Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-11-08

where's Baker,
"He went home on the Clio. lie
lives up at Carson, you know"
This was the first stop on the NJ. and
W. east of Buckhorn.
Why did you let him leave? Dc
you mean to say that he's been loaf.
ing around here all day with his hands
In his pockets? He'll never pull an.
other throttle for the Huckleberry!''
Durks did not attempt to reply to
this explosion of wrath.
Who made up the train?" demand.
ed Dan.
Baker did-him and his fireman. !
didn't know but the freight might come
up from Parker's Run. and l wanted
to be fixed for 'em. 1 couldn't do a
thing with Baker. l told him his or
ders were to try and reach Antioch
with the relief train, but he said he
didn't care who gave the order, be
wasn't going to risk his life"
But Dan had lost interest in Baker.
Look here be cried. You must
get a fireman for me, and Ill take out
the train myself"
He wondered why he had not thought
Of this before.
Il guess Ill manage to reach Anti.
och," he added as he ran across to the
siding and swung himself into the cab
A faded blue blouse and a pair of
greasy overalls We're lying on the seat
In the cab. He removed his coat and
vest and put them on. Durks, who had
followed him, climbed up on the steps.
You'll have to run slow, Mr.. Oakley,
because it's likely the heat has spread
the rails, if it amt twisted them loose
from the ties" he volunteered. For
answer Oakley thrust a shovel into his
hands.
Here, throw in some COAL" he or.
dered, opening the furnace door.
Durks turned a sickly. notified white.
II can't leave" he gasped.
"You idiot. You don't suppose I'd
you to do is to help me get up steam
The operator attacked the coal on
the tender vigorously. He felt an i'm,
mense sense of comfort.
Dams railroad experience covered
nearly every branch. So it CHANGED
that he had fred for a year prior to
taking an Office position. Indeed, his
first ambition had been to be an en-.
gineer. 1t was now quite dark. and
the fires being raked down, he lit q
torch and inspected his engine with a
comprehensive eye. Next he probel
a two foot oiler into the rods and Dear
1ngs and filed the cups. He found &
certain pleasure in the fact that the
lore of the craft to which he had once
aspired was still fresh in his mind.
Baker keeps her in apple pie order
joe" he observed %approvingly. The
operator nodded.
Hes always tinkering."
well, he's done tinkering for US un,
less l land in a ditch tonight, with the
tender on top of me-"
A purring sound issued from the
squat throat of the engine. 1t was
sending aloft wreaths of light gray
smoke and softly splitting redhot Gin.
ders.
Dan climbed upon the tender and in
spected the tank. Last Of all he went
forward and lit the headlight, and his
preparations were complete. He jump
ed down from the cab and stood be
side Joe Oh the platform.
"Now,'' he said cheerfully. where's
that fireman. Joe%"
Hes gone home. Mr.. Oakley He
lives at Carson, too. same as Baker
faltered the operator.
Then there's another man whose
services we won't require in future
Well have to find some one else"
Il don't think you can" ventuIe
Durks reluctantly. Instinct told h.N
that this opinion would not tend TO in
crease his popularity with Oakley
"Why not
"They just won't want TO GO
do you mean to tell me that they
will allow Antioch to burn and not lf
a hand to save the town." he demand
ed sternly.
He couldn't believe it.
We'll, you see. there won't any on
here want to get killed. and they vii
think they got enough trouble of thei
WI to keep them home"
W can go uptown and see If W,
can't find a man who thinks Of NOR,
than his own skin" said Dan.
"Oh, yes; we car try" agreed Durk
alphabetically. but his tone implied al
mistaken conviction that the searcl
would prove q fruitless one.
Cant you think Of any one VIII,
would like to make the trip" Durk
was thoughtful. He thanked his luck,
stars that the NJ. and w. paid half hi
salary. At last he said:
mo. ! can't, Mr.. Oakley"
There was a sound like the crunchin,
OF cinders underfoot on the other sid
OF the freight car near where the,
were standing. but neither Durks no
Oakley heard il. The operators jaw
worked steadily 10 quiet animal enjoy
mcnt OF their task He was still can
yassipg the functions adult male poI
ulation for the individual 10 whom liz
had becom" sufficiently burdepsom
for Oakley's purpose. Dan was gain
down Tie track AZ the red blur IN ~