Nevada County picayune., 1889-05-08

she went into the office and calling the train dispatcher, who answered at once. she said:
 No. 22 passed at full speed ant No. 21 not yet arrived."
 My God." telegraphed back tn, dispatcher as swiftly as his frightened fingers could form the letters, 'tht crew must be asleep. They vii strike in that cut and pile up fifty feet high. Heavens This is horri ble."
 Lily then went on to explain that she had attempted to awaken them by throwing q brick through the cahoosc window, and on hearing this the dispatcher opened his key with out waiting for her to finish and said excitedly:
 ''Run to east end of the siding. and if you see them backing up throw the switch and let them in on the siding. No. 21 is not due here for five minutes, and there is a chance for them vet
 Il have no switch key" said Lily.
 Break the lock with a hammer, n rock, or anything" was the quick reply. Run. ily!'
 Lilly seized an old axe that was lying handy, and. with vague idea that she might also need the red light she took it III 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 the ground far beyond her reach by the sudden impetus which her fall had given it : but without pausing to regain it she sprang to her feet and bounded on.
 The switch at the end of the siding was fully half mile from the office, and about the same distance from the beginning of the out. If No. 22 could back in on the siding in time they would he safe, but if they at tempted to back down the main track past the telegraph office they were liable to be overtaken by No. Fl be- fore going half the distance, as, according to the dispatcher's figures, No. 2l should now be very close.
 As Lily reached the switch a par of gleaming red lights suddenly ap. peared around the curve in the cut, and she knew that the train was rapidly backing up: and that she had not a moment to lose.
 Feeling for the lock in the dark ness, she then struck it several heavy blows with the axe, which she still retained. Luckily, one of the blows taking effect, the broken lock dropped to the ground. She then the switch lever and at to throw it over. but it resisted her utmost efforts to move It.
 The train was now only q short distance away, and with the energy of despair she braced her feet against the switch standard, and, putting forth her strength in one mighty effort, the obstinate lever came over with jerk and No. 22 glided safely on the siding.
 The shrill scream of a whistle was now heard in the cut, and as soon as the train was clear she again exerted all her strength and threw the switch back to its former position.
 A headlight now flashed around the curve, and moment later No. 2l rushed roaring by.
 Lily, by her bravery, promptness and presence of mind, had averted a terrible calamity.
 At the official investigation which took place few days later, the en- tire crew of the runaway train ac- knowledged that they were asleep, and that the conductor had been awakened by brick thrown in at the caboose window.
 The only excuse they had for their neglect of duty was that they had been on the road for thirty-two con. secutive hours without sleep or rest, and that they were completely worn out.
 Notwithstanding the fact that the management of the road was respon- sible for requiring the men to run this long double trip, the entire crew