The Argosy, Vol. XI, No. 22 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

It certainly answered the purpose admirably, as the flag was thin and was fastened about the lamp in such a way that no folds overlapped. It gave forth a red glow equally as good as if it had had a colored globe. ‘‘ T see you are prepared for trouble,” ferring to the arrangement. ‘Faith, an’ we do have to be, for mony's a washout wez find whin the spring rains do be cooming ; and up in the mountains there be landslides, and what wid bad jints an’ loose bolts, we do find plinty to kape us from gittin’ rusty.” ‘‘] suppose so ; but it must be very lonely to walk the track twelve or fifteen miles every night, and very disagree- able in bad weather.” ‘Ver right, me boy; but it do have to be done, an’ only the best fellies are put to it,” was the response, with a touch of pride in his tones. Dash was much interested in the details of this other safe- guard of the traveler, which is rarely thought of, though it is as important as the train dispatcher himself ; and he told himself that if allof them took as much pride in their humble calling as Denny Googan seemed to, accidents would be rarer from breaks 1n roadbed or rail. Googan set his lamp down in the center of the track to signal the expected train, and proceeded to fill ashort, black pipe with tobacco chipped from an enormous plug. He had hardly got his pipe charged and fired, after many sounding puffs, such as only an Irishman knows how to give forth, when the train came in sight and whistled for a stop. Googan swung the signal across the track several times, and soon the iron horse was panting with suppressed energy and at a full stop within a few feet of them. They were quickly approached by the engineer, conductor and brake- man, to learn the cause of the stoppage. -- Dash and the track walker briefly made their reports, and the body of the tramp was lifted into the baggage car. Googan said he would complete his inspection and report at Deckerton in the morning in time to give his evidence at the inquest, while Dash was left in charge of the conductor. Though the latter showed no inclination to get away, the conductor and one of his brakemen watched Dash as if he was already a convicted felon. Inthe absence of any uni- form or cap, they were no doubt skeptical of that portion of his story about being on the Pacific Express and getting left. This treatment, by those from whom he expected to receive ready credence and sympathy, hurt Dash’s pride, and he maintained a dignified silence toward them. He was in the smoking car, and most of the men who were there were stretched about on the seats in different attitudes of repose, if notof rest. The air was close and redolent of stale tobacco smoke, and Dash wondered how the travelers could pretend to sleep in such an atmosphere. One of them could not, at least. He was an elderly man, with a pleasant face, who was in the seat back of the new- comer. ‘What place was that, young man ?” he inquired of Dash, as the train again got under way. “No place at all, sir. A man was found dead near the track, and they are taking him to the next station.” “Were you with him? Was he killed by the train?” “No. sir: I found him, and don't know what caused his death, unless it was too much whisky,” replied Dash, turning in his seat slightly to inspect his questioner. Encouraged by his appearance and manner, he thereupon related all the incidents of the night since he was left by No. 6. He concluded by saying : olbserved Dash, re- THE ARGOSY ‘‘Tam going to Deckerton to find out the cause of the man’s death, as the circumstances would seem to indicate that I knew something about it.’ ‘* Bless my soul! are we that near Deckerton ?” exclaimed the gentleman. ‘‘ lam going there myself. But don’t you be uneasy, young man. I ama physician, and if your story is straight, we will have no difficulty in soon determining what killed the man, and proving it.’ ‘But suppose it is revealed that he was really killed by somebody ?” suggested Dash. “ Of course that might make ita little disagreeable and uncomfortable for you ; but we won'e suppose it.” “Thank you, sir; but they will need my evidence at the inquest any way, won't they?” ‘* Not necessarily, 12 you have some one who can identify you and vouch for the correctness of your story.” Dash was about to reply that there was no one immediately accessible to do that service for him, when he thought of the young night operator at Deckerton. He then felt that it was a fortunate thing for him, as well as the passengers of No. 6, that he had detected the belated danger signal at Decker- ton that nicht. ‘The operator at Deckerton knows me,” he responded, not thinking it prudent to give the manner of making his ac- quaintance, unless necessary. “That will be sufficient, for I know him. est, manly little fellow ; mother.”’ Dash felt an increased satisfaction, upon hearing this state- ment, for having sInelded the operator from certain discharge. As the run to Deckerton was a short one, Dash had just finished his conversation with the doctor when they stopped at the station. Dash got out, closely followed by the conductor and his newly found friend, The body of the tramp was lifted from the bagwage car by the trainmen and placed in the station Waiting room, ‘* Here’s a man who was found dead near the track a few miles west of here,” explained the conductor to the aston- ished and much disturbed operator, who had come to the platform to receive the baggage and mail; ‘‘ and this young fellow seems to know a good deal about it. Tle ought to be held until the body 1s examined. Whom will I leave him with 2?” ‘TT don't know. There's no one here but me, and the con- stable lives over a mile away,” replied the operator. “ There’s no necessity for me to be held by any one. I intend to stay here for the investigation,” interposed Dash, indignantly and with spirit, though perhaps it was natural for the conductor to take the precaution under the circum- stances. “To can't hold my train here until you get the constable, so you will have to look out for him,” continued the con- duetor, as if he had not heard Dash’s words. ‘Tl be responsible for this young man,” doctor, who had been listening near by. “Oh, that’s so; you do stop here. I forgot. All right; I leave him in your charge,” and the conductor turned on his heel and signaled with his lamp to the engineer to go ahead, at the same time giving his cry ‘‘ All aboard,” though there was no one to get aboard at the lonely station. The engine gave two or three vigorous coughs, and soon the noise of the rattling train was dying away in the distance. ‘ He evidently doesn’t believe your story,” smiled the dow tor, as they moved toward the waiting room. “No; you would think he would have more charity toward one in the same business,” responded Dash bitterly. He is an hon- the only support of an invalid spoke up the ecoMmnlieooaks COLL