The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1913-01-30
A Flight
By CAROL II. PIERCE


engineer my most interesting episod,
was when 1 was driving an express OF
the R. L. and G.. railroad. / was sit
ting on the cab seat one day waiting
for a signal to pull out when l saw a
young couple come running down
through an alley that led straight Il
the engine. The train was 4 long one
and where they came up were not
very likely to be seen beyond the bag
gage and express cars. The man car
ried suit case and the woman a hand
bag. On reaching the platform he dart
ed glance back where persons were
getting into the train, then, looking up
at me, said hurriedly:
Say, engineer, will you let us ride
with you awhile?"
Couldn't It's contrary to positive
orders"
Would a hundred dollars repay you
for the risk you would rung"
NO, nor a thousand"
He looked mighty crestfallen, cast.
ing glances 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 wo-
man 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 trumped up charge
We've just been married, and Henry is
trying to get me out of the old villains
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
l told them to go round to the other
side Of the engine, where they were
much less likely to be seen. They did
80, and the fellow said:
IF you'll take US in we'll get Off at
the first stop you make. If we are
captured my wife's guardian will have
her arrested. II we can get beyond |
the state line he'll have to get requisi- |
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 fdgeting about as
though he was standing on hot iron. |
Before any Of us could say more the
signal came. I tipped an imaginary
cent. Heads l do, tails l don't" and
it came down heads" By this /
mean to describe that mental process
by which a man will make up his
mind In hurry on a subject the two
sides of which are drawing him eager
ly. My heart favored the couple; my
orders told me to refuse them.
Really" l said. I'D like to favor
a young couple like you. but If 1 do the
chances are that I'll get myself dis
and then whatll do?'
"YOu can just draw on me-" said the
groom, "till you get another job"
/ didn't count on this at all, but my
mind was already made up, and there
was no use putting them off any longer.
l put out hand to the girl, lifted
her into the cab, and the man climbed
nimbly up behind her. They sat right
Down on the floor with their backs
against the seat l opened the throt-
lie, and we began to roll slowly on
he rails. The two youngsters were
20 pleased that they Rugged each other.
You stay just where you are down
IN the floor there. IL any one should l
zee you and report me for allowing i
vou to ride in my cab it would go
hard with me-"
Wont you let me pay you some. ,
hing for the risk you are taking?"
lsked the groom.
Not bit Of 1t. The only excuse | |
lave for taking you on is the kindness /
II my heart excited by your story. i
lont care to put myself in worse c
jeopardy by taking bride"
/ made very few stops, the first be-
ng half an hour out, where there was
draw bridge, and all trains were re-
Iuired to stop before going over 1t. l
old the young fellow about 1t and sug- b
'ested that it would be a good place
or him and his wife to leave the train. 7
lie asked me lot Of questions about l.
he location and whether there was
behind which they could
hulk till the train passed on. l told
i'm that there were houses lining a
aved street beside the track. l would
ull up beside one Of them. the couple b
ould get off and make dash for the
ear yard. but they must lose no time,
or, If any one interested in capturing
hem should come out on the train as .
DON as 1t stopped he would be looking
ut for them In case they should
eavei 1t.
Well, when we came to the bridge I S
ulled up where the couple could make t
bee line through a narrow space be- b
ween two houses. Before getting v
own the girl threw her arms about
ny neck and gave me a kiss. Then ;,
be jumped and was caught by her
usband, and within ten seconds they y
yere out Of sight u
Just as l was about to start I got a
lgnal to hold on, and in a few minutes :,
be conductor came forward with a "
Unstable and asked IL l had seen a
Dung man and woman leave the train, =.
dding that they were a pair Of crooks.
18th suit case full Of stolen jewels.