Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-08-08
VOL. 72.-3695. NO. 43.


place, so as to leave the main line open for
the next train.
She looked back Gown the road and saw
that the passenger train had entered the
line from the branch and was Just pulling
up at the station TO discharge passengers
It may seem surprising that passenger
train should be allowed to follow freight
train so closely.
Bad engineering as this arrangement was,
it was not so serious as it seemed, for this
passenger train did not follow the freight
except for three miles, when it reached the
end of its trip and turned off upon a siding.
She turned once more to look after the re-
treating train. It was in full view, climb
ing the grade on the great curve.
Suddenly she put up both hands to shade
her eyes, and leaned forward on the switch
frame. What had happened? Two tiny
pufs Of steam rose from the engine. 1t was
the signal to stop.
All the train has parted Faint and far
away came the short, sharp danger whistle.
single car had broken loose from the train,
and had been left behind. 1t was standing
alone on the track.
No. 1t was moving backward It was
beginning to roll down the grade. Ii was
moving faster and faster. There was man
upon it--her lover.
lnvoluntarly she spread out her arms and
let them fall to her side three or four times in
succession-the signal to put on the brakes.
How foolish He cannot see me, and"
she leaned against the switch-frame and
shook with fear and agony
The brake was broken.
Swift and swifter rolled the disabled car
1t was coming down the track, gaining speed
at every rod.
She sprang to the middle of the track and
tr.gl -. Il. A.. z
the station. She made the motions to back
down out of danger. Her tongue Glove to
the roof of her mouth, and her cry became
an inarticulate groan.
Onward came the car. She could see her
lover upon it frantically waving his arms
from right to left What did it mean Her
brain seemed to be on fire. She could do
nothing but gaze on the advancing car in
dumb horror All The passengers Could
she not save themP
With violent wrench she opened the
switch again and stood holding the bar in
both hands. Better so. Better one life lost
than dozen. Her feet seemed bolted to the
ground She must stay and see him killed,
and by her own hand. All why had she
not thought oi it before
The cross over switch. Could she reach il
in time to save him She snatched the key
| from the switch and ran with frantic speed
| up the line. She never knew how she opened
! that switch
With moans and cries she threw herself
across the line and began to run down the
other side. Could she reach the switch be-
fore the car A roaring rang in her ears.
Painting, with almost bursting BOSOM she
reached the switch, opened it and stood cling
ing to it as the car came laundering over
the viaduct.
She looked up at her lover upon the car.
He had seen and understood the change in
the switches. His car, helpless though it
was would cross over to the down track and
roll harmlessly along the level line till its
force was spent. He was saved and by her
ready wit and skill. The passengers in the
train were also saved
She had saved him. Love had been her
inspiration.
Great heavensl what's that ? The ex-
press The down express was coming
All was in vain. He was lost. She saw
him throw up his arms in despair. The very
plan she had devised to save him would be
his destruction. Better far to have thrown
him off the siding as she had intended.
Now he would meet a more dreadful death,
and the destruction would include scores of
lives instead of dozen.
All this flashed through her mind like as
lightning. She felt her knees give way be-
meath her, and she clung to the switch in
despair. She shut her eyes to hide the com
ing disaster.
Hark The whistle of the express. They
had seen the imminent collision. aud were
doing their best to avert it.
She, too, must do something. With a
bound she sprang TO the next switch, tore it
open, and stood painting and moaning beside
it with the bar in her hand She must save
E.l,.. 1 1 l.. /
the spntered wreck of the car
Onward came the car laundering over the
viaduct aud just ahead of the train 1t
turned quickly at the switch, crossed over
and shot past her into the sitting. He had
one look at her upturned face. 1t was full
of love and helpless misery. She was send.
| ing him to certain destruction to save the
express train.
The instant the car passed she closed the
switch and sprang again to the other switch
aud closed it just in time to see the express
train sweep past in safety,
In AN instant the helpless car ran into the
| freight house with an awful splintering
crash. The express pulled opposite the sta
! ton. and in a moment crowd OF people ran
shouting and frantic up the line. Some OF
them had seen the whole performance and
knew what it meant, but for the majority of
| them it was II tragic mystery.
They found Lydia upon the ground by the
switch, and with the keys still clutched in
her hand. What had she done? What
had happened to her ?
She could not answer Nature had merc-
fully taken away her senses. They took
her up tenderly aud carried her to the sta
tiou, and laid her upon seat III the waiting
room. The passengers OF the two trains
crowded the room and offered every aid, for
/ a
stand that she was their creditor to the value
OF all their lives. She had paid for their
safety with costly sacrifice.
The freight train backed down to the
cross-oyer switch, aud the engineers OF The
three trains met and began TO examine the
positions OF the switches. A number of
men also came from the express train, and
among them was one who seemed to be i'll
authority He, too examined the line care
fully, aud the engineers explained the mat
ter to him and listened to his remarks with
becoming Difference.
The little room in the station was packed
with people, idlers and others, and they
could with difficulty bring him in.
No." said one OF the ladies who were
trying 10 restore the girl. 1t may be too
great a shock for her. She must not see
him yet"
Make way there, gentlemen. The super
mteudent OF the road is here"
The crowd moved slightly, and the super
ntendent advanced into the room. lie took
off his hat aud spoke quietly to the people
near, and then stopped over the unconscious
girl aud softly kissed her like father.
~ She saved all our lives, and | fear she
thinks she paid dearly for them"
Suddenly she opened her eyes aud sat up
bewidered
"Where is he Is he much hurt Oh
Perhaps he is
Let me alone, | tell YOU" cried big
bold voice in the crowd must 20 to her."
He escaped from those who would detain
him, aud in a moment was beside her,
Some of the people laughed IN foolish JOY
others cried. The more delicate aud sens-
ble were silent, lor the meeting was not for
words nor description.
After slight pause, the superintendent
said to the young man
al congratulate you, sir You were on
the car 2"
e" Yes, sir | was ON the car, aud saved
myself at the last moment 10y jumping Off
landed on pile of fine coal and got a
rough tumble-and that was all, The car is