Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08

Il suppose that means me-" said Fitz-
patrick.
II suppose 1t does
Whose engine Is ft?''
"Siclone Clark's"
Fitzpatrick shifted to the other leg
Did he say what I would be doing while
this was going on2"
Something in Fitzpatrick's manner made
Neighbor laugh. Other things crowded in
and no more was said
No more was thought in fact. The 313
rolled as kindly for Fitzpatrick as for ST.
clone, and the new engineer, a quiet fellow
like Foley, only a good bit heavier. went
on and off her with never word for any
body.
One day Fitzpatrick dropped into a bar
Der shop to get shaved. In the next chair
and, stepping over to the table to set his
hat. picked up FitZpatrick's, by mistake
and walked out with it. He discovered his
change just as Fitz got out of his chair.
Siclone came back, replaced the hat on the
| Tablet had Fitzpatrick's name pasted in
| the crown-took up his own hat, and, as
Fftz reached for his, looked at him.
Everyone in the shop caught their breaths.
rs your name Fitzpatrick"
Yes, SIR
Mine Is Clark"
Fitzpatrick put on his hat.
You're running the 313, believe" con-
tinued Siclone.
Yes, sir
That's my engine"
Il thought 1t belonged to the company"
Maybe it does but I've agreed to kill
the man that takes her out before this
trouble is settled said Siclone, amiably.
Fitzpatrick met him steadily. IF you'll
let me know when 1t takes place I'll try
and be there"
Il don't jump on any man without fair
warning; any of the boys will tell you
that" continued siclone. Maybe you
didn't know my word was out"
Fitzpatrick hesitated. I'm not looking
for trouble with any man." he replied,
guardedly. But since you're disposed to
be fair about notice it's only fair to you to
say that 1 did kno your word was out"
Still you took her?'
1T was my ORDERS
MY word is out; the boys know 1t Is
good. L don't jump any man without fair
warning. l know you now, Fitzpatrick,
and the next time l see you look OUT and
without more ado Siclone walked out Of
the shop greatly to the relief of the barber,
If not of FitZ.
Fitzpatrick may have wiped little sweat
from his face, but he said nothing-only
walked down to the roundhouse and took
out the 313. as usual, for his run.
A week passed before the two men met
again. One night Sclone with a crowd of
the strikers ran into half a dozen Of the
new men, Fitzpatrick among them, and
there was riot. 1t was Sic.one's time to
carry out his intention, for Fitzpatrick
would have scorned to try to get away.
No tree ever breasted a tornado more stur-
dily than the Irish engineer withStood ST.
clone but when Ed Banks got there with
his wrecking crew and Strengthened things
out Fitzpatrick was picked up for dead
That night Siclone disappeared.
Warrants were gotten out and searchers
put after him, yet nobody could or would
apprehend him. 1t was generally under
stood that the sudden disappearance was
one of Siclones freaks. If the ex-cowboy
had so determined he would not have hid
den to keep out Of anybody's way. l have
sometimes pondered whether shame hadn't
a n N trlr Ifa11S
physical strength was fit for so much bet
ter things than beating other men that
maybe he himself sort Of realized 1t after
the storm had passed.
Down east of the depot grounds at Nc
Cloud stands, or stood, a great barnlike
hotel built in boom days, and long a ia
vorite resting place for invalids and trav-
elers en- route to California by easy stages.
1t was nicknamed the barracks. Many
railroad men boarded there, and the new
engineers liked it because it was close to
the roundhouse and away from the strik
ers.
Fitzpatrick without a whine or a COM
plant, was put to bed in the barracks, and
Holmes Kay, one of our staff surgeons, was
given charge of the case; trained nurse
was provided besides. Nobody thought the
injured man would live. But after every
care was given him, we turned our atten-
ton to the troublesome task of operating
the road.
The 813, whether 1t happened so, or
"netner NelBnDOr thought II well TO drop
the disputed machine temporarily, was not
taken out again for three weeks. She was
looked on as a hoodoo, and nobody want
ed her. Foley refused point-blank one day
to take her, claiming that he had troubles
of his own. Then, one day, something
happened to McTerzas engine; we were
stranded for a locomotive, and the 313
was brought out for McTerza; he didn't
Ike 1t bit.
Meantime nothing had been seen or heard
IF IN for ba
Neighbor urged for using his engine; but
1t seemed as If every time the 313 went
out 1t brought out Siclone, not to speak
of worse things.
That morning about 8 o'clock the unlucky
engine was coupled on to the White Flyer.
The night boy at the barracks always got
up hot lunch for the incoming and out
going crews on the mail run, and that
morning when he was through he forgot
to turn off the lamp under his coffee tank.
1t overheated the counter, and In a few
minutes the wood work was ablaZe If
the frightened boy had emptied the coffee
on the counter he could have put the fire
out; but instead he ran out to give the
alarm, and started up stairs to arouse the
guests.
There were at least fifty people asleep
in the house travelling and railway men.
Being a wooden building it was a quick
prey, and in an incredibly short time the
flames were leaping through the second
story windows
" men L got uOWN men were III
every direction from the burning hotel.
Rallroaders swarmed around, busy with
schemes for getting the people out, for
none are more Quick-witted IN time OF
| panic. Short as the opportunity was there
were many pretty rescues, until the flames
shooting up cut off the stairs, and left the
helpers nothing for it but to stand and
watch the destruction of the long, rambling
building. Half a dozen Of US looked from
the dispatchers' Office In the second story
of the depot. We had agreed that the
! people were all out when Foley below gave
| a cry and pointed to the south gable. Away
| up under the caves at the third story win
| dow we saw a FACET was Fitzpatrick.
| Everybody had forgotten Fitzpatrick and
| his nurse. Behind, as the flames lighted the
opening, we could see the nurse struggling
| to get him to the window. 1t was plain
| that the engineer was In no condition t
| help himself; the two men were in deadly
| peril; great cry went up.
! The crowd swarmed like ants around Il
| the south end; dozen men called for lad
ders; but there were no ladders. They
| called for volunteers to go III after the two
| men; but the stairs were long since fur
| mace. There were men IN plenty to take
any kind of chance, however slight but nc
| chance offered
| The nurse ran to and from the window
| seeking a loophole for escape Fitzpatrick
| dragged himself higher on the easement Il
| get out of the smoke which rolled over hin
| In choking bursts and looked down on tht
| crowd. They begged him to jump-held ou
| their arms frantically. The two men agar
y cid I'D