Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-07-12
A NARROW ESCAPE.

Well, gentlemen, if you wish it, I'll
tell YOU the story. When L was
youth of 10, and lived with my par
ents in Pennsylvania town, / had a
tasta for railroading and boyish
ambition to become a driver, although
1 had been educated for loftier pur-
suits.
During my college vacation / lounged
about the station almost constantly,
making friends with the trainmen, and
especially with driver named Silas
Markley. j became much attached to
this man, Notwithstanding he was 40
years old and by no means soclable
fellow.
He was my ideal of brave, skill
full, thoroughbred driver, and looked
up to him as something of hero.
He was not married man, but lived
alone with his old mother. / was O
frequent visitor at their house, and l
think they both took quite fancy to
me in their quiet, undemonstrative
way.
When Markley's fireman left him, /
induced him to let me take his place
during the remainder of my vacation.
|
consented to humor my boyish whim,
but he finally yielded, and ! was in
great glee. The fact was that in my
idleness and the overworked state OF
brain, craved the excitement rs a
confirmed drunkard does liquor, and,
besides, had such longing dreams of
the fiery ride through the hills, mount
ed literally on the iron horse. So / be-
came an expert fireman, and liked
it exceedingly, for the excitement more
than compensated for the rough work
was required to do,
But there came q time when L got my
fill of excitement. Mrs. Markley one
day formed q plan which seemed to
give her good deal Of happiness. II
was her sons birthday, and she wanted
to 90 down to Philadelphia in the train
without letting him know anything
about it, and there purchase o present
for him, She took me into her con
fidence and had me assist her, ! ar
ranged the prelimiparies and got hel
into the train without being noticed 10y
Markley, who, of course, was busy with
his engine,
The old lady was in high glee ovel
the bit of innocent deception she wal
practicing on her son. She enjoineC
me again not to tell Silas, and then
left her and took my place.
1t was midsummer day and th'
, weather was delightful. The train wa
) neither an express nor an accommoda
ton, but one which stopped ut TIN
principal stations ON the route. Oh
this occasion, as there were two special
on the line, it was run by telegraph
that is, the driver has simply to ODE.
the instructions which he receives a
each station, so that he is put as ma
! chine in the hands of one controller
who directs all trains from q centra
point and has the whole line under hi
eve. If the driver does not obey t
the least title his orders, it is destruC
ton to the whole.
Well, we started without mishap an
up to time, and easily re elched the firs
station in the time allotted to us. A
: we stopped there boy ran alongsid
! with the telegram, which he handed I
the driver. The next moment hear
: O smothered exclamation from Markley
"Go back" he said to the boy; "te
Williams to have the message repeated
there's mistake"
/, The boy dashed off; in ten minute
he came flying back. Had it repeated
/. he painted, civilians is storming
Z you; says there's no mistake, and you
: best get on" He thrust the secon
: message up as he spoke.
Markley read it and stood hesitatin
for half a minute. There was disma
! and utter perplexity in the expressic
of his face as he looked mt the telegra
and the long train behind him. H
lips moved as il he was calculatir
! chances; and his eyes suddenly quailt
: as il he saw death at the end of Il
. calculation. was watching him wit
considerable curiosity ventured
|, ask him what was the matter and VIII
he was going to do.
"Im going to obey" he replied cuI
ly. The engine gave q long shrek
horror that made me start as it we
Markley's own voice. The next
~ ns starft we rushed out of the station al
a. dashed through low-lying farms al
speed which seemed dangerous to m
"Put in more COAL" said Markley.
shoveled it in, but took time.
we are going very lhSC, markleys
He did not answer. His eyes we
fixed on the steam engine, his lips clio
shut.
more COAL" he said.
q threw il in.
The fields and houses began to
past half seen. We were nearing i
X freme, the next station. MarkIey's G
went from the gauge to the face of I
timepiece and back. He moved like
automaton. There was little me-
meaning in his face.
more r. he said, without turning
y, eye.
1 took up the shovel-hesitated.
q "Markley, do you know that you |
. going at the rate Of 60 miles an houl
49, "Coalp
M. 1 was alarmed at the cold, sts
riQidity of the man. His pallor '