He "took the world easy," and occasionally tippled; and if any one remonstrated, he would give one of his brightest smiles, and reply, in such a good-natured way that the friend would think he had over-estimated the danger: "Thank you.

I'm all right.

Don't you worry." One evening there was a heavy snowstorm, and his train was delayed.
Joe complained of extra duties because of the storm, and slyly sipped occasional draughts from a flat bottle.

Soon he became quite jolly; but the conductor and engineer of the train were both vigilant and anxious.
Between two stations the train came to a quick halt.

The engine had blown out its cylinder head, and an express was due in a few minutes upon the same track.