Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-07-06

and women ig the carriages, talking, read ing, smoking, unconscious that their lives were all in the hold of one man whom now strongly suspected to be mad. I knew by his look that he remembered their lives were in his hand He glanced at the clock. Twenty miles," he muttered. "Throw on more coal, Jack; the fire is going out" did it Yes, did it There was some thing in the face of that man could not re- sist Then l climbed forward and shook him by the shoulder "Markley," shouted, you are running this train into the jaws of death" Il know it, he replied, quietly. --s Your mother is aboard this train" "Heavensr
 He staggered to his feet But even then he did not remove his eyes from the gauge Make up the fire," he commanded, and pushed in the throttle valve. "1 will not"
 Make up the fire, Jack" very quietly Il will not You may murder yourself and mother, but you shall not murder me" He looked at me. His kindly gray eyes glared like thosc of a wild beast But he controlled himself moment
 '1 could throw you off this engine and make short work of you," be said. But look here, do you see the station yonderg' 1 saw a faint streak against the sky about five miles ahead
 ''I was told to reach that station by 6 o'clock" he continued "The express train meeting us is due now. I ought to have laid by for 1t at Dufreme. I was told to come on The track is a single one. Unless can make the siding at the station in three minutes we shall meet it in yonder hollow"
 "Somebody's blundera" I said.
 "Yes, l think so"
 said nothing. threw on coal; if had had petroleum shoull have thrown 1t on. But never was calmer in my life. When death actually stares q man in the face it often frightens him into the most perfect compos- ure Markley pushed the valve still further The engine began to giyo a strange painting sound. Far off to the south 1 could see the bituminous black smoke Of train. Hooked at Marllley inquiringly. He nodded. It was the expressI stopped to the fire
 "No more" he said.
 looked across tho clear summer sky at the gray smoke of the peaceful little village, and beyond that at black line coming closer, closer, across the sky. Then turned to the watch. In one minute more-well, I confess sat down and buried my face in my hands don't think l tried to pray. had a con fused thought of mangled, dying men and women-mothers and their babies
 There was n terrible shriek from the en- zine, against which Ileaned. Another in my face. A hot, hissing tempest swept past me looked up. We were on the siding, and the express had gone by. It grazed our end car rlage in passing. In a sort of delirious joy sprang up and shouted to Markley He did not speak. He sat there immovable and cold as stone. l 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 l turned away.
 Yes, gentlemen, I have been in many a railway accident, but l have always consid- cred that the closest shave ever had.
 What was the blunderm
 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 conf dence of the company after that as he. By his coolness and nerve he had saved hundred