Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-11-14

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old and weather beaten, there seemed to
be little danger of its breaking down
beneath the weight of passing train.
There was heavy goods train due from
the west about o O'clock, and resolved
to wait at least until it came, and if it
passed over in safety there could be, I
thought. but little danger Of accident to
the lighter passenger train.
In due time il came laundering along
and passed safely over the bridge. But
though il might have been owing to my
excited imagination, it seemed to me
that the bridge bent and shook beneath
the weight of the train in manner
highly suggestive of danger At all
events, resolved to wait awhile longer
and see if the stream, which was still
rising, would have any apparent effect
upon the bridge. | took with me q Ian
tern and also thick blanket to protect
me from the damp night air.
Shortly after sunset as l was sitting
few rods from the stream | heard q
loud splash, and hurrying to the bridge
| saw that a portion OF the bank on the
opposite side had broken away, and also
that the action Of the water, or some
other cause, had weakened the founda-
tions Of the bridge in such manner
that portion of the limo was bent and
lowered enough to make it impossible
for a train to cross. | Immediately
crossed the bridge, resolved to stop the
train if possible before it reached the
bridge and certain destruction.
"Well, to make long story short, l
went on Ia the direction from which the
train was to come, and soon found a
place which commanded good view Of
the line for a considerable distance. I
liz my lantern, wrapped my blanket
closely around me, and sat down to my
wearisome vigil Of two hours. The night
was clear, but not very dark, though no
moon was shining. | suffered nothing
from the cold, as it was remarkably warm
even for the climate of Virginia, and |
succeeded in keeping awake, though the
task was difficult one.
Slowly the moments passed by, but at
last | saw by my watch that the time
had nearly expired, and few minutes
would decide the fate of the train and
its human freight. Soon saw a light,
far away and very small at first. but
rapidly growing larger and brighter. |
arose. trembling with excitement, and
commenced swinging the lantern about
my head, and as the long train drew
near | redoublcd my exertions, and
shouted loud as | could.
Onward came the train at rapid
speed Il was time of terrible sus-
pense to me. Should the engineer fail
to see my signal, or not sec it in time
to stop the train before going few rods
past me. knew that no human power
could save IT, On it came, and, oh, Joy
unspeakable just as gave up my ex-
ertions and stepped from the line my
frantic signals were observed, arousing
the sleepy brakemen like an electric
shock, who flew quickly to their sta
tions.
The train was quickly stopped, and
then informed the engineer and conduct
or Of the danger ahead. while the fright
onod passengers left the carriages and
gathered around me. Many brave man
grew pale when he learned what fear
ful death he had so narrowly escaped.
Among tho passengers | found my
wife, not mangled and lifeless, but alive
and we'll, though somewhat frightened,
and good deal surprised at seeing me.
The conductor gave me seat next to
my wife, and then had the train backed
to the station it had just left, from which
kilograms were sent to warn all other
trains Of the danger.
Ia the morning my wife and | took
the stage for home. | have but little
more to add, except that the company
insisted upon making me handsome
present, and also gave me free pass
over the road. do not pretend to be
able to explain this dream. which was
II remarkable one, though
doubtless no more than others could re-
late. But I am satisfied that this dream
was the means of saving many human
lives from sudden and most terrible
death. -