Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-08-22

went on duty 1t was raining hard-a
cold, bitter rain, half slset, blown here
and there in gusts Of heavy wind. The
night itself was intensely black from
swiftly scudding clouds, broken now and
then by vivid glares of forked lighting
that seemed to tear them in twain. My
instruments were almost unmanageable
owing to the electricity in the air, but
about midnight a message came through
in jerks from the Division Superinten-
dent at Balton
"Opr., Carlyle.
Send Pond with extra east, to report
track at Farmsrsville for No. 2. Move
cautiously. "W. Is. Z.
Bond was Toms conductor, and |
handed the order to him Immediately.
An engine was ready at hand. and they
soon had the short train Of ten cars made
up in the yard. Just as the engine
backed down from the tank and was be-
ing coupled on, George BAllou, muffied
to his chin, and holding small leather
valise in his hand, came hurriedly aroud
the edge of the depot building. "Bond,
he said to the conductor, who stood there
with his lantern raised to give the signal
for starting, Il want to go down with
you. | must b, home to- night
Bond looked around rather surprised
at the request. "Were more than like
" to be wrecked before ever we get
there, Mr.. Ballou," he said quickly.
"But, If you must go, take your own
risk and get on. / don't care"
"Ballou, don't go!"-it was Toms
voice speaking very low. Take my
advice, for there's not one chance in ten
of our going through tonight without
trouble"
"Bat must CO." came the answer.
"My mother has been lila telegram
just received"
"Wait for NO. 3, then-.hat will be
nearer daylight"
eyes and it might be too late. No ]
must 60 to. night, danger or not. Surely
may risk it it. you can ~
al have no one to think of but myself"
The words were almost lost in the wind.
"You have Kate, and it is my duty to
go, not yours" And the brakeman re-
gre,fully turned away. Only moment
did Rallou gaze after his lantern, as it
went fickering down the wet platform
and then as the short train started he
stepped into the caboose, and l'aned
from my seat to watch Tom swing up on
the iron ladder and mount to the top.
Just exactly how it all happened to-
day do not know, but at the bottom Of
the second grade the earth had been
washed away from beneath the rails, and
they hung almost unsupported just below
the surface Of the water. laundering
down the grade in the rain and night,
every brakeman at his post on the top,
the great freight engine plunged into
the water and went crashing down. Car
after car was piled up there and hurled
to one side down into the rayine. Cling
ing TO a brake of the back of the engine,
and peering ahead through the storm,
his hands wrenched clear by the shock,
Tom was hurled outward into the air.
The crash stunned him, but the cold
water into which he fell, revived him
again, and he crawled out from the de-
bris and worked his way back towards
what should be the rear end Of the train.
When the first terrible crash came, the
caboose had been pitched violently for
ward and then flung down, and now
hung tremblingly suspended upon a
single timber of the culvert, which trem-
bled and threatened each moment 10
part and let the battered car fall on to
the ragged rocks below.
"Is there anyone hurt Cal !" Tom
asked, anxiously, as he finally found the
conductor standing alone in the rain be.
side the track.
"No; all out safe, l think close call
though, Tom awful wreck l never saw
worse in thirty years =
"Help me help"
The cry rang out shrill and agonizing
from the suspended caboose below them.
"Help I'm wedged in Quick"
1t was Ballou's voice beyond doubt.
"Give me the axe" and seizing the
weapon Tom sprang out upon the tot
tering car and dropped down through a
shattered window. He knew the slen-
der, trembling timber could not susta n
that weight long. He knew he was 60
ng to almost certain death. He knew
a moments delay might rid him of one
who had won from him the woman he
loved. 1t was a moment for vengeance,
but he forgot it all. He knew mo-
ment's DELAY and all of GEORGE Rallou