Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-02-07

some section on such night as this,
some three years ago, and going smash
through the culvert over the Big Stony,
and breaking things generally. Engine,
tender, and half a dozen cars were
stove and piled up together, my fire.
man killed, and I was dragged out
from under the wreck, pretty badly
scalded and used up. But, my time
hadn't come yet, and I was soon on the
road again, and" 4a.#a.#3 sbi
Something on the track Looks
like somebody waving q lantern, but
the sleet is SO thick l can't rightly make
out" shouted the fireman.
John Lathrop sprang to his post,
made the whistle shrek like an impris-
oned and tortured fend, reversed the
engine, and visited On brakes. But his
trained eye instantly saw it would be Of
no use-that he could not check the
Roadway of the heavy train in time to
avert running over the object, be it
what it might, for the track was so mar
row and walled in by high embank-
ments that escape was impossible. Be-
SlOSS, luOy WOAO upOA Clc SOIACoAAhS
upon the track" before they were
aware of it, having just rounded q
sharp curve.
"There is my home," gasped John
Lathrop, pointing cut into the gloom
"The Big Stony is just ahead, and-Oh,
my God if the culvert should have
given way, and my boy have come to
give me nv warning ?"
"Your home your boy?" echoed the
tramp. ..r
"Good, Heaven yes" and the strong
nam became unnerved and robbed of
all decision.
cit is boy :" shouted the fireman
"And my God have mercy upon him,
believe it is your John ~
The passenger said nothing, but a
wild determination flashed from his
eyes as he arose, climbed out along the
side of the monster engine jug.
gernaut huge enough to have crushed
hundreds at time beneath its ponder.
Gus wheels. Then the midday-like
sunbeams of the headlight streamed
out and made all plain to him, despite
the thick sleet and darkness.
He saw land shiver other than that
produced by the cold passed through
him) boy standing directly ahead
in the deep cut, waving q lantern
whose blood-red globe shone like an
evil eye. Though still at little dis
lance, he seemed directly under foot
and about to be dragged down and de-
voured.
"He saved my life," muttered the
tramp from between his tightly set
teeth, "and I'll do as much for him if
1 can. Anyway, I'll try, and haven't
anybody to mourn for me if I go I'm.
der" ..
His resolution was desperate one
must be carried out without the delay
of single moment, if at all. He
swung himself down on the pilot
twisted his feet within the iron bars
and extended his body ahead as if
carved from oak, and stretching bis
hands still in advance.
1t was trying situation, one requir'
ing the greatest courage position nc
one unused to feats of strength within
the arena could have sustained at all
But he did, and bravely, and the en-.
CINE rolled on nearer and nearer, and
the boy suddenly becoming aware of
his danger and the impossibility of es.
cape, sank down upon the ties, and his
screams Of mortal agony rang out
louder and louder than jar of wheels
and Kissing of steam. " Father father
save me. Oh, save me $685.
Save him? John Lathrop was kneel-
ing on the floor of the cab, with his
hands raised in prayer, his face white
as snow, and working in the most ter
rible torture. The fireman had taken
his place at the lever, throttle, and
whistle, and the engine plunged with
increased speed upon down grade to
grind into atoms all that dared oppose
its way a.s aa..-st.H r. -5.8
It was upon-over the boy No
heaven be praised; the arms of the
tramp had grasped, lifted, and dragged
him upon the pilot and to safety before
touched by the fire breathing monster;
and when it paused, quivering upon the
very brink of the crippled culvert, John
Lathrop was holding his brave boy in
his arms, hugging him to his heart, and
crying over him as q woman. -
In the morn of clear Sabbath, No
Ninety-nine rolled into the station; and
when John Lathrop told his wife OF
how their boy had baen saved, and she
sprang to the stranger and kissed him
from the impulse of her mothers
heart, there was no Jealous frown upor
his brow. 10 ggge ..i
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