The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1913-01-30
THE FLIGHT
Weekly Short Story.


was when was driving an express OF
the X. l.. & G. railroad was sittin,
on the cab seat one day waiting for {
signal to pull out when saw youni
couple come running down through ar
alley that led straight to the engine
The train was q long one and where
they came up were not very likely Il
be seen beyond the baggage and ex-
press cars. The man carried suit
case and the woman hand bag. On
reaching the platform ne darted a
glance back where persons were get.
ting into the train, then. looking up
at me, said hurriedly:
Say, engineer, will you let us ride
with you while?"
Couldn't It's contrary to positive
orders"
would hundred dollars repay you
for the risk you would rum
| "No, nor a thousand"
| He looked mighty crestfallen, cast
ing gances back among the crowds of
persons who had come to see friends
on their journeys. He didn't seem to
know what to do Then the young
woman took up the matter.
"Oh, do please let us ride on your
engine. My uncle is down there look
ing for me. He's my guardian, and, in
order to get my property, is trying to
shut me up on u trumped up charge.
We've just been married, and Henry
is trying to get me out of the old VIII
lain's clutches. He will not suppose
us to be on the locomotive and so we
can escape"
She pleaded SO passionately that she
quite upset me. In order to gain time
told them to go around to the other
side Of the engine, where they were
much less likely to be seen. They did
so, and the fellow said:
IF you'll take US in well get off at
the first stop you make. If we are
captured my wife's guardian will have
her arrested. If we can get beyond
the state line he'll have to get reauisi-
ton papers, and that will give me
time to get lawyer
Meanwhile the pretty young wife
was looking up at me appealingly
through tear dimmed eyes, while her
husband was fidgeting about as
lhough he was standing on hot iron.
Before any of us could say more the
signal came. I filipped an imaginary
sent. Heads do, tails | don't. and
1t came down heads" BY this 7
mean to describe that mental process
by which a man will make up his mind
N hurry on subject the two sides |
II which are drawing him eagerly. NV
heart favored the couple; my orders
told me to refuse them.
Really" l said, I'D like to favor
young couple like you, but if | do
he chances are that I'll get myself
discharged and then whatn do?"
You can just draw on me-" said
he groom, till you get another Job"
didn't count on this at all, but my
mind was already made up, and there
vas no use putting them off any long
put out hand to the girl, lifted
er into the cab, and the man climbed
imbly up behind her They sat right
own on the floor with their backs {
gainst the seat. I opened the throttle
nd we began to roll slowly on the /.
ails. The two youngsters were so q
leased that they Rugged each other
You stay just where you are down {
the floor there. If any one should <
70 you and report me for allowing :
Oh to ride in my cab 1t would 20 hard S
18th me-" I
wont you let me pay you some +
ing for the risk you are taking? =
'ked the groom
Not bit Of It, The only excuse ! s
I'VE for taking you on is the kindness
my heart excited by your story. 81
mt care to put myself In worse :
opardy by taking bribe." Y
! made very few stops, the first be- 8
y half an hour out. where there was q,
draw bridge and all trains were re- W
ired to stop before going over It. |
Id the young fellow about It and
ggested that 1t would be a good
ice for him and his wife to leave -
train. He asked me lot of cues N
ms about the location and whether