Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-04-25

YORKVIII
false colors. But there was no a1terna-
tive. obeyed, not without trepidation,
since the adventure promised to be
most temerarious, and took my seat on
the side where there seemed to be the
least amount of machinery. The fire.
man was shoveling coal into the boiler
in frenzied haste, but he desisted at a
shout from his superior.
"Johnnie, hand me down that oil can
lively nowl"
The article In demand was quickly
Forthcoming, and I leaned out Of the
window to see what was to be done.
There was no one on my side of the
huge machine, but even as looked the
station agent ran around from the rear,
lifted the lid Of an iron box projecting
beyond one of the wheels, poured q
handful of sand into the receptacle, and
disappeared as quickly as he had come.
It struck me at the time as being q
singular proceeding, but while was
still speculating upon It's probable util-
ity the great locomotive lunged for
ward, and the chase recommended.
For the first mile the onrush Of the
huge iron monster was pleasantly ex-
hilarating, but before many minutes
had passed began to wish myself. first
In my cozy study, and little later any
where in the universe so I might be
safely out Of the mass Of shrieking ma
chinery hurled onward faster and faster
and ever faster by the SCOT begrimed
maniac, who seemed bent on accom-
plishing not only his own destruc-
tion, but that of the unfortunate fire.
man and myself as well. It was hid
eous experience.
When the uproar was most deafening,
and the promise Of speedy deliverance
by death seemed each instant about to
be fulfilled, CHANGED to look outward
and backward and my horror was in
creased tenfold by the appalling sight
Of flames bursting apparently from one
Of the fast flying wheels. At the immi-
nent risk of my life got upon my feet
and crept across to the side Of the mad
man.
"Sir," said I, shouting at the top Of
my voice, 1--WE are about to be consum-
ed. This locomotive Is afirel'
Thrusting me aside. he craned his
neck out of the window which had Late
" been mine. sprang back with an oath.
which resounded above the din Of the
machinery, and brought the shudder-
ing monster to stand. Then he leaped
to the ground. yelling frantic orders
to the fireman.
bucket of waterl Quick. you imp
Of hades! That's it. More-more yet.
Now get your tools and pack this box.
Lively! Get a novel Here, give me
that hook! Now then! More wastel
More gilmore yeti
The conhagration was staid at
length. and once more the terrible race
was resumed. Five miles farther on the
flaming wheel stopped Us again, and
when this had occurred third and
fourth time began to suspect that the
handful of sand was in some manner
accountable for it. Yet dared not for
my life go much as suggest this to the
infuriated blackamoor. whose wrath
mounted higher and grew more ungov-
ernable with each fresh hindrance.
More than once we came in sight Of the
train ahead, but as often as we did 30
the smoking machinery brought us to a
stand. evoking new and more dreadful
maledictions from the madman. curs-
ings measured only by the comparative
meagerness of his vocabulary.
Fortunately for my sanity. which
was fast lapsing in the struggle for out
ward calm. the end came at length. and
I stepped down from the kissing mon
ster at the Lavarock platform. thank
ful to my finger tips that was yet in
the land of the living. We arrived but
a few moments behind the train. and
caught q. glimpse Of my young scape-
grace in earnest consultation with the
agent, Hardwicke. as I passed the cab
stand.
Iwalked into the hotel waiting room.
meaning to go to supper with the other
passengers, but was not to escape 80
easily. It seems that Hardwicke,
whether from malice or misunderstand-
ing have never been able to learn.
made haste to tell the angry father
that I was the clergyman who was to
marry the runaways. IF had known
this at the time. I might have been
more charitable. Truly, it must have
been little less than maddening to re-
fleet that he had unwittingly furthered
the plans of the young fugitives by
bringing me to Lavarock. But os this I
knew nothing at the time, and when
he shouldered through the throng in the
waiting room and grasped my arm
roughly was. pardonably annoyed.
$50 you re the helper on this job. are
your" he shouted, and all and sundry
gaped to look and listen. "Nice busi-
ness for a man Of your age and minis
ter Of the gospel, marrying runaway
childrenl Worked me by setting up for
Catholic priest, too, didn't your By
heaven, sir. if I'd known it. I'd have
pitched you out Of the cab window neck
and heels minister or no minister.
"You are the most unreasonable per.
son I have ever had the misfortune to
meet, sir" said 1, looking him fairly
in the eyes, II had no intention Of de-
ceiving YOU
"Intentions be hangedl" he clustered.
"What the deuce do you suppose / care
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