Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-08-18
A NARROW ESCAPE,

| elltS Ill L ellllSNlNduld Town, HUI
taste for railroading and boyish
ambition to become driver, although
l had been educated for loftier pur-
suits,
During my college vacation 1lounged
about the station almost constantly,
making friends with the trainmen, and
especially with driver named Silas
Markley. became much attached to
this man, Notwithstanding he was 40
years old and by no means o sociahle
fellow.
He was my ideal of a brave, skill
full, thoroughbred driver, and 1 looked
up to him us something of a hero.
He was not married man, but lived
alone with his old mother. I was q
frequent visitor at their house, and ]
think they both took quite fancy to
me in their quiet, undemonstratiYe
way.
When Markley's fireman left him,
induced him to let me take his place
during the remainder of my vacation.
He hesitated for some time before he
consented to humor my boyish within,
but he finally yielded, and l was in
|
idleness anil the Overworked state OF
brain, craved the excitement as 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 I be-
came an expert fireman, and liked
it exceedingly, for the excitement more
than compensated for the rough work
l was required to do.
But there came time when I got my
fill of excitement. Mrs. Markley one
day formed plan which seemed to
give her good deal of happiness. 1t
was her sons birthday, and she wanted
to go down to Philadelphia in the train
without letting him know anything
about it, and there purchase present
for him. She took me into her con-
fidence and had me assist her. I ar.
ranged the preliminaries and got her
into the train without being noticed by
Marley, who, of course, was busy with
his engine.
The old lady was in high glee over
the bit of innocent deception she wa.
practicing on her son. She ehjoihed
| !
left her and took my place.
1t was a midsummer day and the
weather was delightful. The trAin was
neither an express nor an accGmmoda.
ton, but one which stopped at the
principal stations on the route. On
this occasion, as there We're two specials
on the line, it was run by telegraph
that is, the driver has simply to obey
the instructions which he receives at
each station, so that he is put as ma.
chine in the hands of one controller
who directs all trains from central
point and has the whole line under his
eye If the driver does not obey tc
the least title his orders, it is destruc
ton to the whole.
Well, we started without mishap and
up to time, and easily reached the first
station in the time allotted to us. As
we stopped there boy ran alongside
with the telegram, which he handed to
the driver. The next moment heard
o smothered exclamation from Markley
$50 back" he said to the boy; "tell
Williams to have the message repeated
there's a mistake"
The boy dashed off; in ten minutes
he came flying back. Had it repeated ;
he painted, Civilians is storming al
you; says there's no mistake, and you'd
best get on" He thrust the second
message up as he spoke.
Markley read it and stood hesitatinq
for half minute. There was dismay
and utter perplexity in the expression
of his face as he looked at the Telegram
and the long train behind him. Hi,
lips moved as if he was calculating
chances; and his eyes suddenly quailet
as if he saw death at the end of the
calculation. was watching him with
considerable curiosity. ventured t.
ask him what was the matter and wha
he was going to do.
"I'm going to obey" he replied curt
ly. The engine gave long shrek o
horror that made me start as it were
Markley's own voice. The next in
slant we rushed out of the station ant
dashed through low-lying farms at {
speed which seemed dangerous to me
"Put in more coal" said Markley.
/ shoveled it in, but took time.
ave are going very fast, Markley."
He did not answer. His eyes wer,
fixed on the steam engine, his lips clos
shut.
> "More COAL" he said.
/ threw it in.
The fields and houses began to fly
past half seen. We were nearing Du
IRENE, the next station. Markley's ey,
went from the gauge to tho face of tn,
timepiece and back. He moved like al
automaton. There was little NOR
meaning in his face.
"More" he said, without turning hi!
eye.
I took up the shovel-hesitated
"Markley, do you know that you ar
going at the rate of 60 miles an hour /?
"Coalp
I was alarmed at the cold, sterl
rigidity Of the man. His pallor wa
becoming frightful. I threw in tn,
coal. At least we must stop at Du
IRENE. That was the next halt. The
little town approached. AS the frs
house came into view, the engine SEN
it's shrieks of warning; it grew louder
louder.
We dashed into the street, up to thu
station, where O group of passenger
waited, and passed it without the hal
of an instant, catching glimpse of thu
appalled, faces and the waiting crowd
Then we were in the fields again. Th'
speed now became literally breathless
the furnace glared red hot. The heat