The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1891-02-11
WHOLE No. 1172.


in small quantity.
go on-go on!'
What was I to do? / didn't dare to
refuse. The wild look in Norris eyes
frightened me, and I went on shovel
ing in the fuel. 1 glanced at the
gauge. Great heavens! it marked 230!
The pressure of steam, where no cars
were attached to the engine, meant
fearful rate of speed.
The engineers manner was strangely
altered. Instead of being silent and
morose he was now excited and talk
ative.
That's itr' he cried, and could
barely catch the words above the roar
ing of the engine. Now we're travel
ing! Ha! ha! The President faster
than the Grant? Not likely! I'll catch
up to her yet, see if l don'tr'
Shall 1 ever forget those terrible
alyze me. As l stood there, clinging
for support to the side of the cab, the
awful truth flashed through my mind.
The engineer was mad! And, worse
still, he was under the delusion that
the President was on in front. With
this insane idea in his head he deter
mined to try the speed of the two en-
gines.
My first impulse, when 1 had partly
recovered from the shock, was to
spring forward and grasp the rsvers-
ing rod. But a moments reflection
showed me that this might instantly
seal my doom. Norris would have
grappled with me, and if it came to a
struggle 1 was lost. He would fling
me headlong from the engine.
Then another thought occurred to
me. Heaven forgive me!-but must
strike him from behind in order to
save my life. 1 looked around for a
weapon. AS 1 did so he seemed to
guess what 1 was at. and turning
round thrust his hand into his breast.
The next moment he held a revolver
toward me, while his blazing eyes
threatened instant death if l did not
desist.
After that gave myself up for lost.
Unless providence interposed on my
behalf horrible end awaited me. Up
to this had felt the heat oppressive,
but now 1 shivered. My hands were
cold and clammy. A band of iron
seemed to encircle my head.
On we tore. the engine swaying
fearfully. Every moment l expected
to be blown to atoms by the bursting
of the boiler. Norris never ceased to
rave about the race with the President.
And yet, though he was so absorbed
in his work. he kept his eye on me the
whole time.
Then it was that an idea flashed
across me. A faint hope sprang up in
my mind. l must overcome him by
cunning; it was the only chance.
I advanced to examine the indicator;
and, though my heart sank when /
saw the hand quivering at 250. made
it appear as if were delighted.
Good" cried, well beat her yet!
But we want more coal"
l made toward the tender, placed
my left hand upon lump of coal and
struck it across the back with the
sharp edge of the shovel. The blow
left cash from which the blood flowed
freely. 1 gave a cry and Norris in
stantly turned round.
held up my right hand that he
might see the blood dripping from it.
Then 1 stood with my back toward
him and pretended to bind up the
wound. But 1 only wrapped hand
kerchief round it. and quick as light
ming drew out my pocket-book. I tore
away the leaves which were written
on, and placing the book upon my
knee scrawled these words across the
first page:
''Driver mad wire, grease rails"
Then. holding it in my injured hand
1 thrust it under my jacket and re
turned to the engineers side.
We were now rapidly approaching
Weston, but l knew that Norris die
not intend to stop. And / was right
He blew long whistle. as if to startlt
the officials, and the engine sho
through the station like rocket.
But l had managed to drop my
pocket-book at the side of the track.
1 did not dare to look back or make
the slightest sign to the Weston
officials. If 1 had done so certainly
would have got bullet through me
Still I fancied had caught a glimpst
of man hurrying forward to where
the book had fallen.
The suspense was terrible. Even i
they noticed the pocket-book, they
might not be able to understand wha
was written inside; for it may be i'm
agined that under the circumstance
|
| had made up my mind what to eX
pect. The next station was Red Fork
but fifteen miles farther on. 1 wa
sure the track would be clear as far a
this place, but once past it we might
encounter an up train at any moment
If the Weston people discovered m,
message they would wire at once tt
Red Fork, and there would be TIM
enough for the officials at that station
to grease portion of the rails befor
we came on the scene Should this b.
done on any sort of an incline tn
wheels would slip on the track and tn
engine soon come to a standstill.
was with thrill of joy remembers
that there was such a piece of roa
just outside Red Fork station.
But if it turned out otherwise, an
we passed the place without bein
| stopped, I resolved to lose no time i
graphing with the engineer. Com
what might, would spring upon hir
and try to wrench the revolver fror
| his hand. The case would then be de:
perate; and it was as well to die IN
, fight for life as to wait patiently an
be mangled in a collision.
: When I arranged all this in III
mlQu 6uuedNOE0u W IeSlSu u NY oOlA
fate. 1 could do no more at presen
l But the agonies suffered during thu
7 short run from Weston to Red Fork
can never describe. The terrib
4 strain of suspense. the wild rush, til
swaying from side to side, made n
: feel sick and faint. I clung on wit
out daring to look on either hand; If
e had done so l think l could not hay
withstood the temptation to fling m
t self from the engine.
1t was getting dusk. was dim
e conscious of hedges. telegraph pol
Il and bridges skimming past me Ill
SO many flashes. The hoarse shou
}. of the madman made my blood RI
$ cold. He seemed to be working hin
: self into a regular frenzy.
; Red Fork one mile ahead!
d One minute more would decide t
IL question of life or death.
+ 1 drew my breath hard; 1 trembl
like child. We had reached the
n cline. The engine went at it with
?. dash. I glanced out to see if a
l. friendly figures were on the track.