The Washington critic., 1886-06-21

eDtCtIts OH luc TlBnt VI ~ TOSU hnt
great trees of the marsh woods. On.
the left of the track was the ravine,
whose walls were as straight as stone
could fall. The rocky bottom OF this
ravlnc was fully 200 feet below the
rails, which were scarcely ten feet dis
tant from its brink.
at had always been dangerous, but
the superintendent said It couldn't he
helped. The river, which flowed
parallel with the track, was rs near the
rails on the other side, and bridge of
trestle work half mile in length
was too expensive. So the danger was
unavoidable. The directors agreed
with him and so did the needless pas
sengers who gave the dangers Of their
journey little thought 50 long as they
reached their destinations on time.
'The sharp eyes of George Martin
saw the straight rails of the track as
they came to point in the distance.
They also dlscerned outlined against
the lesser blackness of the horizon, the
black outlines of the water tank But
they failed to see the four determined.
looking men crouched in the shadow
of the woods. Neither did they see
the loose dirt, freshly stirred on the
track at the curve. They did not see
that the rails had been moved; that
they we're laid unfastcned on the ties
so that the slightest movement would
scatter them like straws before the
hurricane, while the train would dash
with lightning speed over the embank.
ment into the ravine below. On came
the train, nearer and nearer. The four
men drew closer and closer together,
waited and even held their breaths in
soul lcommuning anxiety. In one sec.
ond all would be over.
n
"The newspapers issued the follow.
ing afternoon contained the following
dispatch:
Z" Express train No. 10 went over
the embankment at Long Point Water
Tank at midnight last night Engineer
Martin was in charge. There were
over forty persons killed by the fall,
and many others of the hundred who
were on the train will die from injuries
inflicted"
Here the Watch stopped.
"Well," inquired its listeners in
unison, chow did the engineer come
out of the accident?"
II almost forgot that" continued
the Watch. Just as the engine was a
few yards from the loosened rails he
looked at me. As he did so his expe-
rienced eyes caught glimpse of the
murderous arrangement. With the
strength of giant and the speed of
thought he pulled back the lever re-.
| versing the engine, called to his fire.
man to jump, and then he jumped him
self"
"I'm glad of that" observed the
Clarionet with a sigh of relief. "Was
he hurt?"
"Not in the least; but the jar stop.
| ped me at that very second"
How did you come here2"
II was stolen from his bureau
drawer, for after that my Queen said l
should never work another day."
| "Stolen?" exclaimed the Clarionet;
"why don't you tell the people whom
you belong to?"
Cant make them understand.
II can tell them," bravely cried the
Clarionet, land will, right off,"
"Have you any watches to sell?" In
terrupted voice from within the
store.
"Yes," replied the pawnbroler,
reaching for the relator of this tale.
"Why" exclaimed the customer,
chats mine. 1t was stolen from me
nome time ago, and can prove it,"
A second later policeman entered
the door, and it was not long before
the watch was slowed comfortably
away in George Martins pocket, al
most breaking its case with the vehem
ence of its joyous ticking.
Well" observed the Clarionet tc
his fellows after quiet had settled
down like dust upon the collection, II
for one, am glad"
$50 are we," replied the other col
laterals sincerely and in unison.
$50 are we--every one."
And think they were.