Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1885-10-15
A FIREMAN'S ADVENTURE.


"Many ana varied are the expert
ences of railroad men, says writer
in the Chicago Times, yet L do not
remember ever to have heard or read
of ANYTHING Ia that line surprising IN
IFS thrilling character a story related
TO the writer by an old fireman friend,
now IN Mexico, ! think. Certainly
nothing in my own experience begins
tn compare with it for that creeping
sensation of horror which one feels
when facing death ia shocking
form. with no companion near al
hand for mutual encouragement aud
advice.
'My friend is of rowing dispo-
sition, and has fired on many different
roads, in Missouri, Texas, Arizona;
California, and for time IN Central
America. and mis- experiences have
not been few. The last time we met,
seated comfortably by the fire, com-
pairing notes he finally remarked:
but of all the adventures which have
fallen TO my lot thus far NOT one apN
prosches in terror night / once put
in on q certain road Ia Missouri.
Even to this day it makes me shudder
10 think OF it. and sometimes rouSes
me from my sleep at night in a perfect
SILVER. At the time speak OF was
regular man on splendid engine
the engineer was clever fellow, and
nv run, although q long one OF lo5
miles. was good one, as at the end
we laid over next day, returning on
the third, and the pay was good. Our
Irregular train was the cannon BALI
express. which usually carried few
passengers and did moi stop at the
smaller stations only on signal Well,
we pulled out us usual al 9;3O one
dark night. bound west. About sixty
miles out there was road crossing
whore we had orders to stop a few
minutes longer than usual for small
party of tourists. While the engineer
was oiling around he was approached
by one of the excursionlsts, and was
pleasantly surprised to recognize IN
HIM an engineer whom he had for
merly known in the east. Not hay-
ing seen or heard from him In several
years, ne invited him on tie engine,
where the conversation
COULD BE CONTINUED.
by the time the next Stopping point
was reached my engineer had learned
from his friend that another old ac-
qualntance was one Of the excursion
party, and as his friend was perfectly
competent and offered 10 run TO the
next Stopping point, he concluded to
90 on to the train and see him. Or
course this was contrary TO rales, but
is sometimes done between those who
have mutual confidence.
"After my engineer left and went
back the stranger pulled out IN first
class style, and we were soon under
full Roadway, running along several
miles all right, when he began gradu-
ally to increase the speed until we
were running at a fearful rate. AT
length I veutured to demonstrate with
him, aud for au answer be pulled her
wide open and gave ventto one OF the
most bIood-curdIiDg yells 1t hes ever
been my misfortune to hear from a
human throat. 1t actually seemed TO
chill the marrow in my bones. There
was 10 mistaking that wild, screech~
ing howl, ending with the h0rrld
laugh of demon. | realized the fact
IN an instant. | was alone on my en-
CINE with mailman for an engineer
I'VE afterward learned that insan-
ity was hereditary in his family, and
failing to pet the pulling of certain
fast train Which he had expec ted he
blooded over his disappointment till
II began to prey on his mind. His
physicians had according advised him
TO lay off for few months. take q
trip west and recuperate. He now
imagined himself in charge OF that
last train But TO my story. When
the startling truth that the man was a
maniac flashed to my mind, confess
that for few moments | was COM
pletely dszsd Next to the engine
was the through mail-car, which had
no door opening to the forward plat
form, and already we were going at
such speed that knew it was impoisl-
bic for anyone on the train to climb
ALONG THE NARROW LEDGE
at the side of the car to come to my
assistance, and this was up-grase.
Over the divide there was a long
downgrade, but luckily a straight
track. was aroused from my apathy
by the neineer ordering me IL icy
Zones which froze my blood to attend
10 my Ere | dared rot refuse He