The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-01-14

from
ness of the hour, for it was now about
midnight, when, fearing to drop to sleep
7 rose from stool on which I had been
sitting and determined to change to the
passenger cars at the next stopping
place. just as I had made this mental
resolve there came suddenly a crash at
the front window Of the engine that sent
every drop of blood back to my heart
with sickening thrill. [ had time to
draw one long breath when the engineer
whistled "down breakes' and shut
off steam from the engine, exclaining
.My God what is that % while both
he and myself shook the broken glass
from our faces and neck, and he still
further reversed his engine.
"It's a lantern" said the fireman,
picking up what remained of the article
which had come crashing in at the win
dow.
ssThrown at u.s." said the engineer.
.sThat means danger if it means any
thing"
In the meantsme the train had been
brought to standstill, the conductor
had appeared at the side Of the locomo-
tive to consult with the engineer, the
bell was rung, whistle started. and
gradually we ran backward toward the
spot where the lantern had struck us.
We had retraced our way for nearly a
quarter of mile, when a man suddenly
appeared through the darkness and came
up to the locomotive.
"Did you throw that lantern % asked
the engineer.
ssTo be sure did, and worse luck If [
hadn't hit ye !" was the answer that came
to our ears with unmistakable Milesian
accent.
"Who are you?' asked the conduc-
Tor.
ssTm trackman between here and
Brandon"
"Well, what's the matter 2" asked the
engineer.
"The matter is broken rail, jest be-
yant, as would have sent ye all to glory"
replied the Irishman.
The affair was soon explained. Dur
ing the winter season the frost often
renders the rails very brittle, so that
they break under passing train. In
consequence of this liability to danger
corps of trankmen are SO placed as to
walk over and examine every mile of the
Northern roads, in extreme weather,
after the passing oil each train. Those
trackmen are supplied with the ordinary
tools for repairing any slight break, and
also with lantern to signify danger
when necessary to any incoming train.
In the instance to which we refer the
trackman had discovered a serious
break in a rail just beside steep en-
bankment and viaduct, one of the most
dangerous spots on the route. In his
efforts to repair the danger by some
means his lantern became extinguished.
Here was an unfortunate plight. In
that sparsely inhabited region there was
neither house nor shelter where he could
renew the light. His matches he ex-
hausted in vain endeavors to light the
wick in so fierce storm. Besides, as
the man we'll reasoned. 1.-THE engineer,
I knew, could not see my lantern, if it
were lighted, three rods off in such a
night The Irishman was puzzled !;
the Lightning Express was nearly due ;
if it struck that defective rail the train
would surely be wrecked.
What was to be done? A sudden in
spiration struck him. He started and
ran like deer nearly half a mile up the
track toward the oncoming train. Al
ready he heard the rumble of its ap-
proach as he placed himself on a slight
elevation on the side of the track. On
came the train; he could see her signal
light, though the engineer could neither
see nor have heard hin-on, on, thirty
miles an hour, toward destruction. The
rishman braced himself, and with a
swift but careful throw of his unighted
lantern he cast it straight into the engi-
neer's face.
'Bedad It was the only thing [
could do, said the honest fellow, as he
gratefully pocketed a purse of fifty dol
lars made up by the passengers.
We crept carefully on to the danger
Gus spot, where detention of twenty
minutes served to mend the track sllf-
fciently to permit the passage of the
train, and we once more dashed ahead
in the darkness; but shall never forget
that experience upon the lightning Ex-
press. Lieut.. Murray, IN ~ T. Weekly.
AN Oshkosh dispatch of the 31st says !: