Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-09-20

which gives warning of rapidly ap- !.
preaching train hummed loudly In hss
ears.
She began 10 feel anxious. as they were
evidently coming at high rate Of speed
and not approaching as carefully as their
order had instructed them: she also had |
not yet heard the whistle which is al |
ways sounded by trains when approach |
ing station, and this omission increased |
her fears that something was :. rong.
But she VIC, given no time for further |
reflection. as the train now suddenly |
dashed around a curve not a hundred |
yards distant. running at full speed
Lily flew cat and stood between the
rails swinging her hand lamp wildly
across the track and shouting at the top
OF her clear young voice. But no at.en-
tion was paid TO her signal. the train
coming madly on. with such rattle and
clash that IL drowned the sound of her
voice.
The rearing. rushing train was now
upon her. and she barely had time to
spring from the track and escape with
her life. With a rattling crash and an
awful rush of air the kissing. throbbing
monster sped swiftly past her. while the
clank. ciank. clank of the car wheels
passing over loose splice near by was
80 rapid that IL resembl.d the rapid ham
mering on the anvil In blacksmith shop.
For moment Lily was unn. we'd and
bewilder>i. hut suddenly arousing her
self to action she rushed into the office
and seizing piece Of frebrick that did
duty for a stove leg. she turned and
hurled II through the window Of the
caboose that was just passing An in
stant later the red lights on the rear enS
OF the train had disappeared around
curve in the cut. and the rattle OF the
runaway train quickly lessened in the
distance
Lilyis heart throbbed painfully and
she was seized with sudden fit OF shv-
ering. which most persons Of delicate
organizations are subject to when under
great excitement As soon as she had
somewhat recovered she went into the
Office and calling the train dispatcher.
who answered at once, she said:
"No. 90 passed at full speed and No.
81 not yet arrived"
my Godf" telegraphed back the dis
patcher as swiftly as his frightened fin
gers could form the letters. ''the crew
must be asleep. They will strike In that
cut and pile up fifty feet hight Heavensi
This Is horribleF"
Lily then went ON TO explain that she
had attempted to awaken them by throw
ing a brick through the caboose window
and on bearing this the dispatcher opened
his key without waiting for her to finish
and said excitedly;
Run to the east end Of the siding. and
II you see them backing up throw the
switch and let them in ON the siding No.
81 Is not due here for five minutes. and
there is "a chance for them yet"
Il have no switch key" said Lily.
Break the lock with n hammer. a
rock. or anything" was the quick reply
Run, Ayr
Lily seized an old AK that was lying
handy. and. with vague idea that she
might alssneed the red light, she took II
in her other hand and few up the track
with the speed of the wind, at the ;mmi
nent risk Of falling and breaking hei
neck In the inky darkness.
Once she stumbled and fell. and tho
lantern was dashed from her hand anc
went rolling along the grounl far be
yond her reach by the sudden impetus
which her fall had given it; but withon
pausing TO regain IL she sprang 20 her fee
, and bounded on.
The switch at the end of the sidinl
was fully half mile from the Office, anC
about the same distance from the begin
, ming of the cut II No. 81 could hack il
on the siding in time they would be safe
! but II they attempted to back down tn
! main track past the telegraph office the,
were liable TO be overtaken by No. 81 lie
fore going half the distance. as. accord
, ing to the dispatcher's figures. No. 2
} should now I've very close.
; As Lily reached tho switch pair q
cleaning red lights suddenly appeare,
/ around the curve In the cut. and sh
/ knew that the train was already rapid
! backing up. and that she had not me
: ment TO lose.
. Feeling for the lock In the darkness
. she then struck IL several heavy blow
: with the ax. which she still retained
( Luckily, one of the blows taking effect
:: the broken lock dropped to the ground
!; She then grasped the switch lever an
b attempted To throw itover, but Il resiste
her utmost efforts to move IT,
i The train was now only short di,
. tance away. and with the energy OF dc
{ spair she braced her feet against ih
+ switch standard. and. putting forth he
8 strength in one mighty effort. the obst
nate lever came over with sudden jer
Q and No. % giided safely in on the siding
d The shrill scream OF whistle was no'
= heard in the cut. and as soon as th
u train was clear she again exerted all he
y strength and threw the switch hack I
e its former position.
y A headlight now flashed around oh
,. curve. and a moment later No. 81 rushe
d roaring by.
y Lily, by her bravery. promptness an
10 presence Of mind, had averted terrib
2 calamity.
y At the official investigation which too
70 place few days later, the entire crew
ID the runaway train acknowledged tn,
g they were asleep. and that the conducts
10 had been awakened by a brick thrown
h at the caboo~c window.
10 Tho only excuse they had for the
o. neglect Of duty was that they had bee
10 on the road Tor ihirty-rwo consecutiy
o, hours without sleep OF rest, and tn,
10 they were completely worn out.