Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-05-30
TOWANDA, BRADFORD COUNTY, PA,

superstitious but we all know the
mesmeric effect which the strong be-
lief of another person, however i'll
founded that belief may be, invaria-
bly, exerts on the mind. That Nc
Leod firmly believed that he and |
were not alone in this little glazed
compartment entertained no doubt,
and his horror reacted upon me, base
less though | knew it to be.
Al wish we were at B" l
thought, leaning my elbows on the
woodwork and gazing out into the
stormy night, athwart which our
huge headlight threw streaming
banner of lurid light as it rushed
along. At that instant my shoulder
was touched.
"Atwater," said Mcleod, in hus-
ky, unnatural voice, eff you have
any prayers to say, say them now.
Death is very near to you !"
A cold chill ran through me.
81 am always prepared to meet
DEATH" | answered, trying to speak
composedly.
death? yes, but not death by
suicide. You will be suicide, Fran
els Atwater nor do | wish longer
to interfere. The hour of grace is
past"
"Oh, Mcleod don't talk nom
sense. 60 back in the baggage Car
and slern the Iinuor Off
Liquor? You think Pm drunk.
You think Pm mad You take me
to be superstitious. heard you'll
heard you talking to her. You best
keep clear of her, young man. You
see this, eh?" and he drew huge
knife from his bosom. .. ..
eyes, | see it," l answered laying
my hand on the brake, as if could
use it for defense.
with this l could have silenced
you long ago, and saved the victims
you are sacrificing. But prefer not.
What is to be is to be ; as well might
| attempt to stem the current of the
Mississippi with straw as to check
the tide OF Fate with my feeble hand!
Only l would warn you to say word
or two Of prayer before the fatal mo-
ment comes"
My heart seemed to stand still with
deadly terror. Was | indeed shut
up in this narrow spot with a maniac?
Would | be mul dered before | could
call for help? But / remembered
that in GOODNESS and presence Of mind
lay my only chance Of safety, and
resolved to abide the result We
were now putting On brakes for the
second and last stopping place ere
we reached B. Mcleod sprang
out upon the platform as we stopped,
and went into a bar-room adjoining
the station. | went back and spoke
to one of the brakemen, an athletic
Maine man, with thews and sinews
of iron, the stature of giant.
Jim," said in low tone of
voice-his name was Jim Torrance
ID want you to come on to the To-
comotive with me. He talks and
acts very strangely tonight; and
he may attempt some violence"
81 saw him draw out that out
landish knife O. his, sir, a minute or
two ago." said Jim, shrewdly. l
could easily jerk it away from him
when we're movin' again"
"No, do not wish you to use
force Of any kind unless it is abso-
lutely necessary. | think he is harm
less, but it is just as we'll to keep a
little watch over him"
"He's queer" said jim. "Pll
keep an eye on him"
Once more after ten minutes
stop the little signal.bell sounded
" Go ahead !" the brakes moved nois-
lily, and the wheels began to revolve.
Mcleod had not returned to his place
by my side, and l began heartily to
hope that he designed to favor me
with no more of society. Twas over
joyed to feel this, and in much lighter
spirits than usual | let on the steam
and was soon going at rapid rate
Three or four hundred yards from the
depot the road ran through a deep
cut, and just beyond it was a cores
ponding Clip or embankment about
ten feet high. The engineers, that
is the surveyors" as we mechanical
engineers Insist, half-sneeringly, in
calling them, had with very bad taste
made compound curve" here, so
that before entering the "cut" | could
see nothing in it, and when | was in
the "cut" could see nothing beyond
it. So, of course, we had to go
through with whistle blowing and
usually at slow gate. But feeling
in good spirits at McLeod's absence,
the prospect of good run, having
the Lady" in fine condition, with the
trains we were to meet reported "all
right and the track clear, | "let the
dogs loose" opened valves, dashed
through the cut and
Very, very nearly into eternity |!
Danger is said to be fascinating it
is particularly so when you see it
coming, have time to reflect upon it
and plan and execute a rescue or
what you hope to prove so. l saw
it plainly this night, the rail half re-
moved, the figure of the mailman
still bent on his hellish work. saw
him as he completed it, saw him
shake his fist savagely at me and
jump aside to watch the slaughter he
had plotted. | was not second in
sounding down brakes" not an in
stant in reversing the engine, but
nothing could have saved that train
excepts the madman's "lack of meth,
3D." or want of the skill of the des,
pissed surveyors. For want of this
knowledge, perhaps for want of time,
/