Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-02-03

! rived
The special passenger train referred
/ to was, as knew. for / had heard IL
reported by wire, composed of an en-
gine, superintendent's private car,
and directors car, filled with the OFF,
! GERS OF the road with their wives, all
of whom had been down the line on a
pleasure trip. TO inspect the new sta
ton and grounds OF our eastern termi-
nus. and were now returning with all
haste.
Il heard the superintendent tele-
graphic request TO the dispatcher TO
give them the right of way a. far as
practicable. and in accordance with
this instruction he WAS now holding
back the freight.
Il sat sad Y watching the approach
OF the special, and marking the quick
time they were making, as the tele-
graphic reports one by one succeeded
each other, rs the train passed station
after station-and still bemoaning my
hard fate
Il sat there sometime until | was
disturbed by the entrance Of my little
boy, who had been busy playing out
side; he came in high glee. eNclaim-
ing; Papa. Papa train coming.
mo, dear, not just yet. Wait five
minutes, and then we will see them 20
flying by, answered him with
smile. knowing how pleased h. would
be TO see the rushing train.
mo, now, papa. now can see the
smoke-come out, quick" To please
him complied. and looking up the
line in the direction Of the approach
ing special which had passed the last
station east OF me. and must now he
within five miles Of our station.
THAT way. papa Look through
the tree-seey
Il turned and saw, rising above the
trees, the black smoke which denoted
the approach Of n train. In an in
stant understood the situation. The
freight was approaching; the freight
which was ordered 10 remain nj \ -
10 cross the passenger train. For ~
moment | was daled, but only for "a
moment. for knew something must
be done, and that quickly, to avert
an awful catastrophe.
Below my station, some hundred
wards or so, round a curve which hid
il from sight, was switch which
opened upon side track running by
the station another hundred yards,
and which would hold the freight
could but reach and open il before
the freight arrived there. But must
also stop the passenger train FOR fear
the freight would not get on In time.
Rushing into the station ] grasped
my signal tiags. put the blue in it,
proper place. but not daring To trust
to that to stop them, for fear the en-
gineer. having his orders TO run past
INV station, and at the high rate Of
speed be was coming, might not see
il. | took the red flag and the boy in
my arms, and placing him in the mid
die Of the platform, put the flag IN his
hands
Arthur said sternly, do just as
papa says. now, and We will save the
trains. Stand right here, DO not
move except to wave this flag, so"
giving him the up and down motion.
Wave it, my brave boy, and do not
stop till papa gets back"
His blue eyes filed with tears Mt
my manner, and giving him kiss to
reas.ure him, turned Rnd ran for
the switch Could reach il in timer
must. over the ties ran for life,
for lives; for if the trains came in col
lision at that high rate OF speed, many
lives must be sacrificed.
AS turned the curve looked
back at the station. There the little
fellow stood, Just where ! had pla I'd
him, and the flag. yes the flag was
waving. up and down, mp and down,
n fast as the stout little arms could
move it. and away down the line a.
far a. the eye could reach, ! could see
the special passenger train coming.
Now for il, Looking and running
ahead again | saw the freight.
THANK God, ] shall reach the
switch first, cried, and ran on. Ny
switch-key was ont Of my pocket as ]
ran, and in my hand. i moment more
aud the switch was reached, and the
train thousand feet behind ia the
race for life. To insert the key. unlock
and throw the rails upon the siding,
was the work Of all instant.
Yes, | was discovered by the en-
gineer Of the train-heard the shrill
whistle for brakes. the danger signal,
saw the engine reversed. the brake
men scrambling over the tops Of the
cars setting the brakes. and knew all
was done that could possibly be done
to slacken the speed Of the heavy
train.
"In Inoment they were within
hailing distance, the fireman was upon
my side. down upon the steps Of his
engine making ready to jump.
Stick 10 your engine. cried.
Run upon the siding. Tell the en-
gineer 10 stick and stop her for his
life
1T il wonderful that he heard me,
much more ecomprehended by meaning
through the rush and roar Of the
train, and hiss Of escaping steam. as
the engine rolled by at greatly reduced
speed; but ] saw him climb back and
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