Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1888-07-11

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farms at q speed which seemed dam
gerous to me. " s-.,
PUT in more coal, said Markley.
shoveled it in, but took time.
I'VE are going very fast, Markley."
He did not answer. His eyes were
fixed on the steam gauge, his lips close
shut. .. s*s
''More COAL" he said. I threw it in.
The fields and houses began to fly
past half seen. We were nearing Du-
IRENE, the next station. Markley's
eye went from the gauge to the face of
the timepiece and back. He moved
like an automaton. There was little
more meaning in his face. 81
"More!" he said without turning his
eye. took up the shovel hesitated.
''Markley, do you know that you are
going at the rate of sixty miles an
hour?"
'Coalr'
was alarmed at the stern, cold
rigidity of the man. His pallor was
becoming frightful. I threw in the
coal. At least we must stop at Du-
IRENE. That was the next halt. The
little town approached. As the first
house came into view the engine sent
its shrieks of warning; it grew louder
louder.
We dashed into the street, up to the
station, where group of passengers
waited, and passed it without the halt
of an instant, catching a glimpse of the
appalled, faces and the waiting crowd.
Then we were in the fields again. The
speed now became literally breathless,
the furnace glared red hot. The heat,
the velocity, the terrible nervous strain
OF the man beside me seemed to weight
the air. I found myself drawing long
stertorous breaths like one drowning.
heaped in the coal at intervals as
he babe me. did it because was op-
pressed by an odd sense Of duty, which
never had in my ordinary brain work.
Since then have understood how it is
that dull, ignorant men, without
spark of enthusiasm. show such hero
ism as soldiers, fremen and captains
of wrecked vessels. It is this over
towering sense of routine 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 had
never seen him touch liquor.
He did not move hand or foot, except
in the mechanical control of his engine,
his eyes going from the gauge to the
time-piece with steadiness that was
more terrible and threatening than any
CLEAN of insanity would have been.
Once he glared back at the long train
sweeping after the engine with head
long speed that rocked it from side to
side.
One could imagine he saw hundreds
OF men and women in the carriages,
talking, reading, smoking, unconscious
that their lives were all in the hold of
one man whom l now strongly sus-
pected 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
going out"
I did it. Yes, I 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 rum
ming this train into the jaws of DEATH
Il know it, he replied, quietly.
'7our mother is aboard this train"
Heavens" 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 Unbelievable
Il will not
make up the fire, jack" very
quietly.
Il will not. You may murder your
self and mother, but you shall not MUIR
der me-"
He looked at me. His kindly gray
eyes glared like those of a wild beast.
But he controlled himself moment
Il 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.
II was told to reach that station by
six O'clock" he continued. The ex-
press train meeting US is due now.
ought to have laid by for it at Du-
IRENE. 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 blunder?" said.
Eyes, l think so.''
l said nothing. threw on coal; if l
had had petroleum should have
thrown it on. But never was calmer
in my life. When death actually stares
a man in the face, it often frightens
him into the most perfect composure.