The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-04-25
From Harper'S Weekly
AN ENGINEERS STORY.
ICONCLUDTD.


''And why not there % I demanded,
with momentary fear crossing my
mind that the man was deranged.
because another already occupies
the place." he cried in the shrill, shrek
ing voice he often used when much ex-
cited death is a passenger on this
train with us, and Death sits there
ghastly and still No, [ know you
don't see him; but second sight is a
gift in the family | come from. and |
see him. Il would have awarded off
his fell errand, but you-you and that
cursed Carew wouldn't let me- Now
go your own mad, reckless way, and
see where it will bring you. And re
member, Frank Atwater, that it's not
your own worthless life that hangs in
the balance but the lives of all who
travel on this train"
Argument with man in this excited
frame of mind would have been but fol
ly. I sat down without a word, smil-
ing in spite of myself, and resumed my
intent supervision of the engine while
Macleod sat silently by with folded
arms.
Never did the ''Lady Franklin show
finer mettle than on that night. The
machinery was perfect, the cranks well
oiled, the heat steady and intense
The fireman worked in concert with me,
fully comprehending my intentions, ,and
the Lady rushed over the rails like a
living, breathing thing.
Chow are you getting along, Frank p
asked Carew, coming forward with his
lantern as we left our first stopping
place.
ooh, splendidlyr' I answered.
II have just teiegraphed back to Sed-
letown; we have gained five minutes Oh
the Lightning already
II thought we were gaining" I re-
piled, quietly But was very much
excited. The idea Of pressing this
magnificent piece of machinery to hel
utmost speed; of el1ding the lightning
pursuit of the express which followed
pursued us; of identifying my own
nerves and sinews with the iron and
steel of the Lady Franklin" was ex-
citing in itself; nor had MacLeod's
wild talk been entirely without effect
on me. I was not superstitious but
we all know the mesmeric effect which
the strong belief Of another person,
however i'll founded that belief may be
invariably exerts upon the mind. That
Macleod firmly believed that l were
not alone in this little glazed compart-
ment I entertained no doubt; and his
horror reacted upon me, baseless
though I knew it to be.
81 wish I were at B." I thought
leaning my elbows on the woodwork
and gazing out into the stormy night
athwart which our huge headlight
threw streaming banner oflurid light
as it rushed along. At that instant my
shoulder was touched.
"Atwater,' said Macleod, in a husky
unnatural voice, ''ifyou have any pray
ers to say, say them now. Death is
very, very near to you!"
A cold chill ran through me.
II am always prepared to meet
DEATH answered, trying to speak
composedly.
death yes, but not death by sui
eide. You will be suicide, Francis
Atwater; nor do I wish longer to in
terfere. The hour of grace is past"
ooh ! Macleod, don't talk nonsense
Go back in the baggage car and sleeE
the liquor off,
Liquor? You think I'm drunk
You think I'm mad. You take me tc
be esuperstiiious. heard you-I hear6
you talking to her. You'd best keep
clear of her, young man. You see this
eh p and he drew huge knife from
his bosom.
Eyes, I see it, / answered, laying
my hand on the brake, as if I coulc
use it for defense,
"With this I could have silenced yot
long ago, and saved the victims yot
are sacrificing. But | prefer not =
What is to be, is to be; as well nigh
I endeavor to stem the current of tht
Mississippi with straw as to check th'
tide of Fate with my feeble hand Only
/ would warn you to say word or two
of prayer the fatal moment comes"
NV heart seemed to stand still will
deadly terror Was [ indeed shut VI