The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-10-06

than any CLEAN of insanity would
have been. Once he glared back at
the long train sweeping after the en-
gine With a headlong speed that
rocked it from side to side
One could imagine he saw hundreds
of men andwomen it the carriages,
talking, reading, smoking, uncon-
scious that their lives were all in the
hold of one man whom l now strong
ly suspected to be mad. l knew by
his look thath remembered theirlives
were in his hand. He glanced at the
clock.
Twenty miles, he muttereds
sdThrow on more coal. Jack, the fire
is going out"
fdid it: Yes, 1 did it. There was
something in the face of that man l
could not resist. Then climbed for
ward and shook him by the shoulder.
"Markley," shouted, "you are rum
ming this train into the jaws of
DEATH"
81 know it, he replied, quickly.
"Your mother is aboard this train."
"Heavensp' He staggered to his
feet, but even then he did not remove
his eyes from the gage.
snake up the fire." Recommended,
sand push in the throttle valve"
II will not"
"Make up the fire, jack" very
quietly.
81 will not. You may murder your
self and mother, but you shall not
murder me-
He looked at me. His kindly gray
eyes glared like those of wild beast.
But he controlled himself in mo-
ment.
81 could throw you off this engine
and make short work of you," he
said. "But look here, do you see the
station yonder?''
saw faint streak against the sky
about five miles ahead.
81 was told to reach that station
by six O'clock" he continued. '"The
express train meeting us is due now.
ought to have laid by for it at Dun
IRENE. l was told to come on. The
track is single one. Unless can
make the siding at the station in
three minutes, we shall meet in yon-
der hollow"
"Somebody's blunder?" I said.
eyes, / think So"
said nothing. l threw on coal; if
/ had had petroleum l should have
thrown it on. But | never was calm
er in my life. When death actually
stares a man in the FACET often fright
ems him into the most perfect COM
posure. Markley pushed the valve
still further. The engine began to
give strange, painting sound. Far
off to the south l could see the btu
minous black smoke of a train. l
looked at Markley inquiringly. He
nodded. TWAS the express! Istooped
to the fire.
"No more" he said.
Hooked across the clear summer
sky at the gray smoke of the peacefui
little village, and beyond that at a
black line coming closer, closer across
the sky. Then l turned to the
watch. In one minute more
well, I confess 1 sat down and
buried my face in my hands. l don't
think I tried to pray. had a con-
fused thought of mangled, dying men
and women, mothers and their babies.
There was a terrific shrek from
the engine against which l leaned.
Another in my face A hot, kissing
tempest swept past us. looked up.
View on the siding, and the express
had gone by. 1t grazed our end car
in passing. In a sort of delirious JOY
I sprang up and shouted to Markley.
He did not speak. He sat there i'm
movable and cold as stone. [ went
to the train, and brought his mother
to him, and when he opened his eyes
and took the old lady's hand in his,
I turned away.
eyes, gentlemen, l have been in
many railway accidents, but | have
always considered that the closest
shave l ever had.
"What was the blunder?"
"I don't know. Markley made
light of it ever afterward, and kept
it secret, but no man on the line
stood so high in the confidence of the
company after that as he. By his
GOODNESS and nerve he had saved q
hundred lives.