The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-09
CHASED BY THE FIRE.

SAakASAaO ~ fAhGa 5Ett&
In the coal regions of Pennsylvania there
are railroads called gravity roads, over
which long trains run without the aid of
locomotives.
The tracks are laid on gentle incline,
I'LL they come to steep ascending planes,
where stationary engines are placed, either ct
the head or foot Of the slope Here strong
iron ropes are attached to the cars, drawing
them to the top Of the hills, when they again
can run down on the other side, controlled
only by brakemen, till other elevations are
reached.
These roads have two tracks, net parallel,
but sometimes mile or two apart The one
on which the loaded car passes ia called the
heavy and the other where the empty cars
return, the slight track" They are built
along the sides OF the mountain Sumits, Civ
ING the eye grand sweep over board and beau.
tiiui landscapes. Then, gently descending,
haningg over deep rayines, and sometimes
uashlng through dense forests, where the
trees form an unbrOken shade over the track
In the Spring of 1875, John Ward, the hero
OF this story,was head brakeman on one of the
coal trains. During that Spring, this part OF
the country was visited by an UNUSUAL drouth.
Day after day the sun rose clear, and ran its
course over cloudless sky. But at length
veil gathered over the landscape, through
which the sun shone only like dull red disk.
The people said that forest fires were raging
in the lumber districts north. =
Near the close of day in the month OF Nav,
Ward and two other brakemen, in charge OF
an empty train, noticed cloud of smoke at
the head OF the plane next above them. AS
they ran down to the engine-house, which
was here at the foot of the slope, they inquir-
ed II the woods along the track were on fire.
The engineer replied that they were, but he
thought they could shoot by without dan
ger. els -:...1.
The men resolved to try. But when they
reached the top OF the plane, they saw they
had no time to, lose. The fire was rushing
towards them, and they could feel its hot
breath. Loosening the brakes theysped down
the track with covered faces and suspended
breath. ~ EN
But a Few moments sufticed to carry them
out OF danger, as they supposed. The road
then wound round curve of two miles
through dense pine forest 4
dosh and Dan McChing, wards two COM
paaions, congratulated themselves on their
escape; but Ward felt anxious lest this was
put the beginning of their troubles. His
home was in the midst Of the woods some
miles further down; and for the first time he
realized what q terrible foe fire might be-
come. .-. a..- - l. - = K
Scarcely had these thoughts passed through
MS MUD, when the train rounded the curve,
and there before them was the FIRE crossing
their path.
they had gone SO far dawn the plane that
II was Impossible to run the cars back. They
Ielt tnat they had better abandon them and re-
tufn WhAe there was yet a chance, to the
engine-house at the foot of the slope, 2"
But on rounding the curve again, they saw
TO their dismay, that the fire had reached the
track behind them, and was furiously burn
ing on both sides. All chance of retreat was
cut OF. But the forest where they stood was
cool ana green, the underground so luxurigut
n Inn HAITI Il
it could burn. 49, : ~
Inc next moment, however, a burning twiy
lodged IN one OF the tall trees near them, and
lgnltlng the pine needles, darted out tongue
Of flame. .H. 1N,> ~ - y
The men now saw that they must push
t TIll way through the fiji il front or perish
WIN hearts trembling with fear, they shock
on the brakes, and were about to rush down
the burning track, when a woman started
out from the trees, dragging a little bow by
the hand, and screamed to them in tones of
agony: -,
Stop and take US imp a.s -.
Josh Meeting shouted back: ave can't
possibly" and pointing to tall tree left
Standing IL the clearing ahead, against which
cord-WoOd had been piled, and which was
already in flames, But with a firm hand
1Ward pressed down the brake, and ordered
Inc Others to do the same, saying:
Would you leave a woman and her child
Don't you see we must get by that tree
before it falls across the track ?'' cried Nc
Cling in rage.
Il know" replied Ward, sternly; "but
they shall gowith us, Or Wen all perish to-
geaher. Quick, quick, my woman! we've no
He dared not leave the front of the train to
help her, for he knew the other men, in their
fright, would raise the brakes and desert
them. w.. -" >sis No'0A'
She struggled forward, but when almost
up 10 t1e cars, she stumbled and fell. With
bound, Ward sprang to her side, lifted her.
and handed her to Josh Meeting, who stood
In the rear of the ear. He then coueht up the
callo, ana turned to spring in, but Che train
was already moving, Josh, made utterly self
ISL by his fear, had raised the brakes.
Ward ran with the energy Of desperat: on.
1hreW The child into Dams outstretched arms,
ana then caught the last car, where he hung.
unable at the speed they were moving, Wits
ms utmost strength, to do more than keep
his hold 80 ~
In q few moments they left the green
woods, and passing through the blazing.
brrsh on either side, were almost blinded
and suffocated with the smoke and heat.
while burning twigs and brushes fell like =
red. hot shower upon them =
Wafd 1elt his hands blistering, yet he held
last and lookedup to see if the pine-tree was
sui standing. AS they passed under it, the
it1ines nad caught IN the long branches and
a. STOOD pyramid Of fire On the cars sned
announcer curve was passed, and they were
again ID the midst of dense green wood.
Dan Nc Ching shouted to his brother TO
put down the brakes and succeeded in max.
ing him stop the train. The two men then cot
out, and ran buck to pick up Ward, who had
dropped exhausted before the motion entirely
ceased.
They placed him in the cars, and II EN- al.
lowed the train to run some distance firth :.
till they felt sure the danger was passed
Coming to q little stream of water near the
track, they again stopped the train, and gath
cred around the spring, to wash their burns
and rest a little. .&
Here Ward recognized the poor woman he
had saved as Mrs. Stacy, the wife Of a wood
chopper, who was employed tosupply fuel
for the engine house they had just passed.
Her little shanty was just in the path Of the
fire. She saw the fire coming, and had time
only to catch her boy and escape to the woods,
where these men had picked her up She had
lost everything, and feared that her husband
had pefished in the flames. He had gone of
with his axe in the morning, which way she
she could not tell. 13'
Ward was filed with anxiety about the
woman and her child. He knew that his two
companions would do nothing for her, and be
must offer her shelter in his own home But
he had six children and an aged mother to
support and his wife was not one who bore
her burdens lightly I3 IA
But the kind-hearted man invited Mrs Sta