The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-15

IIlOiilSlit III linn u I'LL - 'tthS >>>
caused by an electric machine rar
through my veins.
She pressed my hands and lett in
my grasp a small card, which
hastily thrust into my pocket.
The old man wrung my hand and
then the two hurried out into the
darkness.
] ran forward on the track; in a
moment turned and came back; met
the conductor just ahead of tae
engine, told him | thought | saw
something OH the track, but that all
seemed right
This satisfied him, and in a mo-
menl more the train was ON its way.
We passed Slowly over the trestle;
then let on steam and brought the
train under such speed that we could
make the time at L., thirty miles
ahead; then took the card from my
pocket, and on it was penciled in a
small, delicate hand: Mention this
to 40 one, and | will be your friend. y
turned the card over and over,
. ut that was all, and | could do
nothing but wonder and surmise
with regard to the matter.
l pictured in my mind all sorts OF
stories and trains OF circumstances
that could have brought such an
event about, but all to no purpose.
On returning to c. the next night
met the Superintendent on the
platform. He looked at me in an
anxious, inquiring manner. | knew
his meaning and nodded that all was
we'll and passed into the office.
The next week | was surprised at
receiving almost double pay, which
Wages continued as long as | re-
manned on the road.
Time went on for about six
months, and l could get no clew to
the mystery, but invariably kept a
sharp lookout as | neared the E.
Creek trestle-for what reason |
could not tell, as | certainly could
not expect to see my two former
passengers at that point again, but
still some unknown attraction COM
PEELED me to look.
1t was now in the early part of the
winter OF 1857. The night was ex-
ceedinely dark and sto: my, and it
had been sleeting all day, and every
thing was covered with ice. We left
c. five minutes late, being delayed
by the storm, and were running un-
usually fast to gain time.
For once l did not think OF the E.
creek trestle until the headlight
flashed on the icy roof OF tie small
station house situated about 800
yards from the creek.
In a moment | was on my feet
looking ahead. | had unconsclously
shut off the steam and had my hand
upon the whistle cord.
Did see something on the track
or was it imagination?
In a moment | had wbistled
down brakes" and not an instant
too soon, for the glare of the head
light revealed a broken Lantern, and a
few feet further on female form
lying PROSTATE across the railroad
track.
sprang to the reverse lever, and
throwing my whole force into the
movement, reversed the action of
the engine, and then let the steam
on with a jerk.
A sharp, Kissing sound ensued,
and in moment the wheels we're
spinning around in an oppos te di-
rection amid I 900, 900 sparks that
lit the scene with a brilliant glare.
In a moment | had passed along
the running board and was now on
the Cow catcher" one foot firmly
planted on the farthest bar, my LETT
hand grasping one of the strong iron
ribs, and my body forward with an
arm extended toward the inanimate
form we were so rapidly approach
ing.
The wheels crushed the lantern
into a thousand atoms, and were
within loot of the white, upturned
face. | lowered my hand nearly to
the ground and braced myself for
the shock.
What if l should miss my hold? l
set my teeth and threw my whole
energy in the movement.
A sudden clutch-a terrible strain
on the muscles the PROSTATE
form was beside me on the pilot.
Then everything seemed to whirl
around for an instant, and all was
oblivion
When | came to myself | found
myself on a lounge in a small, neat
room, and an old man a young
woman bending over me, whom | at
once recognized as my two pas
sengers of six mo nths previous.
In attempting to move l found l
was seriously injured, and the old
man directed me to keep perfectly
quiet, telling me my arm was broken
and | was otherwise badly injured.
but | had, nevertheless, saved the
life of his daughter, for which he
rendered me the most ardent thanks.
His daughter testified her graft
tude in a glance far more eloquent
than words. Ere | had recovered
from my illness the old man had re.
lated to me the story of his eventtu
lite.
Some years before he had been {
wealthy merchant in neighboring
city, where Mr.. R., the present
s,,Derintendent of the railroad was