Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-04-03


them of tears that were the very reverse
of unmanly, and grasping the hand of his
fellow engineer, whispered under his
breath:
IF anything should happen to me, if
should be killed, promise me that you and
the boys will take good care of my wife
and child"
81 promise-swear il, John-and will
keep my word as | know you would do
for me. But wish you wasn't going out.
l don't like the way things look"
Nor /. But somebody has got to 90,
and it shall never be said that John NAL
colin was driven from the road, or forced
to back out from running by a lot of mis-
cradle thieves and vagabonds."
lone word more, John. Are you
armedP"
" No; never carried a weapon in my
life; didn't ever think of needing one."
"Then take mine. Hope you won't
have to use it. but it might save your life.
Every chamber is loaded and the wretches
that are causing our honest strike to be a
failure, and be cursed! give it to them,
John. as if they were so many snakes"
With the revolver ready for instant use
John Malcom hurried forward. The
surging and infurated crowd made little
room for him TO pass. They knew him
and OWNED his purpose. and no one had
anything particular against him, yet he
would be sacrificed as quickly to the wild
unreason of the sansculottes as if he had
been their most bitter enemy. He would
try to run through a train they had stopp-
ed and that was enough for them.
But if brave John Malcom was not
foolhardy, neither did he wish TO have
blood upon his hands. He realized that
strategy might save himself. the engine
and cars and all on board, where defiance
would precipitate ruin. So when the liant
ern OF the conductor signalled him to 90
ahead he looked at the sea of human faces
crowding around and blocking the track,
the waving of defiant and clenched hands,
listened to the tumultuous outpourings of
malice and appeared to hesitate. Then,as
if having made up his mind not to at
tempt the desperate task of forcing a way
he rang the bell and slowly backed the
train, giving all to understand that he had
abandoned going, and laundering cheers
of victory rang from the mass of human
throats. But it was not so. Before any
could recover from surprise at the unex-
tpected result, before anyone could realize
he true situation, the engine reversed, the
throttle thrown wide open, swift headway
gained and with the bell ringing and
whistle screaming, the train shot past the
mob and whirled upon its way out into the
darkness and out of the way of immediate
danger. The excitement that followed
was next to terrible. Never could more
angry set of men have been found. They
yelled, stamped, swore, shook their fists in
inpotent rage and vowed the most tiend-
ish vengeance. Lightning whispers flew
along the line and told the story to brave
John Malcom, but he only smiled.
They'll have time to cool down before
we get back" he said to his fireman, and
l don't think there is anything to fear.
But | hope my wife won't hear it, Any
how, all we have to do is to attend to busi-
ness and look out for breakers ahead"
The run was made in safety. The re-
turn began. A few miles distant from the
end of the journey was culvert, SPAN
ming deep and rocky ravine-the most
dangerous place of all the road, as it came
Immediately after rounding sharp curve,
and with the view consequently confined
to very limited space. The night was
excessively tempestuous and dark. A
thick, heavy mist arose from the neighbor
ing river, and covered everything as with
a pail. 1t was SO dense that the headlight
had scarcely brilliancy enough to penetrate
it.
If anything is wrong at Iron Gulch,
as the place is known, God help US and
all on board" said the engineer TO the
fireman.
"Slow up, John, and jump off, and I'll
run over alone. have no wife or child to
mourn for me- was the generous res
ponse.
"Never! If John Malcom has to 60
down, it will be doing his duty. | should
never dare to look my brave and dear little
wife in the face again if | turned coward.
But thank you Tom, from the bottom of
: my heart. There are few who would
make such an ofer.'
The engineer glanced at his watch and
saw that he had no time to waste if he
would make important connections. The
loss of but half dozen minutes would
cost perpexing and expensive delay to
numerous passengers. He thought OF his
often boast that he was never behind
time, and, putting on still more, dashed
forward to face danger, and if it was to be
: so, die at his post.
Now, Tom,' he said. keep a sharp
lookout, and be ready for anything"
5 Gall right. Great God! II woman with
. a child standing directly over the culvert,
S and wildly waving us back"
1t was too late to stop with certainty.
u But half blinded and dizzy with fear, John
t Malcom reversed the engine and put on
D the air brakes.
= But, as if maddened by restraint, the
/ huge monster struggled against them. As