curious
" enough inclined to peer out into the
] darkness. The station itself was an in
conspicuous structure, the untenable roof
| and Gebiltated walls spoke i'll for the
progress and prosperity of the commune
| " 1t represented. Back, perhaps a half
| mile, stood a cluster Of dingy frame
] houses-the village store, a blacksmith S
| shop, a rude, crumbling church, together
with the homes OF the few score who had
selected this desolate spot as their habi-
1 tation. From the village inn alone the
/ lights shone, piercing the night with their
| brilliancy. There, beneath their glow,
was gathered half dozen of men, gar
rulous and noisy. laughing at the prob
| lens Of existence, despising the senti-
ments of manhood and OF pride.
Though it was early evening. darkness
/ had fallen like q sinister shroud upon
the earth. Dark, ominous clouds-fore-
runners of an impending storm-mo
swiftly across the heavens and hid from
/ view the twinkling stars. In the far dis
lance the echo of thunder reyerberated
and occasionally a rain drop spattered
| against the car windows.
The pause at the station was but mo-
mentary one. A single passenger clums-
ily pulled himself upon a rear platform,
and entering the car dropped silently into
the first seat. The brakeman's lantern
conveyed the premonitory signal, the iron
monster shrieked a response and the ex-
press again started upon its journey
through the night
The passenger sat very still, apparently
unnoticed, and seemingly oblivous of his
surroundings. Though his head was bent
low upon his breast and his fringed cap
RI z t,o r,rb 70
spoke of dissipation and of debauchery.
The hair which struggled from beneath
the cap was disheveled and unkempt. The
odOr of liquor hung heavily upon his
clothing When the conductor approach
ed he gave him a ticket marked ROuen,
Inc next station on the road.
Through the seemingly interminable
stretch of fields, green with the verdure Of
spring, broken only here and there by a
patch Of woods. over streams and occas-
ionally across dusty highways. the night
express flew upon its wings of steam. \
few moments more and the lights Of ROu-
en- broke upon the view. Another. and
the grinding brakes have brought the
flyer to a sudden stop.
When she resumed her motion, the pas
senger was still aboard. Soon. the con-
dUctor, noticing this, requested Of him in
a rather ostentatious manner an addition
al fare.
How far are you going. sir?" There
was no reply.
HOw far are you gOing?'
''Whitby," was the response.
Thirty cents more
The passengers maintained absolute 81
lence and sat mOtionless.
"COme-come, 30 cents"
Il haven't a penny. I spent the last
for the ticket"
Well, sir, then youu have to get off,
The dignitary gave the cord three sharp
pulls. Come" he said again, as he laid
his hand upon the passenger arm.
Come"
It was then that the man was sud
denly aroused from his apparent letharSy.
the muscles of his face contracted.
look of pain was stamped upon the fea-
lures. The voice was piteous in the ex-
IRENE.
ooh, you cannot mean it-you won't do
it. My God, you don't do it I must 60
I must get to see her-she's there-my
wife-she takes this train at Whitby-
they told her all this-her parents-three
months ago when she became my bride
she loved me-she wouldn't believe them
but only let me get to see her be-
fore she goes back to them. III reform
I swear it before God. III not touch the
stuff again-but 1 must stop her and
haven't another penny. You'll
The train had stopped. THAT was all
very well said, answered the conductor,
and, smiling, it may be true, but II you
haven't any money I'm afraid We can't
you. There's a house down
there just over the fence
Down the steep incline of the roadbed
half reclining as the trailing ivy vines
caught him IN their nets, blinded by the
darkness about him, the man found his
way to the fence below. He leaned
heavily against it, his face buried in his
arms. A little sob broke from his lips
and a woman's name. How long he re-
NAMED thus he I'D not know. When he
looked up the lights Of the express were
but glimmering specks in the far dis
lance. ne climbed TO the track again
and set his back upon them. He would
return-return to the scenes he had
sworn TO abandon; return TO the light,
to vice to he'll itself for aught he cared
now. He had waited too long and had
lost. The woman he had vowed to pro-
tect and cherish was going away to ind
a home-back TO a father who would
care for her-back to a mother who
would weep with her and press her to a
mothers heart
Down the track and through the dark
ness he went his way. The raindrops, !
falling now with greater rapidly, beat
upon him unnoticed. he had but one
it and to forget.
When the night express reached Whit /
by, little woman. young IN years, frai
In stature was tenderiy helped aboard.
A plaid shawl covered her shoulders,
though the night was not cold, and e
faded straw bonnet served as a protec-
ton to her rather pretty head In her
hands she carried q small package, held
by shawl-strap, and a blue and white
handkerchief tied in little knot over a /
few pieces Of silver. Though lines Of suf- !
fering still lay upon her face and the /
Ong. dark lashes bore evidence of recent /
tears, she was composed and calm
In a half hour-a short one-she had I
reached her destination. An elderly man, I
arge and stern in appearance, dressed /
ri the clothing Of the farm, with a pair OF /
heavy grays and an old-fashioned box !
wagon. was awaiting her He kissed away I
ler tears. which had started anew. gently /
fitted her to the seat and took the place I
beside her Down the winding country !
-oad they drove into the night.
The night express was already on its 4
way
wonder If that was the guys wife /
he fellow you pat OF back there away
ventured the newsboy.
The conductor gave him 9 sardenio +
smile and contemptuously observed, /
Nav"
Gum-Chewing Etiquette.
CFrom the New York SUM
A woman who IS TRYING To live W TO i