The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-12-10

wen, Mdiy, We just Uttu h6ui IA b
on our debts, aud find thai We are
almost clear, just this months work
and our home will be paid for, and
there are only five trips to make in
this month,
"Do you have to go tonight, John?'
inquired his wife, as she came to him
and looked lovingly into his eyes.
Il don't know dear, there is to be a
special tonight. No. 81 is to be taken
to Benton to bring the eacursionists
home. | don't care about going on
that trip; because the crowds are so
rough and besides the fireman for No.
81 is not able 10 go out and don't
course, if am sent for | will have to
go.
Hello. Who's that?' he inquired, as
he caught sight of someone coming
through the gate. A second glance
told him, ii was the caller You
are wanted" he said, ito take No 81
out at $3.50" The boy having deliver
ed this message was again on his way
to the depot
John Marshall looked at his watch,
it was now fifteen minutes past eight,
and he was TO start at $3.50; there
was no time to lose.
He hurriedly told his wife goodbye.
and started out; but, when he reached
the gaze he turned back, and drawing
his wife to h1m,he said. only five
trips more, Mary, then dear heart, |
will be in a position that | can afford
to give up railroading and await the
opening OF better position. Good
bye, dear, till tomorrow
Once again he kisses her and now
PUSHES to catch his train.
No. 81 is in readiness. and is stand
ing on the track steaming and puff
ing like faithful. Aut impatient
horse. who is anxiouSt TO get started
and get the journey completed
John went to the engine an dtook
his accustomed place. 1t was still
few minutes before time TO start. His
new fireman seemed TO be all that
was required. And together they
waited until he signal was given to
let her go
John was a faithful engineer. and
the managers of the road for which
he had worked so long, were wei
aware of this fact John had worked
SO long and faithfully for them that
they had begun to regard him as a
piece of their property, which could
not well be dispensed with. That is
why John had said he could afford to
wait for a better job. He knew he
was to be made assistant manager at
one Of the stations.
The signal was given for them to
start, and John pulled back the throt |
tie and the old engine rolled on her
way to bring back the long train of
tired excursionists who were at Bea
ton.
The road, straight level onc,
stretched out before hem
On, on, sped the engine, pas; town
farms and forests. They were 20
make only one switch and that was
at Delta. The incoming regular was
to wait there for them.
John looked a. his watch, in 10 min
utes they were to reach Delta, and the
regular was not to leave there for
fifteen minutes yet They had plenty
Of time.
But now they have passed the most
Of the straight road and are on a
large curve. which, when made would
bring them into Delta.
The curve Is just one half made,
when John. looking through the win
dow, saw the fash of light, his
l.eart seemed to stop beating. his
hands grew icy cold, and his head was
in a whirl. lie realized at the first
glance that there was danger, perhaps
death, in the light in front of them.
The operator at Delta had failed
to give the orders for the regular 10
wait, and they had rounded the curve.