The southern sentinel. (Winnfield, La.) 1883-1910, 1903-05-29
4 NASTY night, Haskell"
By w. II. Boyce.

u NAoI1 AiSHt, udShcA.
"A / stepped down from my sea
in the cab of No. 277, and, with som
muttered reply to the greeting o
the round house foreman, passed GU
into the yard, thoroughly tired
hungry and irritable after my 120
mile run in the cab of the limited ex
press.
1t was one of those wild night
we sometimes, but not often, ge
during the month of November.
night "a The blacklist darkness, file,
with driving rain and frozen sleet
night of washouts, doubtful road
beds, delays and loss of time, to bs
followed by five-minute interview
with the division superintendent, 1
man of few words and much less con
sideration.
l had just brought in the limited
express some 20 minutes late, owing
to the icy condition of the rails, ane
] knew what to expect.
/ hurried along through the WIND
and rain, eager to get to my board.
ing house where warm supper and
dry clothes awaited me.
1 had just reached the house when
/ heard the sounds of hurried steps
coming down the street after me.
1 turned and glanced carelessly over
my shoulder and saw, by the flicker
ing light on the opposite corners,
that it was Nick, my fireman.
Were in for it this time, guess"
he exclaimed abruptly, as he cane
up the steps after me.
''Why, what's the trouble now?"
I asked, although I had a pretty
good idea of what was coming.
''Thc old mans down at the yard,
and he's cussing like trooper be-
cause you went off before he got q
chance to see you"
I'VE lost 20 minutes on that grade;
suppose that is what it MEANS"
be right down as soon as I eat my
supper and get into some dry clothes.
I'm drenched."
NO, it amt that" replied Nick
quickly. "The deuce is to pay some
where. We've got to pull out again
and catch the 9:45 into Hampton, and
she's gone nearly ten minutes now.
I've got % out and fired up. Shell
be blowing by the time we get back.
Come on"
I viii not state that 1 did not say
anything out of the way. But sup
per or no supper, together we hur-
ried back down to the yard, where l
found Henderson pacing up and down
in the storm and growing like .
hungry dog.
Can you catch that GAS before she
gets into Hampton?' he asked, as
soon as l came in sight.
Its doubtful" answered shortly.
s<She's been gone ten minutes al
ready"
'Oh, yes, you can" he insisted per-
sistently. There's nothing ahead Of
you-you have got a clear track I'M
Gil midnight"
4sWhy don't you telegraph" I
asked, wonderingly.
That's the trouble" he snarled.
THE wires are all down; 1 can't"
swell, I'll try it. What are the or
ders?'
knew that if we were to overtake
take the 9:45, there was no time to
be lost in asking idle questions. Be
sides, l was not in very good humor
at the sudden change from a warm
supper, dry clothes and shelter to a
wild night ride over an uncertain
road in the storm; and moreover,
had no very sincere liking for Jacob
Henderson, Esq.
want you to catch the 9:a5 be-
fore she gets into Hampton" he re-
peated insistently. "You can do it, il
you open her up and let her go.
When you overtake her give this note
to Conductor Davis, and if he gives
you anything to bring back, take it,
no matter what it is. I'll wait here
for you. How quick can you start?"
l thought that there was some
thing rather unusual about all this,
but it was not for me to question or
ders.
In about two minutes" / said,
promptly; lust as soon as I can
take in a little water. The tank is al
most empty"
'4Never mind the water" cried the
old man, impatiently. 81 want you to
get started. You have got enough
to run down with. You can take
some coming back"
This thoughtlessness on his part
nettled me a little and 1 retorted
rather sharply:
I'm running this engine, Mr.. Hen
derson. Ii you want me to overtake
the 9:45 it will take speed, and speed
takes steam and cannot make steam
without water. If you can, just step
up and take my place and do it."
He made no reply, but turned away
With something that sounded very
much like an oath, and felt that my
hasty reply had cost me my position,
FOR Henderson was a man that took
% words from any man on the road,
big or little.
With some regret l backed No. q
p beside the tank, and just as
Itopped under the pipe / saw some
ne step quickly out of the shadow Of
lhe tank and approach the engine.
- = n Al ~