The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-16

II
so rapid that II resembled the rapid
hRmmering on the anvil In black
smith shop.
For moment Lily was unneryed and
beWildered, but suddenly arousing her
self 10 action, she rushed into the Office
and seizing a piece Of friedrich that did
duty for q stove leg, she turned and
hurled II through the window OF the
caboose which was Just passing, An in,
slant later the red lights on the rear end
OF the train had disappeared around
curve In the cut, and the rattle OF the
runaway train quickly lessened in the
distance,
Lily's heart throbbed painfully and
she was seized with a sudden 1T oil
shiyering which most persons OF delicate
organizations are subject TO when under
great excitement, AS soon as she had
somewhat recovered, she went into the
office and called the train dispatcher
who answered at once, she said;
"No, 90 passed at iullspeed and No. q
not yet arriyedW
"My GodW autographed back the dis,
patCher as swiftly as his frightened
Fingers could form the letters, "the crew
must be asleep. They will strike In that
cut and pile up fifty feet high! Heavens,
this is horHbleW
Lily then went on TO explain that she
had attempted toRwaken them by throw
ing brick through the CabOose window,
and on hearing this the dispatcher open
ed his key without waiting for her to
finish and said excitedly;
"Run to the east end Of the siding, and
II you see them backing up throw the
switch and let them in on the siding,
No. q Is not due there for five minutes,
and there is a chance for them yet"
" have no switch key" said Lily.
"Break the lock with q hammer, u
rock, or anything" was the quick reply,
"Run tylh
Lily seized an old ak that was lying
handy, and, with avague idea that she
might also need the red light, she took
1t In her other hand and flew up the
track with the speed OF the wind, at the
imminent risk Of falling and breaking
her neck In the inky darkness.
Once she stumbled and fell, and the
lantern was dashed from her hand and
went rolling along tue ground far be.
yond her reach by the sudden impetus
which her fall had given it; but without
pausing TO regain It she Bprang to her
feet and bounded on.
The switch at the east end OF the sid
ing was fully half mile from the Office
and about the same distance from the
beginning OF the cut. II No. 22 could
back In on the siding in time they would
DO safe; but II they attempted to back
down the main track past the telegraph
office, they were liable to be oyertaken
by No. 81 before going half the distance;
as, accordingto the dispatcher's figures,
No. q should now DO very close.
AS Lily reached the switch, pair OF
cleaning red lights suddenly appeared
around the curve In the cut; and she
knew that the train was already rapidly
backing up, and that she had not mo-
ment To lose.
Feeling for the lock in the darkness
she then struck 1t several heavy blows
with the ak, which she still retained.
Luckily one Of the blows taking effect
tho broken lock dropped to the ground.
She then grasped the switch lever and
attempted to throw 1t over, but 1t re.
sisted her utmost efforts TO move 1t.
The train was now only short dis
lance away, and, with the energy Of DIES.
pair, she braced her feet against tho
switch standard, aud, putting forth her
strength in one mighty effort, the obsti'
nate lover came over with asudden jerk
and No. % glided safely in on the sid.
Ing.
The shrill scream Of a whistle was now
heard in the cut, and as soon as the train
vas clear she again exerted all her
strength and threw the switch back to It's
ormer position.
A headlight now flashed around the
,urve, and q moment later No. 81 went
caring by.
Lily, by her bravery, promptness and
presence OF mind, had averted terrible
calamity.
Atthe official investigation which took
place a few days later, the entire crew OF
he runaway train acknowledged that
hey were asleep, and that the conductor
had been awakened by u brick thrown
n at the caboose window.
The only excuse they had for their
neglect of duty was that they had been
On the road for thirty.six consecutive
hours without sleep or rest, and that
hey were completely worn out.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
Of the road was responsible
Tor requiring the men TO run this long
double trip, the entire crew were sum.
marily discharged for criminal neglect OF
duty, as though mans endurance WIS
rs an infallible bank TO be drawn on Mt
pleasure.