The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1915-06-11

Here's where 7 get off" he said.
Il suppose Burton was a guest OF
the state for a term, pursued the ex-
railroad man, also rising.
NO, he wasn't" denied the super
intendent, putting on his overcoat.
The old man and Tom axed it up be-
tween them to keep the matter quiet
and give Burton another chance.
HE wrote to d friend Of his some
where out West that he wanted Ed
placed, and In a week or so Ed packed
up his wife and baby and followed
the letter. 1 never heard of him aft
er that. Well, good-by; I'm glad to
have met you"
Same to you. Guess I'll 60 to bed"
returned the ex-railroad man, follow
ing him out into the passage.
The superintendent descended to
the platform and walked toward the
tall frame building that housed the
division headquarters. At the foot
of the long stair he halted a moment
and looked at the big mogul that was
standing on a siding attached to a
long train Of all sorts and conditions
that made up No. IS, then turned and
climbed to the office on the second
floor.
mo. So going to get out on timer
he asked of the night dispatcher, who
was bending over the train sheet at
the long instrument table.
She's following No. 3 out On time,
but l don't know how long she'll stay
that way, with a green fireman trying
to feed that ten-wheeler. Kelly says
Gordon's kicking like a bay steer at
the M. M. for turning his engine into
a family kindergarten, and | don't
blame him much, for John Sharkey
was a good man and had been with
Gordon going on three years.
Kelly says it's open gossip at the
roundhouse that the old man let
Sharky out just to make a place for
his brother"
81 can't say as to that" officials
can be supremacy noncommittal at
times. Better give IS a slow-up OF
der past Camden; there's two cars OF
dynamite on the siding there" he con.
cluded as he passed into his Office
No. 3 stopped at Camden LONG
enough to permit the portly gentleman
to alight from the rear Pullman, and
then her red taillights we're blinking
away like two baleful eyes in the dis
lance. The portly gentleman looked
up at the darkened station, down the
siding at the dim outlines Of two boz
cars. then scanned with a quick turr
, Of his head the few scattered houses
that had managed to get close enough
together on the hill behind the sta
/, ton to call themselves a town.
{ He picked up his grip and started
toward them, when he noticed a darl
/. form skulking in the shadow Of the
Z building. He was well able to take
3 a r of himself, but he felt curious t
n know what the fellow was up to.
Hastily c%rouching at the end Of thu
h high platform, he saw a man stea
d down to the track, cast a furtiv
glance about him. and then move cat
tiously to the switch-stand, where b
o deliberately smashed the lock with
c%oupling-pin.
He had thrown the switch and wa
turning the light so that q whit
S CLEAN Gickered to the rails, when tn
portly gentleman leaped upon hir
and pinioned his arms in a powerful
e grasp.
The portly gentleman pushed hiI
d backward to the edge of the platform
n where he lay moaning. He sat u
presently and looked at his captor.
o 81 must have been mad to think
n. such a thing" he said brokenly, wit
K a helpless wave Of his hand towar
ID the hill. 1--WE been shaving for fN
In long years to make good to that Ii
st tie woman up there who believed
m me, and then to get showed out
1t make room for the old mans rel
tions-I-it-oh, you can't unde
stand And now-now, ! suppose l
have to go over the road for IT,"
ne The strong arm that held him
its viselike grip now stole gent
I'M across his shoulders, and the vol
er that spoke was unsteady with EN-
at ton.
,. "oh, yes, / do, my boy. l know
I'm about It, and l guess the only roi
ng you'll go over will be the Transcon
up mental, when you go back West wi
ed me. l have some mines out there, al
IN a few miles Of railroad that are
I'm my own. 1 guess we can find a pla
his for you where you can make good,
so right. I'm visiting some friends he
ing for a few days, and we can get
-eh gether and talk it over"
The long, wailing shrek Of a 10
motive was heard far down the ira
the and the trembling CLEAN Of a he.
1t light transformed the rails into &
AS tening ribbons Of steel.
ose Get down there quick and fix Il
had switch, and then wen go and find
ind little woman"
an MY names John Sharkey," said
man, as they moved slowly toward
hen hill. May / ask yours?"
ak "Burton " said tha othar ehortlv