The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-05-02
THE STORY-TELLER.
THE ENGINEERS STORY.

was very young when first put in
charge of the night express, but begun
nay career as an engineer so early-being
only nineteen when first ran the Mid
dlesex Mail--that 1 was an experienced
hand when put upon the "6:l0 Night
Express" though only twenty-Seven
years old.
Linden was our second stop on the
run out-thirty-eight miles-and the
town with its dull, crooked, half paved
streets, its quaint old cathedral, and
pretty outlying country-seats, was very
dear to me, for here Nellie lived when
first knew her.
I always looked forward pleasantly to
our arrival at Linden, for as our train
came laundering up to the depot, on
these long summer evenings, Nellie was
often there, awaiting my coming, and,
while Joe was watering the engine, l
managed to have few pleasant words
with her before we were ready to start
again. Then, as the bell-rope signalled
"go ahead" and 1 stepped upon the
engine, she waved me pleasant good-by,
that seemed to give me heart and
strength during the rest of my long
ride.
So time passed pleasantly on. until 1
told Nellie one day the story had so
longed to tell her, and heard the answer,
for which my heart had hardly dared to
hope.
How light were my labors, with her
love to cheer me on How dear the
thousand little evidences of that love,
offered in her own sweet, delicate way.
We were to be married in the fall and
all event merry as q marriage-bell," "
when an accident occurred to me as l
was running the Firehy"-my dear
old engine-down to Linden which ma
terially altered our plans.
l had started four minutes late, and
was going along at a lively speed, when,
as we swung around curve, we saw q
man coming down the track, waving a
red flag.
Whistling Down brakes we were
soon at standstill, and, leaving Joe to
take care of the engine, hurried for
ward with the conductor, to see the
cause of the danger-signal. Coming up
with the hagman, we learned that a
freight train was off the track mile
further up the road; and for two whole
hours we waited on the main track,
while the heavy freight cars were being
unloaded and righted. At last Clear
track" was signaled, and l sounded the
whistle for "All aboard"
"Put her through pretty lively when
you get clear track" said Charlie, the
conductor. "Ive telegraped ahead,
and we'll have right of way from here
straight through. Not let her jump,
Harry, and we'll make up time before
we reach Sadler's."
Twilight was fast coming on us. The
switch-lights ahead winked their red
eyes, and showed pair of white ones,
to tell us all was right the headlight OF
our engine was lit, throwing stream
of light down the track, and, with one
long shrek from the whistle. we started
down the road at rapid pace, with q
clear run ahead of us of twenty-one
miles to Marketfelds Junction, our first
station.
Ah if l could have looked ahead
only as far as Marketfelds-andc could
have seen the broken rail which lay
waiting for me at an ugly curve, would
l have told Joe so earnestly to "keep up
the fire. and see that forty pounds were
on the boilers, as we must tear along as
fast as Firehy could carry us! Z"
We were bounding across the country
at terrific pace, leaving behind us a
long train of sparks and heavy clouds of
smoke, the engine swinging from side
to side, and almost leaping the track at
every turn of the great driving wheels.
On-on-without slackening speed on,
over the great plains and into the woods
beyond under the trees and out into
the clearing again; laundering under
the great stone archways, flying past
the country stations, where the rustics
were huddled together to see the great
train pass on-on, without pause or
rest, through the valley and into the
mountain-gorge, whose rocks echoed
back the shrill whistle sounded as we
swung around the curves.
The night was upon us as we neared
Marketfelds, and Joe and were seated
at either window, our eyes fixed intently
on the track ahead, watching for any
obstruction ON the shining rails, which
were glistening like silver serpents in
the brilliancy OF our headlight.