The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-07-09
MORNING, JULY 9, 1869.

There was no partition between tho boiler and
the engine room. Ons glance at tho steam
gaugc told him that the watchman had neglect
ed his duty. He rushed down the few steps In
front of the furnace and shouted to the fireman.
"Quick jim, throw more pitch pine slabs
into the fire. Mr.. Smith will give US hts.
Look he Is coming now to find why haven't
blown the whistle !"
"watchman's fault |" grumblcd Jim, open
Ing the doors and shovcling into the furnace
huge pile of shavings. Mr.. Smith entered tho
fro-room and James explained to him why the
steam was not up high enough to start the
engine.
"Georgc ought to have fired up at five, but,
suppose he was sleeping at his post" con-
cluded he.
.well," said the father Of Minnie, 81 will
tell Louis to pay him his wages and discharge
him !"
When James heard my name mentioned, l
could see that he trembled from head to foot.
"Dy the way, where is Louisf He has not
been to breakfast and he did not sleep in his
room last night" said Mr.. Smith.
"I-I don't know" faltered the guilty
wretch, turning away his face.
"He said to the seco d sawyer that he was
going to s. upon some business - said
Jim, looking up.
Gan right. Now Mr.. Alton do your best
to get up steam as soon rs possible, for every
hour lost is money out Of the Company's treas
ury," said Mr.. Smith, leaving the frc-room.
felt faint and weary, yet remained at my
post. James was passing to and fro with rest
less steps. Once he stopped and lifted the
safety-valve from which now came sound like
o sigh. Quickly he dropped the cord connected
with the lever, and something like groan is.
sued from his half open mouth.
He then lit his pipe, but after one or two puff
he threw 1t upon bench. Then again he re.
sumed his rapid walk. looked at the steam
gauge. II indicated ten pounds pressure to thu
square inch and was rapidly rising. james
stopped In his walk and began to oil the jour
mails Of the engine. The fireman had gone ou
Of the room. Snow is my time" thought /
rising up and jumping on the boiler next tn
engine.
"James- James =" cried l, and my voic'
sounded even strange to me. He quickly turn
ed and sank upon his knees as he saw my form
standing only few feet from where he had beer
at work.
"Mercy, mercyr' groand he with upliftet
hands.
"No mercy to murderer - shouted ]
jumping from the boiler with the intention O
scizing him.
But he was too quick for me. With cry O
intense horror he sprang to his feet AMI ran VI
the broad steps leading to the upper part Of th'
mill.
'Saye me, save me I" shouted he TO th,
working men rushing past them upon tn
logway.
"Stop him, stop him.v exclaimed l spring
ing after him. The men gave q shout, but in
stead of following him they ran away, some
crying, ga ghost! q ghost and others, 81
madmap I! crazy man -
Without hecding their outcries followct
James, still crying, "stop him! stop him''
lie ran towards place called "Turnbacl
Creek" This creek was very appropriately
named. Three hundred yards from the mil
was steep prccipice over which the water o.
the creek plunged with frightful roar.
"stop, James, stop. You arc running iut'
the jaws Of death J. shoutcd l. when l sa" h'n
only lew steps irom the edge OF the cha's'n'
The sound OF my voice only seemed 10 adc
more spced 10 ms Steps riesehoy ior h'0
ment nc stopped ana 'urhcd nus "Sne,i ia'e 70,
waru me- 'heh nc gave oouhd hke ueer' "nO
disappeared rom my s'sn'.
"od nave mercy upon MS SOUL n'"''nu'
ea l. SINKING eAhaus'ea !" INC sr0unu' inei'
for a time remembered no more.