The Washington times., 1902-02-02

that she wasn't seeing a thing and that
her thoughts were at least 500 miles
away with the distance being reduced
by every revolution of the wheels.
The sun was high now. and 1t was get
ting warm. Suddenly there was a long
whistle, a changing of the bell and then
a slow, steady stop in front of a station.
Groups of oily. overalled men were in
front of the operators window and these
were soon Joined by the epgineman and
the conductor of the train just in. Bits
of yellow tissue paper were being studied
and the engineman remarked with grin:
Thought you boys on 2 didn't work
on Sunday" and then laugh all around.
All of which was the veriest Sanskirt TO
the scores of heads and eager ears poked
out of the car windows.
Wen be here half an hour" said one
of the chorus men as he came into the
car. Everybody turned around and with
almost studied chorus effect asked why.
Il don't know he retorted, but /
know they take on another engine here"
Then one of the girls, who had made
the trip last season. explained that they
had arrived at the foot of the mountains,
and then it took two engines to pull the
flyer over that section of the road. So
most OF them filed out on the platform to
see what was going on.
They had hardly reached the station
front when that most typical of Virginia
railroad accessories-the colored woman
with the fried chicken and the beat bis
cuits-appeared on the scene. To those
who had not supped since before the pre-
cedng nights performance no cry of an
nouncement was needed and the on
slaught began.
- Going east and vest on this the noun
tain division of the road, two engines
were always used to pull the limited.
first. because it was limited, and, second
ly, because it was too heavy for one
locomotive.
No AZ had the honor this summer Sab
bath, and began to back out Of the round
house over the switch and down the main
track to be buckled on to the regular,
which had one more division to pull be-
fore she dropped out TO let AZ have IT
alone. The coupling process was in or
der while the shopmen tested the air hose
and played badly-timed zylophone solo
on the car wheels to see If they were
equal to the rest of the journey.
When AZ was securely coupled to her
the engineman came down and
began oiling while the fireman leaned
out of the cab window, smoking short
pipe and very intently watching young
woman, who. seated on a baggage truck,
was destroying her hunger with very
formidable chicken leg and alternate bites
of biscuit while her eyes wandered
around the circumference of a custard
pie that lay in waiting by her side.
The young lady was Miss Hodson, and
she was a young lady with an appetite.
She looked up and noticing that she was
being watched became nervous. as one
who is eating with his or her fingers al
ways does when they know they are being
watched.
Presently she finished and walked over
TO the engine. She was looking at its
great drivers very intently when she was
startled by the remark:
You've forgot your pie"
80 ! have" she said, and she walked
over, picked IL up and returned to her
survey of the locomotive.
Looks bright and shiny. don't it,
the fireman, evidently intent on
continuing the conversation.
Yes" said Miss HodsoD. and then "a
bite OF pie.
FINISHED your season." said the fire
man with the air OF a man who knew what
he was talking about
What" retorted Miss Hodson: and
then: oh, yes; we're going in 10 New
York"
Where to-tbe Comique?" he asked.
NO, we closed last night"
Thought it would be put on again." he |