The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-06-22

black with smoke and dust. Only brake
man No; a trife better-the conductor of
the freight train. A year ago he had been
already he had been promoted. Love did it.
He had met and loved Lydia in the days of
his foolish idleness, and she had insisted that
he do some manly work, or she could not
yes, she could and did love him but he
must show himself worthy her love. Already
he had advanced, and she was we'll pleased
with his progress, and they had become en-
gagged.
A grimy, dusty man in unlovely garments;
but, in her eyes, he was a man made for
better things. As he stood beside her, one
could see in his clear eyes and sensible
face that he had good stuff in him, and was
worthy of her love-
1t becomes us not to lingcr while they talk
quietly together beside the track The train
moved slower and slower, till finally it stop
ped with the last car just beyond the switch
The iron horse was moved on, the station
master signaled with his arms in curious
| fashion, and each of the four brakemen re-
peated the motion in turn. White puffs of
steam rose high in the air from the farther
end of the train. A curious rattling sound
sped through the train, and the last car
backed down, turned aside and entered the
siding. The station master left the switch
and came hastily toward the lovers.
Good day, Alfred. Light freight to-day,
only one car-by the way, the brake chain is
broken, and you had better drop the car at
the repair shops. The freight can be thrown
out without leaving the car"
So saying, the station master went on in
to the freight house, followed by the rattling
and rumbling cars. They gradually lost
their speed, and then came to stop with the
end of the train lost in the dark cavern of
the freight house. There was shout from
the building,a and then one of the brakemen
began to move his arms as signal to 60 on.
Again the white puffs of steam shot up in
the distance, and with jar and quiver the
train started again.
Car after car rolled past them. There
were hurried whispers a warm hand-shake
and perhaps kiss, and then the young man
swung forward, grasped the ladder on the
last car. climbed quickly to the top and sat
down. She stood gazing after him as he
was drawn away from her, and smiled and
waved farewell to him with her handker-
chief
Here Lydia, you must help me-"
1t was her brother who stood beside hel
with bunch of keys in his hand.
"The passenger train follows this at once
and / must 60 to the station. Will yor
please close the switch after them?'
She took the keys, mechanically, and ther
turned again to gaze after her lover seated
on the last car of the retreating train. I
had passed out of the switch, and was cross
ing the great viaduct and moving more an,
more swiftly away.
To close and Jock the switch was neithe
difficult nor dangerous, and she quietl
: walked on toward the end of the siding til
she came to the switch post Here she leane'
against the wooden frame for little space
shading her eyes from the sun with her hant
and watching the train 1t had run around
the valley, and was turning into the grea
Y curve that crept upward in long grade owe
e the hill beyond
5 1t was now mile away and she coult
d no longer distinguish any one on the cars
6 She turned slowly away, seized the iron ba
e of the switch, and easily threw it over int
5 place, so as to leave the main line open 70
n the next train.
d She looked back down the road, and sa,
that the passenger train had entered the lin
5, from the branch and was just pulling up 8
: the station to discharge passengers. 1t ma
e seem surprising that a passenger train shoul
e be allowed to follow freight train 80 close
1t ly.
d Bad engineering as this arrangement wa
1t it was not SO serious as it seemed, for thi
d passenger train did not follow the freigf
J. except for three miles, when it reached th
r, end of its trip and was turned off upon
1t siding.
" She turned once more to look after the re
d treating freight train. 1t was in full vie
r, climbing the grade on the great curve.
g Suddenly she put up both hands to shad
ct her eyes, and leaned forward on the switc
n frame. What had happened? Two tin
d pufis of steam rose from the engine. 1t VIZ
J. the signal to stop.
All! the train has parted Faint and fi
is away came the short. sharp danger whistle
l. A single car had broken loose from ii
= train, and had been left behind. Bt W.
lie standing alone on the track.
he No. 1t was moving backward. 1t W.
t, beginning to roll down the grade. 1t WI
lt moving faster and faster. There was ma
le upon it-her lover.
lie Involuntarily she spread out her arms al
ID let them fall to her side three or four tim
in succession-the signal to put on Il
a. brakes.
e, "How foolish He cannot see mo, and
IS She leaned against the switch frame al
n, shook with fear and agony.
The brake was broken.
te Swifter and swifter rolled the disabled CT
ad 1t WAS coming down the track, gaining spe
n at every rod.
She sprang to the middle of the track al
'e, tried to shout to the engineer of the train
&c the station. She made the motions TO ba
er down out of danger. Her tongue Glove
'at the roof of her mouth and her cry becaI
an inarticuate moan.
81 Onward came the car She could see |
n, love upon it frantically waving his ar
III from right to left. What did it mean? II
On brain seemed to be ON fire. She could
h' nothing but gaze on the advancing car
Gu dumb horror
All /! The passengers Could she not 81
them?
rs With violent wrench she opened
he switch again, and stood holding the bar
| both hands Better so-better one life |