Evening star., 1902-01-11

strain had broken his health. Gradually
lie had grown thin, and the telltale pallor
OF overwork crept into his cheeks. Daily
/ sat beside him, marveling at his pluck.
as | saw his long. thin fingers dancing on
the key, as he bent over the train-sheet.
guiding the hurting monsters over 200 miles
OF track. Old WIKI wanted him to quit
and go to California, but Charley couldn't
afford 1t. he said We knew this was true,
for he had mother to support. his father
being dead; besides he was trying to keep a
younger brother in high school until the
boy should graduate
oh. I'll be all right when cool weather
comes" he would say in summer; and,
Never mind. 1 will brace up when spring
arrives would be his laughing excuse in
winter.
The trainmaster, grim. serious and seem
ingiy as cool and unfeeling as iron, l OBJ
served, often watched Sanline, and some
times grufiy ordered him to go out and
walk about for half hour, while the old
veteran himself took Charley's chair and
ordered the trains, to the discomfort Of
many a lazy operator out on the wire.
One day toward the hot end OF June
loEg train of coaches, decorated with bunt-
Ing and many flags, came pounding across
the switches and drew up alongside the
platform at TraynOr. The train was loaded
principally, with weii-dressed men, wearing
badges upon the lapels of their coats ard
carrying ribbon-knotted canes. the noisy
aggregation representing a great political
club on its way TO a nominating convention
at Chicago.
As the painting engine was uncoupIed and
started for her stall in the roundhouse. the
crowd Swarmed onto the station platform
Looking down from the bay window of the
office, for we were in the second story
saw the general manager of the road In a
group of men by the train. Having some
messages for him, hurried down and pre-
seDted them. He drew writing pad from
hts pocket, and, .scribbling several replies
handed them to me. then turned with a
CHEEKY Hello, DrautT' and shook the grimy
hand OF a short. grayish. solid-looking man
Ia e1g1neer's oYeraiis. who was passing to-
ward the front.
How is the go Drant? Can she take US
= 70 chicago IN two hours. You think? The
boys are anxioas 10 get IN for the afternoon
session" said the general manager.
Drant looked up at the tall official. a
odd mixture OF humor and savagery a man
with reputation for making fast runs.
The 80 is well, sir. TIL make her take
You there In that time II 1 have to drive a
Cwedge in her pop he said
ys The manager laughed and held up his
Z hand prOtestingly. "Oh, let her have her
safety valve, Drant! Don't wedge that or
she may blow up! In that event the east
would probably nominate the next Prest-
dent. the west being short lot OF log
rollers and delegates" He glanced smiling
h over the crowd OF politicians.
'Phat might prove blessing" grunted
,Drant, laconically, as the superb so came
backing down to be coupled on. II guess
the old girl will DANCE You there all right,
he added, looking fondIy at the mighty
machine . .... 49,
',Ha. there. Drant. here's orders for us.''
shouted the conductor from the Office win
dow. Come up and sign emf
NlpIns his PeTSplring forehead and oily
hands on a piece OF waste. Drant climbed
the stairs / was at his heels
The order was a long one involving sew
eral meeting points and the passing OF a
number OF trains as the special progressed
over the 10 miles between Traynor and
Chicago. 1 noticed that Sanline did not
look even as well usual. and how his
thin fingers trembled as he handed out the
order book to be signed
Don't let any rust accumulate under the
30 Drant." shouted wilkins as the con-
duetor and engineer seized their orders and
hurried out the door. Drant grunted de-
risiyeiy. that was all.
With flags hatterfng and the go emit
ting great. snorttng gasps from her ex.
hauSts. the long train went smashing over
the yard frogs and out upon the smoott
rails. and began whirifng away along ths
green valley toward the east
The first station. F'ruitlane, she was II
pass without stopping; at the third station
out. Treetor, her order was to meet a wild
oli-that is, a special OF oil tank cars run.
ming west As soon as the ''9ov cleared the
switches at-TFayHor, Drant pulled hel
throttle, leyer back close to the last notch
and hung nfs greasy cap on the reversing
lever. The fireman flung his cap among tht
coal In the tender. tore his shirt collar aper
and began a battle to keep her hot. In hvs
minutes his face was steaming sweat.
"A stinine heat lay over the land. Oyel
aR.ss heids Of metionless corn II pulsed