New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-05-02
I heaped in the coal at int e,vals, as

I heaped in the coal at intervals, as
he babe me. / did it because | was
oppressed by an odd sense o. duty,
which never had in my ordinary
brain work. Since then have under
stood how it is that dull, ignorant
men, without a spark of enthusiasm,
show such heroism as soldiers, fire.
men, and cap sains Of wrecked vessels.
1t is this oyerpoWering sense of rou-
tine duty. It's finer thing than
sheer bravery in my idea. However,
| began to think that Markley was
mad-laboring under some frenzy
from drink, though I had never seen
him touch liquor.
He did not move hand or foot. ex-
cept IN the mechanical control OF his
engine, his eye going from the gauge to
e.timepiece with steadiness that
was more terrible and threatening
than any gleann OF insanity would
have been. Once he glaled back at the
long train sweeping after the engine
with headlong speed that rocked it
from side to side.
One could imagine he saw the hun
dreds of men and women in the car
riages talking, reading, smoking, UNI
conscious that their lives were all in
the hold Of one man whom I now
strongly suspected to be mad. 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
gong OUT
did it. Yes, l did it. There was
something in the face OF that man I
could not resist. Then [ climbed for
ward and shook him by the shoulder.
"Markley," I shouted, "you are run
ming this train into the jaws OF
DEATH"
81 know it, he replied, quietly.
"Your mother is aboard the trainp'
Heavens" He staggered to his
feet. But even then he did not move
his eyes from the gauge.
Make up the fire. he commanded,
and pushed in the throttle valve.
II will not"
make up the fire, JACK. very quiet
ly.
~ will not. You may murder your
self and your mother, but you shall
not murder me-
He looked at me. His kindly gray
eyes glared like those of a wild beast.
But he controlled himself in a mo-
ment.
Il could throw you off this engine
and make short work OF you" ne
said. But, look here; do you see the
station yonder?"
lsaw q 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 Du
irene. was told to come on. The
track is a single one Unless I can
make the siding at that station ii
three minutes, we shall meet in yon
der hollow"
Somebody's blunder?" Said.
eyes, think so.''
said nothing. [ threw on coal, i
had had petroleum | would have
thrown it on. But | never was calm
er in my life. When death actually
stares a man in the face, it often
frightens him into the most perfect
comrosure. Markley pushed the
valve still further. The engine begar
to give strange painting sound. Eau
off to the south l could see the bitumi
| nous black smoke of a train. I look
ed at MarlSley inquiringly. He nod
ded. 1t was the express! I stopped
| to the fire.
| "NO more.' he said.
looked across the clear summer
sky at the gray smoke Of the peaceful
little village, and beyond that black
line coming closer, closer, across thu
sky. Then | turned to the watch. ii
one minute more-well, I confess Iisat
down and buried my face Ia nls
hands. [ don't think I tried to pray
had confused thought of q mass
OF mangled, dying men and women
mothers and their babies.
| There was q terrific shrek from the
engine, against which I leaned. An
other in my face. A hot, kissing tenn
pest swept past me. I looked up We
were on the siding and the express hssc
gone by 1t grazed our end carriage
IN passing. In sort Of delirious
| JOY SpCaHg u y ana shouted TO Mafk
ley. lie did not speak He sat there
lmmovable and cold as n stone.
went to the train and brought hi.
mother to HIM, and when he opened
his eyes and took the old lady's HAND
in his turned away.
| Yes, gentlemen, | have been IN
many a railway accident, but / have
always considered that the closest
call ever had.
What was the blunder9''
| don't know. Markley made light
OF it ever afterward and kept it Sc
cret, but no man on the line stood sc
high in the confidence OF the company
after that as he. By his GOODNESS and
nerve he had saved hundred lives.