The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1914-12-29
CHAPTER XXI.
Light Engine.

Toward the close of that summers
day it was the whim of that arch-man-
aSer of theatricals whom men call
Fate to stage an anticlmaX in the
midst of a vast and hilly expanse Of
desolate middle western country-a
rude and rugged disk of earth which
boasted no human tenancy within
circle OF its far-hung horizon and was
bisected, not neatly. rather irregular
ly, by the flowing double line of steel
ribbons which marked the railroads
right OF way over the old Santa Fe
trail
So much for the stage: the light ef-
fects were provided exclusively by the
crimson and purple and gold of por-
tentous sunset; the properties en-
ployed were simply special train and
what is known as light engine (mean-
ing locomotive unhandicapped by
cars); audience there was none, il one
except the actors-who we're one and
all far too deeply preoccupied with the
Interpretation OF their several roles
to be aware Of the show.
They were not many In number:
cial train-which was making away as
fast as 1t could run toward the glory
OF the sunset; as many more aboard
the light engine.
1t was the engineer who started the
trouble. After bringing his monster
to full pause, he TUNED upon his
passengers and-not without plausible
excuse-violently indicted Mr.. Alan
Law for abuse Of his and his fire.
mans trustfulness. This the said fire.
man climbing forward over the ten
der) vigorously applauded.
They had been engaged, both gentle
men asserted vigorously, for nothing
more dangerous than quick run
across the prairies, in furtherance of
the unspecibed plans of Mr.. Alan Law
and his companion, Miss Judith Trine.
After starting out, they had wickedly
and maliciously been bribed by the
said Law to put on speed and catch UP
with the special, in order that he might
rescue from the latter young woman,
his bride-to-be and the sister of Miss
Trine.
But-and here was the grievance
they hadn't bargained to be shot at
with pistols. And precisely that out.
rage had been put upon them during
and subsequent to the moment of res
cue.
1t was unhappy Mr.. Barcus who pre-
cipitated the affair. This gentleman
was suffering from a severe sprain to
his sense OF decent pride. In the serv-
Ice or Miss Rose Trine and her be-
trothed, Mr.. Law, Barcus had black.
ened his face and hands to the hue of
ebony and had garmented himself in
the garb Of Pullman porter, surren-
dering himself to humiliating service
to those aboard the special, suffering
their insolence and scorn without
murmur, but with the tides Of wrath
mounting ever higher in his bosom.
And now, when at length he had
won his freedom from that ignomini-
GUS servitude, 1t was only to be sworn
at and VIZ fed. as q common niger, by
railroad h snds!
II was the fireman Ito be just) who
brought the row to focus by a slight.
ing reference to that "shiftless and
misbegotten dinge."
He repented quite promptly. Mr..
Barcus jumped for his throat with q
below OF rage. The brakeman leapec
for his shovel and brandished 1t threat.
Mr.. Barcus made nothing OF |
that he closed In without hesitation
and got the fireman by the throat, pro-
ceeding to shake the breath out of his