The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1890-09-20
Without any stoD the train ran on I'M

ill il had surmounted the heavy grade
which began mt the doors of the terminal
station almost, and it was now at the
summit of the mountain. Below them
stretched the valley. Scattered here and
there were farm houses and their belong
ings; an occasional small herd of cattle !;
men working in the fields. Groups of
bright clothed children were playing
near some of the houses. Their laughter
and their voices could almost be heard.
The perfume of the blossoming apple
trees filled the air. Before them lay the
smooth straight rails hugging closely the
side of the mountain. Away off in the
valley, to the right, they could see an
other train creeping along it seemed, on
the branch which crossed the main line
at the foot of the hills.
"Travel's pretty heavy this morning, +"
Tom said to his fireman.
Its gettin hot They'll have all the
people they want, now, suppose"
"With this heavy train wouldn't like
to meet anything on this grade" Tom
: said as he laughed. The fireman whis-
! tied.
"Phcw! It's lucky there's no danger"
he said.
/ Keep your fire up" Romcr told him.
"We're going to need all the steam we
can get"
why"
1--WE must make time, or break"
! But now with steam all off and with
ROmer's hand on the brake-lcver they
rushed almost at full speed down the
grade. As they neared the end of the
steepest part of the descent ROmer re-
Taxed his hold upon the brake somewhat
and then the train attained tremendous
speed. The trees and the telegraph poles
were blur only; the cars rocked from
side to side.
"IIeS showing you what he can do"
someone said to Jennie
He knows what is best. she answered
smiling.
As they came out of the trees and
could see about them more, Tom said 10
his fireman:
THAT fellows coming pretty close.
He knows the way is mine Can YOU
make out who it isl
That's Warmers engine" the fireman
sail. Whats the matter with him."
Tom blue his whistle many times but
the engineer of the other train. now run
ming at full speed as it seemed, paid no
apparent attention. Romer thought
quickly.
What does the scoundrel mean?" he
asked. and again his whistle sounded,
sharp and distinct in the morning air
The other train continued. If they both
went on as they were going collision
was inevitable
stop her! Stop herr" shrieked
Toms fireman, and as he tried to push
Romer away he sprang to put on the air
brake.
"You foolw said Tom as he caught
him by the collar and flung him away.
I'VE can't stop her; We must get past"
He threw the throttle wide open. The
whole train jumped Then on it ran at
frightful speed toward the crossing.
Jennie had risen from her seat and was
standing at the wide door with the men,
While it seemed certain that his train
would reach the crossing first Warner sat
smiling grimly. His intention was plain.
If he could get his own engine first over
the crossing then Romer's engine would
surely crash into the heavy freight cars.
Whatever might be the fate of the others,
for ROmer himself there could be no es-
cape. But now as Romer's train gained
even greater speed its chances were the
best. Still it was not possible that all
the cars of his long train could get past
in safety. Suddenly as Warner watched
the other train he turned pale, started to
his feet and checked his train. There
was barely time. On came the heavy
train. but more and more slowly, coming
at last to stop within foot or two of
the crossing while Romer's train sped On
safely and swiftly.
When an investigation was afterwards
made it was stated that Warner tried to |
stop his engine when he saw Jennie
Romer's pale, appealing face at the door
of the baggage car; but Others believed |
that he only tried to stop when he saw
that his own engine would strike the |
other train midway and that his own life |
was in as great danger as any ones. In |
his behalf it was claimed that at the |
worst he had only made mistake in
judgment, and that, after all, as events
proved. he had been able to stop in time
As for himself he would say nothing, and |
soon after ne left that part of the country
The Epoch.