The state herald., 1891-02-13


fearful rate of speed.
The engineers manner was strangely
altered. Instead Of being silent and
morose hc was now excited aud talk
alive.
That's itr' he cried, and I could
barely catch tho words above the roar
Ing OF tho engine. Now wore travel
ing! Ha! ha! Tho President faster
than tho Grantp Not likely! I'll catch
up to her yet, see il don't"
Shall l ever forget those terrible
words! They actually seemed to pnr-
alyze me. As stood there. clinging
for support to the side of the cab. the
awful truth flashed through my mind.
Tho engineer was mad. Aud. worse
still, he was under the dclusion that
tho President was on in front. With
this insane idea in his head he deter
mined to try the speed of tho two en-.
gines.
My first impulse, when had partly
recovered from tho shock. was to
spring forward and grasp tho revers-
ing rod. But u moments reflection
showed me that this might instantly
seal my doom. Norris would have
grapplcd with me, and II II came to n
struggle was lost. lIc would ding
me hcadlong from the engine.
Then another thought occurred 10
me. Heaven forgive mc!--but must
strike him from behind In order to
save my lie. looked around for n
weapon. As l did so no seemed TO
guess what was at. and turning
round thrust his hand into his breast
| 4, b..lI
toward me. while his blazing eyes
threatened instant death II l did not
dcsist.
After that gave myself up for lost.
Unless providence intcrposcd on my
behalf u horrible cnd awaited me. Up
to this had felt tho heat oppressive,
but now l shivered. My hands were
cold and clammy. A baud Of iron
seemed to encircle my head
On we tore, the engine swayinS
fearfully. Every moment 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 mo the
whole time.
Then it was that an idea flashed
across me. A faint hope sprang up in
my mind. | must overcome him by
cunning; 1t was the only chance.
advanced to examine the indicator;
and, though my heart sank when !
saw the hand quivcring at go. l made
it appear rs II I were delighted.
Good" cried, "we'll beat her yet!
. But we want more coal"
/ made toward the tender. placed
my left hand upon lump of coal aud
\ struck it across the back with tho
sharp edge of the shovel. The blow
left cash from which the blood flowed
freely. l gave n cry and Norris in
siantly turned round.
held up my right hand that he
Nigh, see the blood dripping from it.
Then | stood with my back tow..r,l
him and pretended to bind up the
wound. But | only wrapped hand
kcrchief round it, aud quick Ms light
Mug drew out my pockc,-book. tore
away the leaves which were written
on. aud placing the hook upon nv
knee scrawlcd these words across the
first page;
DRIVER mad. wire. grease rails
Then. holding |, in my injured hand
thrust 1t under my jacket aud re-
turned to the engineers side.
We were now rapidly approaching
Weston. but l knew that Norris did
not intend to stop. Aud ! was right.
He blew "A long whistle. rs IL to starll,
the officials. and the engine sho
through the station like rocket.
But I liad managed To drop IN,
pockct-book Mt the side Of the track.
did not dare TO look back or maxi
the slightest sign 10 the Weston
! officials. II had done so ! ccrtainl,
would have got bullet through ms
Still fancicd hal caught glimps,
OF a man iurrying forward 10 whcr,
tine book had fallen.
The suspense wns terrible. Even II
they noticed the pockci-bonk. thcy
might not Dc able to understand what
was written inside; for II may be i'm
ngined that under the circumstance,
the scrawl was barely legi5lc.
had made up my mind what Ia OK
poet. The next station was Red FORK
but fifteen miles farther on. WA
sure the track would he clear rs far al
this place. hut once past II ". might
encounter an up train nj Rny moment.
II the Weston people discovered my
message they would wire at once Ia
Rcd Fork. aud there would be time
enough for tho officials ut that station
to grease portion Of the rails before
we came ON the scene. Should this he
done on amy sort Of nm incline tho
wheels would slip IN the track aud Tho
engine soon come to u s,andstill. II
was with thrill Of joy remembered
that there was such a piece OF road
just outside Red Fork station.
But II II turned out otherwise. aud
we passed the place without behng
stopped. | resolved to loss M iimu IN
graphing with N" engineer. Com.
what might. would spring upon hin,
aud try TO wrench the revolver from
his hand. The ease would then bc DIES.
pcrntc; and II was rs we'll 10 'lie In u
fight for life n TO wal, patiently aud
be mnnglcd In n collision.
When | arranged NIL this In my
mind cndcnyorcd to resign myself 10
fate. could do no NOR, nj present.
But the agonics ! suffered during that
short run from Weston IN Red Fork
eau never describe. Ihr terrible
strain Of suspense tho wild rush. Tho
swnying from side 10 side. made m,
feel yick aud faint. | chung on with
out daring to look IN eiil,rg hand; u
had done so think I could not l,av,
withstood tho temptation To Hug my
self from the engine.
II was getting dusk. was diml,
conscious of hedges. telegraph pole.
and bridges skinning past me lik,
80 many flashes. Tho hoarsc shout,
Of the mailman made INV blood rut
cold. lie seemed to bc working him.
self Into n regular frenzy.
He'd Fork one milo ahead
I Ono Minute more would decide III,
question OF life or death.
drew my brcnil, hard, ircmblcd
like n child. We had reached the In.
cline. Tho engine won't Mt Il with u