, 1876-08-04

1 should be sorry we ever met II you
60 on in this way. Don't ask what 1
mean-you know"
Its only club night" said 1.
"It will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my
neck.
Ned" said she. do you think
thing so like bolted and strapped down
demon as steam is, is fit to put into the
hands of a drunken man? And some
day. mark my words, not only Thurs
dav night, but all days of the week, Will
be the same. 1 have often heard you
wonder what the feelings OF an engl-
neer, who has about the same as muir
dered train full of people, must be,
and you'll know if you don't stop where
you ere. A steady hand and a clear
head have been your blessings all these
years; don't throw them away. Now, if
you don't care for my love, don't ruin
yourself"
NV little Joe! She spoke from her
heart, and bent over and kissed her.
Don't be afraid, child; I'll never
pain you again"
And meant it; but at u o'clock that
night felt 1 had forgotten my promise
and my resolution.
1 couldn't go home to Joe. I made
up my mind to sleep on the club sofa,
and leave the place for good the next
day. Already 1 felt my brain reel as it
had never done before. In an hour I
was in a kind of stupor. 1t was morn
ing. A waiter stood ready to brush my
coat. looked at my watch; 1 had only
five minutes to reach the depot.
Joe's words came to my mind. Was
1 fit to take charge of an engine? I was
not fit to answer. I ought to have
asked sober man. As it was, only
caught my hat and rushed away.
The San Francisco" glistened in
the sun. The cars filed rapidly. I
could bear the people talking-bidding
each other good-by, and promising to
come again. Among them was an old
gentleman 1 knew by sight-one of the
shareholders; he was bidding two timid
girls adieu.
Good-by, Kittie; good-by, Lue," I
heard him say; &" don't be nervous. The
San Francisco is the safest engine on
the line, and Guelden the most careful
engineer. 1 would not be afraid to
trust every mortal to their keeping.
Nothing could happen wrong with the
two together"
said, "We'n get through it some
how, and Joe shall never talk to me
again" After all, it was easy enough.
1 reeled as spoke. heard the signal.
We are off.
Five hours from L to D; five hours
back again. saw a hutter, and never
guessed what it was until we had passed
the train at the wrong place. Two
minutes and we should have had col
ision. Somebody told me, and I
laughed. 1 heard the shareholder say,
respectfully:
@Of course, Mr.. Guelden, you know
what you are about?"
Then I was alone, wondering whether
I should go faster or slower. I did
something, and the cars rushed on at
fearful rate. The same man who had
spoken to me before was standing near
me. I heard the question:
GLOW many miles an hour are we
making2" 1 didn't know.
Rattle, rattle, rattleI Twas trying to
slacken the speed of the "San Fran
CISCO" could not think what I should
do-was it this or that?-faster or
slower2 I was'playing with the engine
like child.
Suddenly there was horrible roar
crashl I was thrown somewhere; I was
in the water. By q miracle was so.
bered and not hurt. I gained the shore,
and gazed on my work.
The engine was in fragments; the cars
were in splnters; dead, dying and
wounded were strewn around. There
were groans and shrieks Of despair.
The MANNED cried out in pain; the un-
injured bewailed their dead; and 3 voice,
unheard by any other, was in my ears,
whispering, murderer"
The news had gone to A., and peo-
pie came thronging down to find their
lost ones. Searching for an old mans
daughter, came to place in the trees,
and found Ave bodies lying there in all
their rigid horror-an old woman,
young one, baby, and two small chill
dren. Was it fancy-was it pure fancy,
born Of my anguish? They looked
like-O, Heavenl they were my wife,
my children, all cold and deadl
How had they come on the train ?
What chance had brought this about?
No one could answer. I groaned, I
screamed, clasped my hands, I tore
my hair, I gazed on the lovely face of
my wife, my childrenB I called them by
name. There was no answer. There
never would be.
A whistle Great Godl Onward up
the track Numbered another train. Its
red eyes glared upon me; I threw my
self before it; 1 felt it crush me to
atoms.
His head is extremely hot" said
| anrnahodv