Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1905-04-27
Brother sheridan's WARM Finish.

Brother Sheridan's Warm Finish.
Il was from the rear car Of one OF
the afternoon trains that crawl over
the road on the Delaware Division"
that the passengers Witnessed the
wonderful exhibition OF Brother
Sheridan's gait.
The car was filed with clergymen
returning from q Methodist Confer
ence "up the State" and as the
train neared the village at which
the junction of the Delaware Divis-
ion with another road was made.
speculation was rife as to the pro-
liability Of Brother Sheridan making
the very close connection. Brother
Sheridan. itseszned. had taken anoth-
er route. by which he had saved thsB
large sum Of twenty cents On bis
railroad tare.
His train arrived at it's station
half Q mile up the track simultane-
ously with the arrival of the train
that bore the body of the Methodist
Conference. The burning questions
Of the moments among the lawn tied
brethren were: What are Broth
er Sheridan's abilities as o sprin-
ter?" and will the conductor hold
the train?" A dark object that had
appeared upon the horizon was be-
lieved to be Brother Sheridan get
ting up steam.
The conductor, a grim soul Of
much firmness Of character, when
approached by the Conference, said
be would hold the train a minute or
so. but no longer.
Great was the excitement on the
rear platform when it could be seen
that the dark object was in truth
Brother Sheridan coming at q gallop.
His frock coat Inbuttoned, and, as
the brother from Princess Anne
observed. "You could play checkers
on the tail of it,
His high silk hat was on the back
of his head. none hand he carried his
suitcase, and with the other arm he
brandished his umbrella at the train.
He was over six feet tall and long
legged. He leaped over the ties
like jack-rabbit. often clearing two
or three at q jump.
He is all right, said the conduc-
tor. holding the watch on him, ''if
he can just keep up that gait. The
brethern on the platform waved
their hats and shouted encouraging
ly, but Brother Sheridan began to
lag. He dropped from q gallop into
trot. The conductor gazed at his
watch, and the Conference held it's
breath lest he give the signal to
start out.
"LOpe, brother, LOPEZ" shouted
the parson from Princess Anne,
making trumpet Of his hands.
Come onl come oni come onl
cried the excited Conference in chor-
US! Speed up there. Take to the
whip, brother"
Again Brother Sheridan's gait
changed. He has bent almost dou-
BILE, and no longer waved his um-
brella.
Hes pacing" exclaimed q little
man with a red beard.
His toe weights are not right for
that gait. Heinterferes. He ought
to wear boots" criticised brother
in steel-rimmed glasses.
Stir him up, commanded the con-
ductor. only a few seconds left. -
"Hiel hiel come on Brother Sheri-
dan. Just a squirt now and you re
in. Keep it upl shouted the Con.
ference wildly as it jumped up and
down, its sporting blood aroused.
Brother Sheridan could hear the
cries of encouragement, and be
gathered himself for q supreme
effort. He forced himself to the
highest speed, and the Conferences
shrieked with delight. But the
heartbreaking pace was too much
for him. He dropped into o trot-
then paced again. The conductor
lifted his arm to give the engineer
his signal. The voice of the broth.
er from Princess Anne rose 10 q
wall as he cried: Hes single
footing. He won't make it.
But he did make it. With the
last feeble remnant of his strength,
Brother Sheridan gripped the iron
rail and eager hands dragged him on
the platform just as the train began
to move. He dropped into the near.
est seat. his wilted shirt bosom
heaving as he struggled for breath.
Congratulations poured upon him
from every side for his magnificent
exhibition of speed and endurance.
You ran iikesKentucky thorough
bred, said one.
why don't you train for tho