Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1877-09-06
TWO MINUTES TOO LATE.

TWO MINUTES TOO LATE.
With his geod-by ringing in her ears,
Drucie Miller re-entered the little tele-
graph Office and dropped into the chair
before the clicking instrument. CLAN
cling at the clock above her head, she
noticed that it was almost time for her
to close the Office for the night, and
seek her humble home at the foot of
one of the darkened streets # the vii
lage. The rumbling of the train which
had Just left the station was growing
fainter and fainter, and the girl listen
ed TO it as though it was the voice of a
friend who was leaving her for long
time.
She did not expect any me ssage, that
night; the engine breathing heavily
from its great iron lungs on the track
near her window would not move un-
til the night express had pas sed up, and
the engineer knowing this, had sought
his sweetheart who lived in the viii
lage.
Tom Gray, the engineer of the train
Just departing, was Drueie's lover, and
his intimate friends knew when the
wedding was to take place. He had
not known ner losg, but that did moi
matter, since he was true fellow, who
loved her with all bis heart, and with
all hers she loved Tom.
The rumble of the train at length
died away, and Drucie was about tC
shut off the current and leave the Office,
when message began to fall upon hei
ears.
She started, for the first word drove
the color from her cheeks, and stand
ing over the instrument she heard this
message:
Number ten switch at Colby till
num3er six passes. Six just starting!
six just startingi Ny GodI They
will meetr cried the beautiful opera
tor, starting from the table; what car
/ do to save him-them?'
And with her eyes staring at the
clock she stood in the center Of the
room, thinking of the two trains ap
: preaching each other through the mis-
! that almost hid the moon.
The real sitution, enough to blanch
a young girls cheeks, was appalling.
q The order for the train which had
just left Fletcher to switch at Colby
graph, even, could not stop il, for ther,
, was no night office at Colby. 1t wal
40 unusual matter for number six t.
leave Fort Wayne before the arrival o
number ten; but as the latter train WA
some twelve minutes behind. time OF
that particular night, six, anxious Il
leave on time, to save its connections
telegraphed to Fletcher the messeg,
which had so startled Drucie Miller
From Fletcher to point four mile
below Colby, the company had com
pleted double track, which, wheI
finished to Fort Wayne, would ohviat,
the trouble OF switching and preven
accidents. .
When Drucie recovered her self-pos
session, she started from the Office will
the message in her hand. II had ar
rived just two minutes too late, an(
Il Tom Gray unconscious of its existence
was driving his engine gahesd ant
: thinksng of the girl he had lately kiss
ed adieu. He knew that it was known
: in Fort Wayne that he was unavoida
bly, behind time, and thought that ac
gcurding TO custom the express, waitin,
there, would not move out until he ar
rived.
= But LET us return to Drucie Miller.
She saw the freight engine standing
I on the new track already Inenti0net
and caught glimpse of the young fire
man asleep on his box. .k11s z-lsg
trlA determined resolution entered he
head, and the next moment she was il
the engine-reom with her hand on th,
, boys shoulder. ~ er--sqrf-r. r.i
j FtThat you, Miss DFucie?' said the boy
rousing himself with yawn. Law
: a mercy!--'
Get out and uncouple the freight!
she cried. Toms moved out, and
he doesn't switch at Colby everybod.
g will Ee killed. We must catch himp
The boy with cry of horror left tn,
engine, and a minute later the freigh h
cars standing idly on the track whil
the engine and its tender were movin,
out gaining momentum at each revolu
lion of the wheel.
'WhafH Dick say when he come
back and finds his engine gomez sait
the boy, looking up into Drucie's face
- tWh hat do we care what he says
What is Dicks life to the precious live
on the two trains? Jim, how fast Cal
your engine travel?'5 -iCs
About two miles q minute!' the boz
/ answered, with smile. She's thI
Z twiftest bird on the road. But dom
think we can catch number ten; W,
might If We had Dick with us. I'll,
knows how 10 manage the Belle.'
And so do Wood up, Jim! FIJI
up the furnace chock full. We mus
catch Tenn this side of the tracks ter.
minus orr R s%ftH
The girl paused and looked at thu
pale boy.
'Or what, Miss Drucie?'
tOr blow up!' -
That's what's the natter!' said Jim
catching her spirit. And we'll catcf
him, too! Woodi wood! There! the
furnace is chock full. Golly-whiz
how we are goingp 8i5s5iC
The engine had received new mo
mentuIn which momentarily increased
and all at once, Jim, who had beer
trying to pierce the haze, said:
Two miles q minute, I'Il bet, Mis-
Drucie! II It was daylight the tele
graph poles would resemble a fine
tooth comb
But the girl did not reply. She stood
before the lever wishing that she could