The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1890-09-26

Fork, and there would be time enough
for the officials at that station to grease
portion OF the rails before we came on
the scene. Should this be done on any
sort OF an incline the wheels would slip
on the track, and the engine would come
to u stand-stll,' 1t was with thrill of
Joy / remembered that there was such a
piece of road just outside Red Fork Sta
ton.
But If it turned out otherwise, and we
passed the place without being stopped, |
resolved to lose no time in graphing with
the engineer. Come what might, would
spring upon him and try to wrench the re-
volver from his hand. The case would
then be desperate; and it was as well to
die in fight for life as to wait patiently
and be mangled in a collision.
When arranged all this in my mind
| endeavored to resign myself to fate. |
could do 30 more at present. But the
agonies | suffered during that short run
from Weston to Red Fork can never
describe. The terrible strain of sus-
pense, the wild rush, the swaying from
side to side, made me feel sick and faint.
| chung on without daring to look on
either hand; II had done so, think |
could not have withstoOd the temptation
to fling myseM from the engine.
1t was getting dusk. was dimly con-
scious OF hedges, telegraph poles, and
bridges skimming past me like so many
flashes. The hOarse shouts of the mad
man made my blood run cold. He SEEM
ed to be working himself into a regular
frenzy.
Red Fork one mile ahead.
One minute more would decide the
question OF life or death.
Idrew my breath hard L trembled like
child. We had reached the incline.
The engine went at it with dash. |
glanced out to see if any friendly figures
were on the track.
Not soul was in sight / groaned and
almost fell on the floor of the cab. The
surrounding objects seem to fade from
my view and in their place rose pict-
IRE of the old home away in England.
/ saw the little cottage, looked into my
mothers face
ooh, thank God!"
Never before nor since did such cry
VI Joy tSCdpt ll6, lOI at llldO ulOluCllI !
felt the wheels of the engine slip.
Gradually the furious speed declined
Norris dashed about thecab storming anC
swearing. Very soon we were almost
at stand-still. The next second | haC
jumped to the ground.
Only just in time. The mailman had
turned savagely upon me. | suppose sus
pecting that had something to do will
the stoppage. | saw his purpose anC
| ducked my head as bullet from his re
volver whiz2ed over it, Then l ran fo
dear life down the track.
When was well out of range sat upor
the bank, completely overcome. The re
action was too much for me, and / believ,
for a minute or two was quite uncon
scious. But before / became insensible
heard another report from the pistol
knew what had happened!
: | was aroused by confused hum o
voices. Upon opening my eyes saw fou
men standing around me. | got up a
once and we hurried back to the engine
There stood the "Graut" upon tn
track with full speed up, the wheels re
volYing with frightful rapidity, but with
out making the least Roadway,
One Oh my companions sprungon boar
and shut off steam. Then he came to tn
side and looked down and exclaimed;
81 say, boys, Norris has put bulle
, through his head"
/ knew it Chatter,