| Show the limited mail by ELMER E VANCE A love story of steel rails CHAPTER VI continued compared to her kind bob murmured unintentionally aloud caroline belongs to another world the firemans foremans fi remans good natured chuckle rec recalled ailed bob to a realization of indiscreet loud thinking bob had to laugh a little too then turned suddenly with the fireman when both heard the commotion far down the siding the bradies have found a bo and are going to make him run the gauntlet lets see the fun exclaimed the fireman suiting the action to the word and starting for the scene of action on a dogtrot bob in his wake some luckless hobo tramps hiding place on the rods beneath a box car had been revealed by his shredded pants ends and tattered shoes which protruded from beneath the c car r his feet in turn protruding from the shoes four husky brakemen two to each leg were trying in vain to tug him out to a mournful accompaniment of frightened yelps and gasps in a muffled voice that sounded strangely familiar to bob weak from laughter the brakemen could do little but add to the misery of the fast stuck hobo so bob seeking quick confirmation of his amused suspicions took hold also and lead a count of one two three for a concerted final yank it worked so well that the helplessly laughing brakemen went down in a common heap with the fat pre bulk of vagabondage thus suddenly released professor potts yelled bob incredulous and delighted the tramp paused in the very act of a frantic scramble for freedom from the clutching hands of the hilarious brakemen he turned stared and then the pained rotund rotundity ty of his is face melted into proud and placid recognition of a friend at court my bly dear wilson illson and working I 1 need not tell you this with a nervous shrinking toward bob and away from the waving brake sticks the gauntlet instruments instrument of torture that in my great personal joy it at encountering entering so boon a friend again is iacre increased d by tile the protection obviously to be had in your position of 0 f authority 11 unashamed bob threw his arms around aroun d potts in a mutual demonstration of affection the brakemen grinning knowingly in remembrance of bobs pro pre railroad rail road days withdrew in deference to his signal that lie he wanted potts spared the ignominy and cruel punishment of the dreaded brake mans gauntlet arm ann in arm ann with potts bob strolled back toward his cab the whistle of the limited coming down the night breeze carried to both memories Inen lories of old days together and to potts reflections 5 it added a tinge of regret for he said ali ah my friend the end of my active ca career reer has come colne the professors patted his paunch wistfully for a moment before continuing then you remember spikes prediction that one day the increasing girth of my figure would interfere with my ridi ing that time has come bob no i longer can I 1 successfully ride my bo bc loved rods potts actions and lugubrious words word tickled bobs visibilities yet there was S so 50 much genuine pathos in potts manner that he refrained from laughter and preserved a sympathetic silence potts actually dashed a tear from his eye and stiffened his upper lip with a visible effort before concluding 1 I shall now retire to live in the so solace lace of natures sp asplend splendour lend here in the mountains beside the tracks I 1 love so well I 1 shall watch at the water tank on this siding for you day by lay day and always be glad for an opportunity to exchange with the philosophic salutations of gentlemen and scholars arid and now the limited draws near you will soon be on your I 1 way must be on mine at once to reach the spot I 1 have in mind therefore adieux adieu potts was S gone now into the underbrush with the precision if not the speed of a i jackrabbit Jack ak rabbit glowing mg with friendly feelings from the encounter and bob b sauntered to his cab paused at the step to watch the high jinks of the milling roistering party on the observation the platform of had bad passenger special bobs fireman the bra brakemen remained kenien behind to gossip with so bob was alone at abc the head of the freight freig ht the A calm calin quick nervous little scream split night air and seemed to snap sonie some tense thing looked inside bob he be wh whence ence it had come and observed turned a woman back wis was steadying herself by holding to tile the side of the observation one hand band car with she while with her other hand was ankle holding up and rubbing one which she had evidently turned the limited was 1 I close the tha now and woman voin tui being on oil tile the track side in a WT ws W T s precarious to her aid position 0 n bob raced to be continued |
