The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-08-21
The Release
Of No. 2OI
BY DAVID H. TALMAoeE
Copyright, iOG. by D. II. TaimAdso
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the schedule on tho branch road was
stuck In the snow, and there seemed to
be no relief for It. No provision had
been made for such a contingency be-
cause the branch, sheltered by trees
and bluffs, had been considered proof
against such misfortune The engi-
neer, who had been on the run for
twenty years. was too astonished for
words when the small locomotive
failed TO cut the drift into which II
had plunged 80 confidently. and he sat
on his seat staring dumbly at the con-
ductor. who swore shOekingly and ges-
ticulated with his arms
In the coach were two passengers,
both young men. One was the type OF
commercial salesman sent out by small
tobbing houses, well dressed, self as
sertiye, crudely philosophic; the other,
by appearance. plainly farmer He
wore q baggy, shiny black suit and his
white collar was attached to q ging'
ham shirt by a white bone button,
sewed with black thread. His appear
anco was enhanced by a carefully
trimmed shock OF hair and whiskers.
The commercial salesman bad arisen
when the train stopped and had walk
cd to the door.
Il guess" be remarked after min
ute, "that we're stalled"
He whistled a popular melody as he
walked down the aisle and noted with
some amusement that the other man
was clutching the back Of a seat, his
eyes filed with CONSERVATION.
Provoking, isn't ~" the drummer
said as no lighted a cigar and drew a
paper covered book from his grip.
"Y-ycs- by-catr' the other STAN
mcrcd "Say. do you mean that we're
utuckT'
That's 1t exactly. Here's the con.
ductor now"
The conductor slammed the door VI
clously and shook the snow from his
cap "Wc'rc up against II, gentlemen"
hc announced In disgust THE con.
founded tcaEcttlc IS dying like q sick
pig out there Ia n Crift no blgger'n a
washtuh. We're two miles from Dix
port. aud the SHOWS so thick you can't
see your hand before your face. Lucky
we've been to supper"
Then we won't get out tonightT
asked the farmer unNlously, looking at
his watch.
That's the size OF II. As were up
here on this pea vino the section men
won't learn what's the matter with us
TIT tomorrow. We've got plenty Of
coal II might be worse"
"YcS" said the farmer. Il s'posc II
might. but don't sec how II could be
much worse FOR me-"
lie picked up an overshoe.
you Sec" be explained, fastening
the buckle. eve got a particular en-
gagcmcnt tonight up at Dilkport. and
II the train amt going I've got TO hOof
It."
Tie put on the other shoe and rose.
reaching for the wolfskin coat which
danglcd from one end OF the parcel
holder. Tho conductor and the sales
man contemplated him In astonlsh-
mcnt.
"But. man, you can't do It possibly"
esid the conductor You'll fall through
q bridge or something, and then you'll
freeze 10 death"
II reckon It's a bit risky" admitted
,hc farmcr. but I amt nt all sure II
wouldn't be risklcr not 20. You sec,
ny wlfe's at Dllhport, and she's sick.
She may be dying. I've got to go to
her"
An expression OF sympathy came up
on the conductors face. and that Of the
salesman took on n sudden gravity.
There are certain circumstances"
the farmer continued I'm explanation.
(which make Il more important that I
should see her than you might natural
" think from the plain fact OF her be-
ing sick. haven't treated her Just
right. 70 tell the truth. I've been stu
pld and unreasonable We were mar
ried only O year ago. won her away
from three or four other fellows. Amy
one OF 'em would have made her q
better husband than me. Funny how
such things 90. amt itr'
'Tts a blooming queer old world"
, said the conductor, nOdding his head
sagely.
"And the queerest things In II arc
girls" added the salesman in the tone
OF an authority.
eve were married at Dnkport, where
she was raised, and we went to my
farm to live We were happy as could
DO for maybe six months. and then ]
noticed that something was wrong
with her. A sort Of cloud come over
her. II was nothing but homesickness,
! l s'pOse, but / couldn't see II any other
way than that she was sorry she'd
married me. And one day happened
, TO ind a sheet OF paper-a part Of
! letter she'd been wridng-that had
dropped from her portfolio. and l read
a. There weren't many words on the
sheet. The FIRST one was disa2pOint
, Cd ending a sentence she'd begun on
the sheet that went before And ther
It saidi IL Is not as had pictured Il
I visa 20 60 home And right there
IA - Ia rcNhI,.s 80 kor