Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1905-10-28
TANNING OE THE BEAR
BY HERBERT g. HAMBLEN
TcoNTINUED FROM LAST WEEK.


BY virtue of my Office as chief OF the
local division, was privileged to lead
the grand march at our annual ball. As
/ had no lady, Jack Burke, the floor
manager, promised to find me partner.
When he presented me to Miss Lily Ef-
fingham, was delighted, and not a lit
tie confused, Ito recognize my former
passenger. Explanations were impossi-
BILE, so I Just brazened it out. | was
shaved now, and logged up, so | was
more at ease than on our first meeting.
~
Miss Lily was splendid dancer, and a
bright and sensible girl. We became
quite good friends during the evening,
and she told me how pleased she had
been at seeing me back on the engine.
"How could you have seen meT' L
asked in surprise, for was certain had
not seen her since lay OH the baggage
car floor that day when she bathed my
wounds 50 tenderiiy.
"Why, 1 see You every day" she re-
piled; "you pass Uncle Ephrain's at
quarter past ten, and always see yon 60
by"
At ten fifteen l was due atthe top OF
heavy grade at Gregory's Mills. Colonel
Ephraim Gregory, our recently elected
Assemblyman, lived ON the summit OF
the hill. As chairman Of the railroad
mems Democratic club, l had worked
like Trojan for his election. ! had be-
come personally acquainted with him,
and knew him to be genial and hearty
old fellow. l had not seen him since his
election, for, the contest decided, l went
back to my engine, and forgot politics in
watching out for red flags.
us he with US this EVENING" | asked.
"Why, yes; haven't you seen him ?
There he is, with Mrs. Larrabee, lover
there"
We strolled over to where the Colonel
was entertaining the Superintendent
wife. Miss Lily was about to introduce
me, when he interrupted her with: 'Qh,
1 know Mr.. franklin. We are fellow
soldiers in the good cause. Mrs. LarraS
bee, permit me"
"Not necessary, Colonel; /, too, am
acquainted with Mr.. Franklin. Ilei one
of our engineers, you know. have rid
den great many miles behind him. !"
We formed party, in a corner, and
for one, passed a remarkably pleasant
evening.
"By-the-way, Mr.. Franklin" said the
Colonel, as we shook hands at parting.
81 want to see you about the expenses
of the club can't you run over to the
house some evening next week? We
are alone, Lily and |, and will try and
make it pleasant for you"
Iglanced at her inquiringly. Seconded
by her, the invitation would become
command to be obeyed.
"wednesday evening we will be at
home. Will that be convenient for you,
Mr.. Franklin ~ she said, with, l fancied,
slightly conscious flush OH her face.
n X n
On Wednesday evening, which was
perfectly convenient for me, the Colonel
met me at the door with cordial well
come. Miss Lily received me with gra-
cious hospitality in the large, old-fash-
Toned parlor.
"Ten fifteen became the most interest
ing moment in the whole twenty-four-
hours to me now. l never missed the
futter of a dainty handkerchief at the
corner window of tine old mansion, nor
failed to return the signal. As l had to
pound her pretty hard to get up the
grade, the fireman was too busy to see
what was going on.
Early the hext fall it was rumored
about that our superintendent Of motive
power was about to leave, and that the
master mechanic of the middle division
was to get bis place. That would leave a
fdCdlSy iOI HldeScl uiCCbdhlC' IisCIo
would be no lack OF candidates, and the
best hustler would get it. | had no hest
tation in invoking the Colonel's aid.
Here was chance, if he wished to do
something for me.
He asked me but one question /: ''Are
you competent to fill the proposition?"
"Undoubtedly," I.replied; otherwise l
would not have asked for your assist
ance."
He told me to leave the matter to him,
and to keep perfectly "mum."
When the change was finally made,
several persons who had confidently as
serted themselves as being sure of the ap-
pointment we're wonderfully taken aback
by the unexpected promotion of Joe
Franklin.
Three months later, with Lily's per-
mission, tackled the Colonel. He ad-
mitted that he had been expecting it,
and was not displeased; but, Joe," said
he, laying both hands on my shoulders,
and looking me squarely in the eyes, II
want you to prove yourself Come to me
a year from the day you were promoted,
and if you still hold your position, she
is yours"
thought the terms hard, but railroad
men learn to wait long and be patient.
With Lily's help and encouragement the
nine months passed,-it doesn't seem
long now,-and the old gentleman proved
that he was as good as his word.
We had been married week before l
was able to muster courage to ask what
she thought of me that day on the en-
CINE.
81 thought" said she, with bewilch-
ing pout, ''that you were the crossest
bear had ever seen, AMI that should
dearly like tohaye the tanning Of YOU
FWhat about Allison ?'
"Allison, who is he?"
t0rhat red headed fireman -