The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-02-28

: I did not dare to look back or mako
tho slightest sign to the Weston
officials. II had done 80 certainly
would have got bullet through me.
Still fancied had caught glimpse
of man hurrying forward to where
the book had fallen.
The suspense was terrible. Even II
they noticed the pocket-book, they
might not he able TO understand what
was written inside; for 1t may be i'm
agined that under tho circumstances
the scrawl was barely legible.
had made up my mind what to ex-
pect. The next station was Red Fork,
but fifteen miles farther on. was
sure the track would DO clear as far as
this place, but once past 1t we might
encounter an up train mt any moment.
II the Weston people discovered my
message they would wire at once to
Red Fork. aud there would be time
enough for the officials at that station
to grease portion of tho rails before
we came on the scene. Should this be
done on any sort OF AN incline the
wheels would slip ON the track aud the
engine soon come to standstill. 1t
was with thrill Of Joy remembered
that there was such piece of road
just outside Red Fork station.
But II 1t 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 revolver from
his hand. The case would then be des-
perate; and 1t was as well to die In
fight for life as to wait patiently and
be mangled in collision.
When / arranged all this in my
mind l endeayored to resign myself to
fate. could do no more ut present.
But the agonies suffered during that
short run from Weston to Red Fork
eau never describe. The terrible
strain Of suspense. the wild rush. the
swaying from side to side, made me
out daring to look on either hand; II
had done so think could not have
withstood the temptation to fling my
self from the engine.
1t was getting dusk. was dimly
conscious of hedges. telegraph poles
and bridges Swimming past me like
no many flashes. The hoarse shouts
Of the mailman made my blood run
cold. He seemed to be working HIM
self into regular frenzy.
Red Fork one mile ahead!
One minute more would decide the
question OF life ordeath.
drew my breath hard; trembled
like child. We had reached the in
cline. The engine went at it with
dash. glanced out to sec II any
friendly figures were on the track.
Not soul was in sight! l groaned
and almost fell on the floor OF the cab
The surrounding objects seemed to
fade from my view. and in their place
rose up picture of the old home away
in England. l saw the little cottage;
looked into my mothers fnce-
"Oh. thank Godr'
Never before nor since did such a
cry Of Joy escape me. for at that mo-
ment felt the wheels of the engine
slip.
Norris dashed about the cab storming
and swearing. Very soon we were
almost ut u standstill. The next Sec
ond had jumped to the. ground.
Only just in time. The mailman
had turned savagely upon me. l sup
pose suspecting that / had something
to do with the stoppage. saw his
purpose and ducked my head rs u bull
let from his revolver whizzed over it.
Then l ran for dear life down the
track.
When was out Of range l sat upon
the bank. completely overcome. The
reaction was too much for me. and I
believe for minute or two ! was quite
unconscious. But before became in
sensible heard another report from
the pistol. knew what had happened.
was aroused by confused hum Of
voices. Upon opening my eyes saw
four men standing around me. got
up Mt once and we hurried back to the
engine.
There stood the Grant upon the
track with full speed up. the wheels
revolving with frightful rapidity. but
without making the least Roadway.
One Of my companions sprang on
board and shut of steam. Then he
camo to the side. looked down. and
exclaimed:
II say, boys. Norris has put q bullet
through his brainr'
knew II. Chatter.