The Irish standard., 1886-06-19
THE LIMITED EXPRESS.
by WINTHROP BURROUGHS.

by WINTHROP BURROUGHS.
In the winter of 1888 I was working on
a farm in the vicinity of Duluth, Ca, g
small town OH the A. and G. Division OF
the r. and D. r. r. about twenty-five
miles due north Of Atlanta.
One day received telegram inform.
ing me that my mother was dying. The
next train did not stop at Duluth. For
hours walked the platform almost be.
side myself with grief and despair.
I took no note of time. Still it seemed to
me as though days, nay years had passed,
when happening to glance at the small
silver watch carried, I saw that it was
five minutes to Z, and hence lacked thirty
five minutes till the express would be due.
OF the full import of the desperate re-
solve that at that moment formed within
my brain do not believe that I myself
was at the time conscious.
Duluth was station with several hun
dred feet of side track. This latter was
built next the depot for the convenience
of loading and unloading freight. Oppo-
site the depot, and on tho other side Of
the two tracks, the side track and the
main track, that rim parallel to each
other, was long platform about two feet
i'll height. This lay along the edge Of the
main track, and was for the convenience
of passengers in getting OH and off trains
AS took in all this. and also noted the
fact that the coming express would whirl
directly by this platform, and recalled
rule had previously read in the depot,
that trains passing through stations with
out stopping must slacken their speed to
fifteen miles an hour think it was then
that the desperate plan formed in uy
brain.
walked across the tracks and into the
agents office, made q request of the boy
that he would keep my 9a1ise and other
articles until called for, and then return
ed to the platform.
BY this time the dusk had begun to
gather. saw no one else about. APP
parentlX, was the only one who had
any interest in trains that did not stop. I
had pulled off my overcoat and kept it
with my valise, wishing to be freed Of all
possible weight. I kept my hands deep
down in my pockets and as warm as I
could. There must be no numbness about
them when they came to do their work.
Suddenly as l restlessly paced to and
fro sharp whistle pierced the deepening
gloom. L knew at once what it meant.
With one mighty effort braced myself
up knowing we'll that not one muscle
must let quiver.
On came the rushing monster, and in
moment more could distinctly see the
headlight shining like a great luminous
eye in the dark.
Again the whistle sounded, but this
time in a succession of short sharp
shrieks the meaning of which I knew
only too well. There was something on
the track
Straining my eyes through the gather
ing gloom could just make out the out
lines of a herd of cattle running ahead on
the track. l could see them plainly
moment after in the glare cast by the
headlight
The train had evidently slackened it's
the cattle had leaped clear of the track it
miles an hour.
The track once more clear it seemed
full moment ere the engineer began to in
crease his speed. The engine was by this
time abreast of the platform
Bracing myself upon the toes of my left
foot, with my right well in advance and
firmly planted, my body inclined forward
and both hands extended, the right some
little distance farther out than my left.
1 waited with the desperation born of in
tense dispair.
The train was still not moving more |
than ten miles an hour. If it had been l |
am well aware of the fact that would not !
now be perusing these lines.
noted every lighted window as it went |
by me, every unlighted recess knew be-
tokened platform.
My Intention was to spring for the rear
platform of the sleeper, thinking it best to
risk my chances there, with only a fall up
on the track if | missed my grasp than
tall between the wheels if I tried it be-
tween the cars and tailed.
I could count every beat of my
heart as stood there waiting for the last
window of the sleeper, yet otherwise not
. muscle faltered.
Along flashed the window, and then,
with an appealing cry to the Father of all,
sprang forward.
Almost Immediately felt the cold iron
If the platform railing within my grasp,
Dut within the same moment realized the
awful truth that my feet were hanging
bare of support 1t was without doubt
grip for life that depended alone upon the
strength of my hands and arms
AL my life l had been used to hard
work. My muscles were, therefore, we'll
developed. Besides had been noted for
he unusual force of my grip even from
childhood. But at the same time realized
hat even the muscular power of the giant
would not long have held out against such
| terrible strain. On flew the train, for
~ this time the engineer had greatly in
;reased his speed. The midnight air
'ushed by me, striking my face as though
With thousand lashes 1t required every
practice of will of which was capable to
etain my clutch upon the railing. Ny
,ody had fallen across the slips, and as
hus lay in somewhat recumbent posi-
ion could thus partially brace myself
With one hip and one elbow. But for this
would long ago have released my clasp.
Suddenly, just as the overstrained mus
les and mind were both about to give
vay, and full realization of the awful
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