Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1890-04-02
AN AWFUL BLUNDER.
How an Engineer Saved Hi ain
at a Fearful Sacrifice.

1t was night in the midst of winter
the air sharp and bracing, the moon
in her full glory floating majestically
through the clouds.
The little station at Longley was
crowded with busy, jostling throng of
travellers and idlers, some congregated
there from mere curiosity, others ex-
pectant of the arrival of some relative
or friend.
The night express moved into the sta
ton at Longley very slowly, for slight
accident had happened a few miles
back, resulting in the fracture of one of
the drivers" to use technical term.
Of course thousands of questions were
asked, and very few answered. 1t was
impossible for the locomotive to proceed
in this condition, and a telegram was
Immediately sent to Crawford, the be-
ginning of the road, place ten miles
from Longley, for another engine. A
good deal of delay was inevitable, but
in surprisingly short space of time the
scream of a whistle was heard, and a
fresh locomotive rushed into the sta
tion.
Sauntering up to the engine, was
agreeably surprised to find an old friend
OF mine, Ned Hughes, in charge. / ex-
tended my hand, and he grasped it cor
daily and said:
why, how are you, George? Glad to
see you. Are you going up with me to-
night?"
Yes" returned, giving his hand a
hna fu oh
off at R tomorrow, in which am to
appear for the plaintiff, so find myself
obliged to go up tonight"
'Of course, you will accept a seat in
the cab?" questioned Ned, smiling.
For the benefit OF those not informed
upon such matters, will state that the
cab is the cover built at the rear of the
locomotive for the protection and shell
ter of the engineer and fireman.
with pleasure"
l had been acquainted with Ned
Hughes from youth. We had studied
together with an eye to the law, but
when the college days were over he had
chosen for his calling that of locomo-
tive engineer Law was distasteful to
him, he said, and involved too much
waiting. He was as frank and generous
a fellow as ever breathed, though at
times little too daring, approaching
almost to recklessness. He was a great
favorite, however, with both railway-of-
hcials and employees and was, withal,
perfectly conversant with his business.
The new engine from Crawford had
just been coupled on the train, and we
both stood admiring it, it seemed so
much thing of life-throbbing, trem-
bling in every joint, the steam issuing
from the escape, the fire-box glowing,
the brasses of the cylinder rejecting the
brilliant lights overhead, the brightly
polished rods, the drivers" newly
painted, the word Nora" in silver let
ters upon the cab-all deeply impressed
me.
glanced at Ned, who was as much
absorbed as I had been in the contem-
plation of the wonderful piece Of
mechanism.
Isn't she beauty?" he queried,
turning to me. 81 think never saw an
engine more complete and perfect than
the Nora, and 1 expect to have her one
of these days"
You're right, my boy!" returned.
"All aboardr'
The words sounded along the plat
form, and presently the conductor tapped
Ned on the shoulder.
I'VE are an hour late tonight" he
said, ''and have only two hours in which
to make Rawdon."
1T is eight o'clock now," said Ned,
and l will put you in Rawdon at ten on
time
Ned's assertion, be it known, was
somewhat startling one. The ratio of
speed he contemplated was sixty-three
miles an hour, with two stoppages for
coal and water.
The conductor whistled.
You're much the same old Ned" he
said; 'but that's little too much. You
would run US to destruction, I'm afraid.
No; we'll pass the up train at Quincy"
The bell was ringing. Ned sprang
into the cab, / following We moved
softly out of the station, the motion be-
ing necessarily slow at first, but rapidly
increasing as we left the city. Ned ex-
smined the indicator, the hand of which
pointed to 125. He then pulled down
and securely fastened the safety-valve.
the fireman looking on but saying moth
ing. He then looked into the fire-box,
directing the fireman to fill 1t with coal.
adding:
I'VE make Rawdon tonight by ten"
The fireman seemed to take the whole
procedure as a matter of course, by
which l concluded he was used to Ned's
vagaries, but confess to an involun-
tary shudder.
Ned saw my anxious look and re-
marked:
Its all right The conductor wants
the train put through, and its my in
teption to put it through"
"But," interposed, consider what
might be the consequences.
mo danger" uttered Ned. THE road
is a good one with few curves and no
other train on"
''And how about the passengers"
Ned laughed.
They are agreeable, especially the
business portion of them They are
willing to take little risk for the sake
of speed, although both are preferable
to either. Besides, the train is an ex.
press, and concurrent circumstances
render it necessary that time should be
made. Are you at all neryous2" Ned