The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-02-23

81 did it, Yes, did it. There was
something in the face of that man that
L could not resist Then climbed for
ward and shook him by the shoulder.
''' Blakeley! l shouted, you are run
ming this train into the jaws of death
''' | know it, quietly.
$50 Your wife and child are on it
6" My God!'
6 He staggered to his feet But even
then he did not move his eye from the
gauge.
In minute
"'M Make up the fire. he said, and
pushed in the Unbelievable
'''l will not
Make up the fire, Mr.. Santley,'
very quietly.
GO l will not. You may murder YOUR
self and your wife and boy, but you
shall not murder me-
Z" He looked at me- His kindly gray
eyes glared like those of wild beast.
But he controlled himself in moment.
could throw you out of this door.
and make short work of it. Bullock
here; do you see the station yonder?'
l saw thin wisp of smoke against
the sky about five miles in advance.
"' was told to reach that station by
six o'clock. The express train meeting
us is due now. on ht to have laid by
for it at Sunbury. | was told to come
on. The track is a single one. Unless
can make the siding at that station in
three minutes we will meet it Yonder in
the hollow
Somebody blunderedP'
g. Yes, think So
"' And you obeyed?'
He said nothing. l threw on coal.
If had had petroleum, l would have
thrown it on. But l never was calmer
in my life. When death has a man
actually by the throat it sobers him.
" Blakeley pushed in the valve still
further. The engine began to give a
strange painting sound. Far off to the
south | could see the bituminous black
smoke of a train.
"Ilooked at Blakeley inquiringly.
He nodded. 1t was the express.
"Istooped to the fire
"'No more, he said.
:" looked across the clear, wintry
sky at the gray smoke of the peaceful
little village, and beyond. that black
line coming closer, closer, across the
| sky. Then turned to the watch.
In one minute more
Gentlemen, | confess; l sat down
and buried my face In my hands. don't
think Tried to pray. had confused
thought of mass of mangled, dying
men and women, mothers and their
babies, and vaguely of a merciful God.
Little Charley with his curls and pretty
suit
"There was terrific Shrek from the
engine against which leaned. Another
in my face. A hot tempest passed me.
81 looked up. We were on the sid
ing and the express had gone by. The
hindmost cars touched in passing.
"'Thank God! You've done it, Blake
leyn cried
but he did not speak. He sat there
mmovable and cold as a stone / went
to the cars and brought Jane and the
boy to him, and when he opened his
eyes and took the little woman's hands
in his | came away.
An engineer named Fred, who was
at the station, ran the train into Har-
risburg. Blakeley was terribly shaken.
But we went down and had our little
feast, after all. Charley, at least, en-
joyed it,"
"What was the explanation? A blum
der of the director or the telegraph
operator?'
Il don't know. Blakeley made light
of it afterward and kept the secret
These railway men must have strong
esprit de corps.
"All | know is that Blakeley's salary
was raised soon after, and he received
that Christmas very handsome testi-
monial for services rendered, from the
company"