The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-07-14

49,
began to ooze through tho pores OF tho
young engineer. as he felt the bridge
sway and tremble beneath the weight
Of the ponderous machine. Then
Merciful Heaven! sudden. thunder
ing crash Tho "Arctic" bounded
back. then plunged ahead. with speed
increased and with Its living burden
left behind. Quick rs lightning flash
Walter Harndon reversed his engine.
applied the brakes. and ran back TO The
edge of the trestle. The second car
had broken through and was standing
on one end. while the next had struck
against IL and thus been checked In its
pcrilous career. Shrieks OF pain and
fear began to be heard rs Walter
brought his engine to halt. and in an
instant the thought darted through his
mind that the superintendent and his
family were in the second car /.
Fortunately he was familiar with the
spot and Selling On axe and. bar he
sprang down the emba nkment and
soon rea chcd the lower end OF the up
turned car In response to tho super
intendent's we'll known voice from
within. no began cutting with all his
might to make an opening for the es-
cape Of the wounded and frightened
o occupants.
Thank God II you are safc." cried
Mr.. Webster. as soon as Walter APP
peared.
'.Are you hurt, sir9"
| ''My foot Is fastened beneath this
seat. and believe my arm Is broken"
was the reply.
.Are tho ladies safe?" asked Wal
ter.
and 1 can't bear this pain much
longer" groaned the superintendent.
| During this time many of the passen-
gers had escaped by means Of the door
in the upper end of the car, and large
numbers from the other coaches soon
offered their help and encour agement
| in the work of rescue. 1t seemed an
age before the opening was large
enough for person to crawl through.
but as soon as possible Walter pushed
himself in and with few blows releas-
ed the wounded official.
See to the ladies first" said Mr..
Webster, and with beating heart,
Walter took up the unconscious Lillian
and bore her to the fresh reviving air.
where she soon recovered. He then
assisted Mrs. Webster. and with the
help OF another man the superinten-
dent was removed from tho car and car
ried where medical aid could be render
cd. II was found that no lives h al
been lost in the accident. and that Mr..
| Webster was the most seriously
| wounded.
| This, disaster. Of course put an end
to the excursion. and another engine
was sent for To take the train back to
Its starting place. The company de-
clded to build a substantial bridge be-
fore any further attempt was made to
open the road. and when 1t was done
there was very little ado about opening
the Southern Branch
A few weeks after the accident.
Walter Harndon was invited to the
Webster mansion. He was shown to
n room where Mr.. Webster sa. in
reclining chair. surrounded by pillows
and cushions. In the same room were
Mrs Webster and Lillian.
| If had listened to you," said tho
superintendent IL should not now be
in this condition. l wanted TO ask
what reason YOU had for supposlng the
the bridge unsafe"
Il saw the men put in timber that
thought was unsound. 1 mentioned It
TO Mr.. Huntington. but he answered
mo sharply aud said II was his business
and not mine"
Huntington Is too careless and
hasty. / never liked him. have sent
word TO him in consequences OF this
disaster. the directors will accept his
resignation. and nov, Walter we want
yon TO take his place.
This announcement WAS so sudden
aud unexpected that Walter did not
know for moment what to answer
He glanced toward Lillian. whose eyes
were fixed upon him. aud there was
something In tho look she gave him
which made his heart throb and his
cheeks burn. But that look ncrved
him to reply. with his characteristic
confidence anil promptness:
''Yes. slrJ l accept the position"