The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-02-13

tulUB well Olfeu, Oudtlty, duu III VIII
take something worse than any snow
drif! L ever saw to stop u.s."
The fireman did his duty faithfully,
the official did not forget his prom
Use, and after few words OF explana-
tion and consolation to his wife, and
kisses for both her and the babies,
Dick Elliott stepped aboard his en-
gine, pulled open, whi5tled shrilly
and defiantly, and the Monarch
dashed away to battle with sleeted
tempest and darkness and dangers un-
known, amid the enthusiastic cheers
OF an admirihg crowd.
For miles the run was safe and
speedy. Without pausing, except for
water, they dashed by farm house
and through villages. whirling the
srow from the pilot as foam from the
swiftly driven prov of a steamer in
mid ocean.
well soon reach Marston," said
the engineer cheerily, ~and, il we
find nothing worse ahead, We will
make good time"
"Yes." replied the fireman. leaning
out Of the CAB and glancing some
what anxiously ahead; "but, you
know there is long and deep cut
between us and the station, and We
are certain to find trouble there"
Dick Elliott looked closely at the
steam guage, and noticed with pleas
ure the strong, smooth working
of the machinery. Tee speed al
which they were running was rapid
In the language Of the craft, the
Monarch was chawing her break
FAST" otherwise fast consuming coal
and creating steam proportion
ately. He knew by repeated tests
the power OF the monster ma.
chine. the perfect reliability OF its
make, and rather courted an eDcoun.
ter with the deeply piled and com
pac. drift he saw in the Marston Cut
1T will be more than ten feet o.
snow that will stop u.s." he muttereo
from between bis teeth and com
pressed lips, as he stood rea iy tc
pull her open" while nearing the
obstacle.
A moment later they were plung
ing into the drift, buried, and at {
standstill. Even the Monarch hac
found forces in nature it could no
overcome by any ordinary effort, an,
a shadow OF disappointment hitteC
over the face OF Elliott as he backed
out to increase speed and power for
second trial.
With tho rush Of a whirlwind thu
large engine dashed forward, pressed
deeply, gained a few feet, and theI
stopped, trembling n every joint, an,
the drivers revolving ceaselessly, th'
snow more compact mass ahead
and tumbling down upon them as
to forever bury them from sight
ave can't do it," said the fireman
For once we have met our match"
Have we?' answered Elliott. III
show you. Well go through or b
wreckedw
Again the Monarch was backed
steam increased, the throttle jamme'
open, and, as some monster wit
brow OF steel and jaws of flame, tn
engine forged ahead. struggled, shiv
cred, paused. fairly beloved as il
wrath, and then it shot ahead. leavin.
the track encumbered with the dis
placed snow. and dashed in tiiump
up TO the station at Marston.
The news sped backward along tn
wires. thrilling the hearts at HON,
bu:,beyond all was blank. Nothin
could be learned but rumors OF disas
ter, immense drifts, crippled train
and dangerous bridges "Tell the oil
man." said Elliott to the telegrap
operator, speaking OF the superinten
dent. that we will go through or bus
at will be bust for cert iin, an
you are a venturesome fool. Dick
was the answer.
The Monarch" waited not for OF
ders, and. the brave engineer failed
hear the comments upon its temptin
death. The track for a few mile
from the station was air line clea
and they rapidly passed from sigh
to accomplish the purpose or leay
the engine hopeless mass OF broke
and twisted iron, and two mangle
| and frozen corpses.
, Onward over the treacherous rail
through snow and ice, over crackin
culverts and rocking bridges, the
, sped on as IL driven by doom. III
q milestones seemed like the stones
, a graveyard. so swiftly they ran.
, the thickening gloom OF night, in
wild aud terrible storm OF drivin
sleet, beneath a moonless and starle,
sky, they sped on with furnac
q crowded, steam Kissing, and whist
screaming as demoniac laughter
running a mad race against time al
the elements and death! To thol
on the engine 1t was triumph in Il
present, no matter how dearly pu
chased in the future; TO those wi
: gazed at the fiery hearted monst
r dashing through the gloom 1t wa
. indeed az il the huruinp nit of II