The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-09-12
THE RUN OF g..
A Wild Race with a Runaway
Freight Train.


ago, and this is how it happened"
Having often wondered how it was
that Harry Baily should possess head
of hair the color of clean cotton and the
stoop of man of sixty, while still
young in years, it was with feeling of
satisfaction that l prepared to listen to
the explanation:
at was in Colorado, on one Of the
widest and toughest railroads know
of. The scenery was similar to that of
che Denver & Rio Grande on Dump
mountain.
''At the bottom, the road-bed was
forced in against the opposite mountain
by noisy little river, that ran some
thirty feet below. There were three
tracks on tho mountain side, and, stand
ing on any one of the three, the other
two could be seen.
THE road was stocked with Baldwin
engines, and, to facilitate the climbing
of the heavy grades, they had small
driving wheels.
Il was fireman on 67, which was used
IN the passenger service. She had the
largest drivers on tho road, and they
only measured forty-eight inches in
diameter.
Matt Irwin was the engineer. He
was grabbed, cross, little, old man,
with a bald head and an iron nerve.
He had been on the road ever since it
had been constructed, and seemed to
think that tho officers should respect
him-which they did in a way-instead
of vice versa.
''SiXty-sevcn had just been housed
aftor run. l was filling the oil-cans
and Matt was hauling off his ovcralls,
when Mr.. Fox, the superintendcnt
climbed into the cab
After a few commonplace remarks,
he asked, abruptly:
Matt, how soon can 81 so out%
- Just as soon as | can pull on my
'ovcralls,' was the reply. Her steam
hasn't been blown out yet, and her fire
hasn't been drawn
Tho superintendent looked at both
Of us rather hard, as though he was siz-
ing us up, and then he said, awful SOL
emn:
60 Matt, you've been with us a long
time. You've been tried and not found
wanting. Tonight we call on you to
perform tho most dangerous piece of
work yet. viii you do it?'
Mats eyes looked as largo rs sau-
GERS in the dim light of the cab. l con-
Tess was trembling myself.
"'What is it?" he asked.
""Thcrc's been big mistake made in
the higher ofliccs-but that is not for
us to criticisc-and there is but one way
10 rcctify it Here the superintendent
voice dropped to whisper. One hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars in gold
has got to be in b before midnight,
to connect with tho Eastern express,
and you're the man selected to take it
through
'Old Matt showed his establishment
with his eyes, but never opened his
mouth. AS for me, was so excited by
this time that l had to stop my work,
because | poured more oil on the floor
than | did in the cans
Gas | said BEFORE went on the Su-
pcrintCndcnt, it's dangerous business
There arc mon in town tonight who, if
they knew the nature of this run, would
ditch you to secure the fortune. Guards
would only excite suspicion, and if you
left the track anywhere between Havcs-
sack grade and the bottom, one man
would be rs good as fifty, for none could
escape. YOU'LL
"'I'll CO. said old Matt, STRENGTHENING
up.
And your fireman.
"I'll take Harry. here. It's going to
be dark run tonight, and dom want
strange hands about the engine. We
understand each other
That was as fine compliment as
Matt ever gave, and l felt proud. But
was only little potatoes in this,deal.
The superintendent merely glanced at
me, and, turning to Matt continesd;
ga lone engine might create sus-
picion, SO we'll make up wild freight.
They'll all be empties. Back down to
the offices before you couple on. and
we'll put the safe under the coal in the
tender
That was all. He jumped OF and
For some time Matt and
L sat staring at each other, then he slid
off his seat and said:
"'This won't do! Supper, Harry
supper! We haven't much time olose.
1t only lacks few minutes of six. Bes
back before the quarter
4'The wind was whistling among the
cars, whisking tho dust and papers
about, while in the south a big black
cloud was coming up resplent.Snt with
chain lightning. Altogether, the mig ut,
promised to be unusually bad.
II was back on time, but Matt 'Eas
there before me. He had lighted the
shaded stcam-gauge lamp, and STOOD
scanning small piece of pasteboard.
: "'What do you make of ahis, H1rry|
he asked, as l climbed up beside him.
j found ii pinned to my csshion.'
con it was scrawled, with lie I'd PEN
ell the words:
"'parger. Don't pull th4 wild freight TO,
aight IL you value your lives.
"A TRUE FRIEND
'"Y make it that some one besides
2 She superintendent and us knows OF it,
kI.rsplied, the cold shivers beginning to
otase each other up my spinal column.
There's danger aheadp
"'Aye, there is danger, my hoy and
Did Matt spoke softer than 1 had ever
heard him before. IF you want to