The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1890-10-02
portant station where we were TO got

pOrtant StatlOn where we were TO get
| orders against special. When the con-
ductor brought the orders to the engine
l could see there was something wrong.
His face wore a troubled look as he
handed the order to Bob in silence, and
he remained standing near the engine
instead of signaling US out and board.
ing the train. The instant Bob read
clouded, and in short, sharp tone he
asked the conductor what the dispatch
or meant.
II don't know" replied the conduc.
tor, "there's the orders, and it's for you
to say whether we'll 60 or stay"
Bob glanced at his watch. then at a
time card and,again at the sheet If tbs.
sue paper
'I'll 60" he said; "get on"
"We've got train full" said the
conductor, nervously, 'but We had bet
ter obey ORDERS"
"All right" was the reply, and We
started.
l was too busy just then ringing the
bell and putting in fire to ask the
cause Of tho apparent doubt in Bob's
mind. 1t was nearly dark, and after
had lighted the lamp in front OF the
steam gauge l could plainly see Bob's
face. lie was evidently worried. In
stead Of letting the engine pick up her.
self" as we left the station he pulled
the throttle wide open, and, with a
glance at the gauge, simply said: Give
her another firen'
4 had hardly regained my seat before
he called again: 'Give it TO her! We've
got to be lively"
We were running then at q tremen-
dous rate of speed. rBoh's watch was
swinging near the gauge lamp where he
had placed it, and his gaze was divided
between the gauge, the watch and the
track ahead. lie had left his seat
and was standing over against the re-
verse lever, which was within a notch
or two of the center, with one hand
gripping the throttle and the other on
the lever, his body bent forward in a
strained attitude, as though he would
push the machine along. Every second,
almost, his eye would rest on the steam
gauge, and in sharp tones he would call
out for fire.
was sboveling away for dear life, as
it were, and began to feel hurt at his
persistence. My back was aching.
there were big blisters on my hands,
and at one time felt as though l would
give up One look at Bob's set face,
which was now strangely white. con-
vinced me that he had no thoughts of
my fatigue, and l kept up out of sheer
desperation. l was beginning TO feel
frightened myself, too, and that aided
me.
We were running at fearful rate.
The mighty machine rocked and swayed
from side to side as it bounded along,
! cutting what was now inky darkness with
the one CLEAN of light from the head
light, and it was no easy matter to keep
my feet while in the gangway.x., A red
stream of fire trailed from the smoke
stack and once as glanced back from
the cab window the glowing sparks
seemed to have no end. The steam
gauge was close to $50 pounds, and my
continued exertions kept the needle
from dropping farther than 145.
1t seemed hours to me since we had
left the last station, but it was only a
few minutes. AS we ran Bob became
more agitated and constantly his voice
rose above the din of the engine, as he
hoarsely cried:
More coal!'
/ thought it would never end. The
jolting of the engine, combined with
my incessant shoveling and scram bling
to keep my feet, had made me sick.
gaspcd for brsath as my feelings grew
into terror, and l worked madly at tn
shovel and the door chain, seeing moth