The Washington times., 1905-07-02

about his eyes, upon the awful tumble
of rock, sagebrush and sky without A
hoarse sound came from somewhere
overhead. fierce as the growi of an erraged
lion. Turning he saw the pointer quiv-
ering backward as the great hands
dropped from the biting lever. TIE ex-
ultant spirit OF the true runner filled
Johns brain completely Dawn, the
sharp black and white of high altitude,
broke. Around the nearly closed front
car door poured the keen rush of the
morning wind; then, as the flying ma
chine rocked in lone sweeping curves.
to catch his left ear in the high, sweet
notes os a fife. There are upon earth
but two places where the sons OF the
red rose can hear the very words of the
head of their clan-high In the corsage
of a struggling, storm-tcssed ship. and
fighting time and schedule through the
clipping hollows of mountain road. How
the fife speaks then of the empty naueht
of life and the sweet nearness OF death,
AS the speed slackened upon the heavy
grade John noticed an odd nain IN MS
knees. To his surprise he found that 1t
was owing to the fast clutch OF his
heels against his seat. On a curve at
top of the hill he turned q laughing face
back to Howe. To his surprise he re-
ceived no response from the strained,
| anxious countenance thrust from the
cupola window. On the contrary, the
lips seemed framing unprintable adjec-
tives. Ft.c over mile down the nine
| mile grade he kept her open. Then, to
Howe's relief, a cloud of biz ok smoke
trafls seemingly rigid as an iron bar
against his face
Wonder how he came to do it-nust
have fallen off the seat box" he growi-
ed to his brakeman.
Over on the engine the fireman swept
| the deck with an air of f1nality; then
| seated himself, head we'll inside, to
enjoy his vel, earned rest Half way
down little mountain hamlet sprang
| from ahead. On the side track leaning
| against the pilot Of a waiting train
| were grouped three men. Spread before
| them were the savory remnants of
| three baskets. On a shovel of hot
coal coffee pot sizzles merrily
| Two minutes before bLcIy old Jube
| Smith, the engineer, growIed as he
raised steaming cup to his mouth
| II would like to have the hanging of
| chat ornament IN Red Canyon Office.
Lam the life out of an engine to clear his
| special, then let's her lie here until
| they gets good and ready TO loaf down
| the mountain. I wish Here the
words died upon the grumbling lips.
the lineup remained for brief second
poised in a petrified hand Around the
point swept with cyclone fury a great
| towering engine. AS she took the in
side curve leading up to the switch
the number plate. glowing red under
I the flashing of the lancelike headlight,
now collecting the first direct rays of
the sun. the side rods were as a mist
Of steel against the giant drivers.
| Look out.' yelled old Jube, as ne
tufnbled down the dump. catching as he
| fell glimpses of merry boyish face
In the flying cab Quickly gaining the
track, he found his companions gazing
with Justified eyes after mere speck
ahead of billow of sand. rapidly
| dwindling In the distance.
" -
"How Is that for loafing," grinned the
brakeman.
THAT fellow was running 100 miles
an hour and seemed to be enjoying 1t,
roared Smith who was it?" He
| looked rueful1y toward the empty, over
| turned baskets.
why. it was that big deacon-like fell
lew who has fired for Brady
Just promoted yesterday added the
fireman. Lord. what will he be in a
week2' commented Smith, as he pulled
himself to the deck.
To John the scattering breakfast
party was a thing Of laughable merri-
nient Turning to catch Howe's eye he
was surprised to see the cupola de-
serted.
Eating breakfast" he thought
At the foot of the biIl as he swooped
ter the bouncing caboose in perplexed
horror. Sure 1t must be the devil
himself" he thought.
Snyder was a water stop. John
reached for the nearest oil can. blew
down the spout, repeated the process
with the other: tlssn as he brought the
train to stop, swung to the ground,
both in hand.
A quick survey showed all to be in
fine condition. but an ominous silence
hung over the eaboose.
Wondering at the strangeness of 1t,
John muttered. as he cuffed the bar
ahead. Must be figuring on sending
me back to the cornfieid."
The fireman here threw the tank
spout UP, and stumbling down over the
coal. drew out his watch, and making
a mental calculation on its dial with
his thumb nail. said:
" "
Just as many minutes as miles Give
IL to her. I'll do my part
In distant Red Canyon Mr. Sampson
watched the dispatcher pen, deftIy,
Engine so6. Snyder. 5:02' Not by
snyder's?" gasped the astonished off,
cial- Yes, and going to Black River
3 on time. He is over the worst of the
2 road But, say, how a green man can
{ make such a run is beyond me. Who
5 did he fire for?" Brady" answered the
I superintendent. Il might have known
' it. Men like him turn out good cubs. "
returned the dispatcher. slapping his
r hand heavily on the sheet
: Meanwhile, out through ruddy morn
ing sun waves dashed the flying train
S wind-splitting thing OF fuzzled rods
/ trailing smoke, bowing and twisting