Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-02-13

something in the face of that man that
| could not resist. Then / climbed
forward and shook him by the shout
der.
Blakely ? l shouted, ''you are
running this train into the laws of
death
II know it," quietly.
"'Your wife and children are on it,
"'My God !
He staggered to his feet But even
then he did not move his eve from the
gauge.
In q minute
!" Make up the fire, he said and push
ed in the trottle valve.
81 will not
Make up the fire, Mr.. Santley,"
very quietly.
az will not. You may murder your
selfand you wife and boy, but you shall
not murder me-
" He looked at me. His kindly gray
eyes glared like those of a wild beast.
But he controlled himself in a mo-
ment.
:" L could throw you out of this door,
and make short work Of it. But
look here; do you see the station yon-
der !?
. saw a thin wisp of smoke against
the sky, about five miles in advance.
az was told to reach that station by
six o'clock. The express train meeting
us in due now. | ought to have laid by
for it at Sunbury. I was told to come
on. The track is single one. Unless
| can make the siding at that station in
three minutes, we will meet it yonder
the hollow.
" Somebody blundered? o.
Yes, l think So
"' And you obeyed?"
" He said nothing | threw on coal.
If had had petroleum, I would have
thrown it on. But never was calmer
in my life. When death has a man ac-
tually by the throat it sobers him.
Blakely 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.
Il looked at Blakely inquiringly. He
nodded. 1t was the express.
" | stopped to the fire.
mo more, he SAID.
II 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; / sat down
and buried nay 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, efa merciful
God. Little Charley with his curls and
pretty suit
There was terrific shrek from the
engine, against which leaned. An
other in my face. A hot tempest past
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
ley ? / cried.
" But he did not speak. He sat there
immoveable, 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 come 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 2? A
blunder of the director, or the telegra phi
operatorY'
Il don't know. Blakely made light
Of it afterwards, and kept the secret.
These railway men mpst have strong
esprit tie 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"