Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1878-07-26


was blown up. and Ike M arrow the
engines flew along; hut no more shots
were exchanged, for MS they were run,
ming neck and neck for one instant Seth
perceived light ON the ncahead and,
before his companion was aware Of his
intention, shut otf the steam. The
other engine tied away into the Gark.
ness, leaving Seth and Tom far behind
What did you shu, oil for" cried
Tom Ill amaGemcnt,
Look ahead and you'll know" was
the grim reply.
! Tom looked ahead 4 wcired light
was playing ON the track, y halo or un-
earthly appcarencc, II Shimmcred and
moved about like u wille.thc-wisp. Il
was y most CHASTITY white mist n
ghostly warning.
What can il be-" said Tom. his sup.
crStiuous tcrrors being NOW excited.
"What is il ."
Its Il light, that's all, said Seth
with 4 tiendishgrin. knowit though:
/ I've seen il before. There's somebody
underneath the rails III the bridge, and,
You hct they're cutting the track for tho
specie train"
Gracious heaven, All chat engine"
That engine viii hc in the river ii
two minutes, SAID Seth Martin.
"Oh! hurry up and save them II W
can, exclaimed Tom. "Go ahead"
Gently, mate, gently let them get
on Il hit He turned OH steam, but
ere they had passed half the dis,
tauec iii the direction ot tho light il
loud crash was heard, and amid screams
OF human agony the trcStle bridge sank !
down down gently. slowly, hut
surely, to the stream below, The non.
drrous engine dipped forward, gave one
heavy roll rightod again, and then |
turning completely over, tcll with Il |
laundering noisr into tho canon below
The lights were suddenly extinguished
and the piercing screams Of wounded /
and scaIded men arose, mNpicd with |
the kissing steam and the dull roar of |
thunder. Tho storm had burst.
Caught in thcirewn trap exemim.
Cd Seth. Serves them right Poor
critters I'm kinder sorry, too"
Lct US help thcm," cried Tom,
Help yes; let lis run on 10 Dart
ford and stop the traffic; the specie is |
due iii ten minutes.
Gross that bridge" exclaimed the
'irsYan {; ~. a. ,.ro.. ,.,t ,,.;,n. ~,
goin to try it, replied Seth "Will'
you chance it?'
+" Yes, Y Was the brave answer; its
kill or cure"
Here goes then; shake hand. God
bless 80 mate if we don't meet again,
tell thom | died ut my post like
man"
Tho driycrand fireman elasped hands
in silence, and, Seth turning on the full
pressure Of steam. the engine gathered
itself up for It's final race.
Nota sound escaped either Of the
men. Side by side they stood. As they
approached they could see red glare.
The bridge had caught fire AZ thev
shot past form OF two hurried quickly |
ont Of sight-somc Of the desperate
band now cowed and crushed, In il |
moment more The brdgc was in full view |
The cracking tlmbcrs of the up line
We're all burning around the mighty |
monster engine, which still emitted
smoke and flame. As fash Of light
ming will in one brief second reveal sur.
rounding objects distinctly, 80 the glare
of the engine furnace lit ~ the scene
below Inc engine dashed along u
roar creaking noi.o, tile flame lcaped
up beneath-and the danger was over,
The down line had not been under
mined.
As they slackened speed 4 long deep
whistle Was heard, and II dim speck was
seen like a pins head on the line i'll
front
"l'hcre's the specie, Tom. We've
done our duty. Run down easy and
then see If We can't help the unforlu-
nate loafers under the bridge. II was Il
marrow squeak 4
II was, indeed. The specie train wis
saved though, and the iiIibuslcrs taken
III thc net. Three were drowned, and |
Two more terribly injured that they died
soon after from the effects. Seth and \
Tom we're rewarded, and ihe former
was subsequently made inspector; but
hc and Tom often talk of lhat summer
night when they were 50 nearly killed 7
while running pilot