Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 January 1890 — A RAILWAY ROMANCE. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A RAILWAY ROMANCE.

BY C. F. CARTER.

rH r-» I THIN the grimy \ v ' \/^/ corner that served ‘ \ A / i° r a ‘telegraph of- < iIA - I fi° e i n th® Warren Depot, one stormy November evening, a rosycheeked girl sat at a table receiving a message. Her A 71 finished, she tossed j/'X? | her pen aside, and, looking out at the dripping land-

scape, exclaimed impatiently: “Dear me, isn’t tips awful! I do <wish that poky old Ironsides would come and relieve me. It will soon be dark, and then how will I ever get home through those oceans of mud?” A solemn-looking young man, who had been furtively watching the operator’s every movement, shifted his elbow into a more comfortable position upon the high counter and declared that was a hard one. “Thank goodness,” resumed the girl, “I haven’t far to go. I’m glad I’m not a brakeman, obliged to be out in this storm all night. You don’t have to go

out to-night, do you, Mr. Dunlap?” “Yea, we’re marked out on number nine.” “That’s so; I remember taking the order, now. You’re to have the 242. That’s Jack Bronson’s engine, isn’t it?” “Yes,” was the reply, in such a dry tone that the operator turned with an amused smile and said: “I don’t believe you love your neighbor Bronson as yourself.” “Can’t say that I do,” replied the young man. Then, as though moved gulden (ftierator, and, | ?iustache| alI mean—l se . e J 0 trjbt that Jack ' Y you do me SUB •ai to myself, nla p. ” shid Y'lJ W. “Sbftte dh'4 BMSLe in. This ft so very- besides, -you know. I’m already Good-, evening, Mr. Bronson !* ‘ The door had suddenly opened, re-j vealing the astonished faces of J ack Bronson and Ironsides, the . night operator. “Charley,” said Ironsides, as he stepped in and shook the water from his dripping hat,, “I saw yer partner, Shdptw as I cutfie along, and he fold me to fell vou to. come down to the Votl • : Charley pulled his cap over his eyes and hprried. put A wild with mortification land despair. So they were ’ah ready engaged, were they ? ‘ He turned toward the river, with a vague notion of throwing himself into its turbid waters, but changed his mind and started back ‘to his way car. Beaching the car, he bolted in and flung himself upon a locker with a dismal groan. Shanty avas lying, upon his back on the opposite side x>fi the car, smoking vigorously. He was a man who never troubled himself about the affairs of others; but the conduct of his partner was so extraordinary - that he stopped smoking, raised hiniAe Won his elbow, and, after gazing;, a moment in speechless wonder, inquired: ■ * ’ *‘W’aTA the mtiWer ?” “No.” B what in thunder' does ail ye?” - <Are you a friend of mine?” asked impressively, suddenly starting up; Shanty’s only answer was a look of astonishment. “You see,” went *on Charley, “I told Dora I loved her —I mean—Jack Bronsdn—confound it, they’re goin’ to be married,** he concluded, in desper-

“ W ell —you—are a —dandy. ” drawled Shanty, in a tone of withering contempt. “D’ye mean to let that din-ner-table railroad man cut ve out like that?” “How can I help it?” “Lick him.” “Lick him! I’ll b eak him in two. But I’m afraid that won’t help the matter any.” Shanty was prevented from expressing his views upon this point by the entrance of the conductor with the announcement that it was leaving time. As soon as Ironsides made his tardv appearance Dora had encased herself in waterproof and rubbers, and, accompanied by Jack Bronson, started home. Jack was not at all pleased with the scene he had witnessed upon entering the telegraph office, and determined to intimate to Dora that the frequent presence of that brakeman in the telegraph office was very distasteful to him; but Dora prattled on so prettily that he hadn’t the heart to chide her. By the time they had reached the Cheney mansion and were seated before a bright fire, he had nearly made up his mind to let the matter go, when, by- a happy inspiration, he saw an easy way out of the difficulty. “Dora,” said he, suddenly, “will you marry me!” Dora was so startled by this abrupt question that she was unable to reply for a moment, and Jack, remembering the old adage that “silence gives consent,” concluded she was too much overcome with emotion to speak, and so put his arm around her waist reassuringly. “Mr. Bronson,” said Dora, rising to her feet, “I am very sorry. I never meant to encourage you to think we could ever be more than fiiends.” Jack was completely overwhelmed by this unexpected reply. He, too, rose to his feet. “I suppose from that that- some one

else has won your affections?” Dora made no reply. “Then” continued Jack, in the most sarcastic tone he could command, “I am sure I wish you much joy, but I must confess I am a little surprised at your choice.” And he walked majestically forth, slanimiug the door as he went, leaving Dora standing in the middle of the floor, speechless with indignation. Not until he had nearly reached the end of his rqn that night had Jack passed through successive stages of artger, disappointment and chagrin and recovered his usual complacency sufficiently to remark to his fireman': “I understand'; Jim,- thill l Dora Cheney is going"to irfiin’y £hat -'brakeman, •'Charley Dunliip.”. “That so?”. . . v .... “Y'es; pity to see; that? girl throw herself aw av oq such algoodrfor-nothing brute, ain’t it?” “That’s what it is.” “Somebody ought to tell old Cheney what’s, tip. He’d stob Mister Dunlap’s little game.’b , * / “Ye-ep.” ’ “I never did nave 1 any use for that Dunlap. If he ever crosses my path

I’ll drive him into the ground—notion to do it anyway.Qn general principles.” A week later a solitary figure /walking down the quietest of Warren’s quiet streets had his attention attracted by two persons coming out of the Methodht parsonage. One . lecogfliZdSWTwJft Chmy; the ’ether' was a well-dressed stranger, who improved the opportunity to press a kiss upon Dora’s unresisting lips as he assisted her into a waiting buggy. This proceeding so engrossed the attention of the solitary figure that he did not notice the rapid approach of a man from the opposite direction, equally intent as himself upon the scene across the street. There was a muffled thud, a mutual recoil, a glare of recognition, and

Charley Dunlap and Jack Bronson each instantly became serenely oblivious of the other’s existence. Lpon reaching Mrs. Johnson’s lioarding house rC'harley was met at the door by the landlady’s daughter, Angelina, her eyes sparkling with the complacent consciousness of interesting and exclusive gossip. “Oh. Charley,” she exclaimed eagerly. “what do yen think? Dora Cheney’s gone and married a drummer from Chicago. H®' s awful handsome, and his name is Harry, and they’ve been engaged ever so long—.say what makes ye look so funny?”

LICK HIM! I'LL BREAK HIM IN TWO!"

“GOOD EVENING, MR. BRONSON,"