Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1849-07-13

"Coke, JeTries, cokel More steam. more
the gentleman must have more sleaml NeveI
mind lel-sleam-steam!"
] was startled by this burst, 50 was JsiFries
as found the sIoker was called. He hesilat
ed.
"Coke-cokel" shouted Weslhorpe. "B,
the heaven above US there, do your duty, OF
over you 90 on the railsl"
Theman still fingered with the spade in hi,
hand. Wes'horpe kicked open the door.
heard the roar Of the fierce fire above the how
OF what appeared to be the tornado we were
slemming.
interposed.
81 think we are getting over the ground very
WE'LL" falIered.
Jefierles made motion, as much as to say
''Ihere you see''
"You don't won't to go quickerl" said Wes.
thorpe, speaking low and very fast.
] shook my head.
swell, dol" roared the excited man. Coke,
Jefferes, cokep
And he struck violent blow with his clench.
ed fist. For a moment | stood supplied.
would have given all the world to have been left
safe and sound on the drearest spot of the drea.
ry common we we're passing. Jsheries, with.
out a word, took up the spade, and threw the
black masses into the fire, which cracked and
roared again. By its glare, as he stopped,
saw that under its mask Of smut, his face was
deadly pale.
And still on, on! The engine appeared to
fly. The quarter milestones seemed to sheo
by us as quickly as the telegraph poles quar-.
ter ofan hour ago, and the sway was terrific.
"Music!" shouted Westhorpe, Emusic! wen
have music! Here's my boiling wafer organ!'
And as he spoke, he set on the steam-whistei
its scream went through and through my brain.
The stoker looked al me. | saw ne was trying
to catch my eye, and the expression Of his face
was one Of CONSERVATION and horror. All al
once the horrible whistle ceased.
sit might give warning" Westhorpe mutter.
ed; sand besides it's wasting steam."
| shuddered. Suddenly the driver turned
from the engine, and stepped to the tender
gazing long and anxiously back. JefTeries took
advantage of the motion, and cutched me BY
the arm.
"Hush!" he said breathlessly.
"What is the matter with the man!'' said.
"Hush! He is mad. thought so these
two days"
Mad feltthe cold sweat brake out at eve.
ry pore. A minute with a mad driver! Ny
flesh crept, and got sick and faint.
"We must master him between u.s." gasped
Jeferies.
"We can," said, "ts our only chance
Come on"
The words were hardly uttered ere Wes
thorpe sprung--bounded round.
81 heard you" he shouted; 81 did. Treach.
cry, treachery!--two TO one! But come, come
come"
There was a moments pause; not one of us
stirred. Then saw Jefferie's hand gliding
towards a heavy hammer which lay close to
him. The maniac, for such he was, glared
from one to the other ofus. could not fix his
eye, but | felt that he watched my every move
ment. gasped for breath. Jeferies' hand
was close TO the hammer, when, with a yell
which rung high into air amid the thunder oI
our onward pace, Westhorpe flung himself up
on the stoker. He had observed this manoevre
" Rdlu pUSS6SSlOu VI tIlG
"You would, would you!" the mailman growl
ed out between his cenched teeth-"then take
it!'' He flung his arm around the wretcheC
man, who catched colvulsively at any objec
within his grasp.
"Save mel'' he screamed; "save me, fol
dear Gods sake!''
But was paralyzed. With one superhumar
effort Westhorpe tore the wretch from his
crouching position, and with limbs which ap'
peared to work and swell with iron muscles
tossed the strong man like child in his arm;
and shouted maniac yelling laugh.
"Help, help!" screamed Jeh'eries; Oh! OH
my wife at home!"
These were his last words,
"Then 60 home to her!" shrieked Westhrope
and, and with another demoniac laugh, he
heaved the struggling victim high into the air
and | heard the dull, dead, plashy dint with
which he was dashed to pieces on the stony
ground.
Westhorpe turned suddenly round. "MadP
he shouted at the full pitch of his voice-"mad
Il believe you'll am! am!-madl mad
mad! He clenched my collar and drew me to
him was a mere child in his arms.
"Mad!" he repeated-''yes!-l tried long tc
keepit down! Oh, | fought with it-wrestleC
with i'll And | said to myself, No, | am no
mad, when knew was! Mad, | believe you
! am mad feel it now-l know the pleasure
oft. God! who would be sane-ha! half
he knew what life madman's isl"
He unloosed his grasp of me and | shrunk
into corner of the space before the boiler
almost unable TO articuate. The paroxysm
appeared TO pass away for the moment, and he
stood mutterinng. Then catching up the spade
he set himself to trim the fire anew. A thrill
of horror again passed through me; we were
going at pace to which all others that hac
ever travelled were mere child's play. reC
TO compose myselfto any fate. lfthe engine
did not leap off the rails, it was evident 'ha
sooner or later, we must arrive at the obstruc'
tion which would, as with one mighty blow
smte us into dust forever.
Again he turned round to me, and drawing
me towards him, looked into my face. The
madman had the mastery. Supporting him.
bx, s;da-roI bo ro1ad at ma oh thai