The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1892-09-07
THE WOMAN IN BLACK.
An Engineers Strange Story of
aLittle Moth.

=
a Little Moth.
Travelling recentla from Chicago I,
New York, I found in the morning upor
crawling cut Of my berth that the trair
was standing stock still. The porter tolC
me that it had been standing thus for al
hour and half, while had been sleep
ing the sleep of the just.
Freight train done woopsed up on d
track ahead saidthe porter. 81 reckon
We don get out O. here under anuddel
hour OF two"
dressed and peeped out and saw VI
were alongside the platform of a country
station. took good breakfast in the
dining car and then went out to stroll uI
and down the platform.
Presently went to the locomotive and
stopped to admire it. There is nothing
much better to look at, for that matter
than the locomotive Of one of these
through express trains on the great trunk
lines. How it throbs as it stands, strain
ing with pent-up power, as if impatient
to leap away at fearful speed
This one was Kissing feroely, while
the measured thud of the air pump
sounded as if it might be the regular
breathing of a sleeping giant.
In the cab sat the engineer alone, wait
ing. stopped and gossiped with him a
moment about the engine. Then I offer
ed him a cigar, which he took, with
thanks, and asked me to come in. /
swung myself into his cab.
The engineer bright, pleasant-faced
man, about forty years old-explaine d
to me the uses Of the numerous valves
and levers about him. They were all as
bright and shining as polish could make
them, for the engineer Is as proud Of bis
engine as any housewifeis Of the neat
ness Of her dwelling. I glanced at the
two shining steam-guages with the clock
between them, and then noticed what
seemed to be an ordinary white moth,
mounted in q gilt frame, hanging against
the wall Of the cab.
Z" Is that for ornament?n asked, point
ing st the moth.
The engineer smiled. "Well, partly
for ornament he said, but a good deal
more for sentiment 1 put that moth
there because it saved my life and the
lives Of two hundred and fifty people as
we'll"
"How in the world could an insect save
human lives ?" I asked.
"Well, III tell you, if you want to hear
the story. Ireekon there's time enough
before we're able to get out Of this"
Isettled myself in the absent fireman's
seat, and prepared to listen.
"It wasn't such long time ago." said
the engineer, "only year ago last spring.
I was running this very train, and had
this very engine-olG 4i9. Ny fireman
was Jim Meade-same fellow I've got
now. You can see him over there, lean
ing up against the telegraph Office.
Jim is q good boy, but he is very su-
perstitious; believes in ghosts, dreams
and warnings. used to laugh at his
faneies, but don't make as much fun of
him as did-not since We saw the wo-
man in black.
ave were scheduled to leave NJ
about one O'Clock in the morning, and to
arrive in s. at about six. On the night
when this thing took place fearful storm
Of wind and rain had been raging since
early evening, and was at the height Of
its fury when started for the round
house.
"lt was about midnight, and the wind
seemed to sweep clear around and into
the building. 1t was terribly dismal
Jim was there, and the engine was all
ready, so, after getting my working
clothes on, ran the machine down to
station. Our train, the yestibule limited,
was an hour late gave the engine
thorough oiling, and made sure that all
was in order.
"As We sat in the cab We could hear the
storm raging outside, while the rain,
driven by the gusts of wind, beat iercely
against the windows.
a lis going to be bad run, Frank
Jim said l wish We were in s., safe
md sound
II laughed. What makes you 50 ter
IDLY glum, Jim2' asked.
"'Oh,' said he, 4 just feel creepy some
low. Seems like there's something ter
ible going to happen 1 can feel it in
my bones
81 lauged again. You got a little wet
oming over, I guess, Jim,' said L And
he sound of the wind isn't very encOur-
lging. that's fact
TO tell the truth I was little nervous
,yself, notwithstanding my easy way Of
reating Jim's notions
Presently our train came IN, long and
eagy, consisting mainly Of sleepers- 1t
sed to make me nervous to know that
be lives of hundreds Of my fellow men
Tere in my keeping, but now I think
othing oft. That night was nervous
What If the frightful storm had made
careless, or if rail had been
,osened by the settling Of the track
,meshere? On these fast trains man
lust rely on the vigilance ofthe employ |
}; for, in order to mike schedule time
e must run a. such speed that often
e cannot see signal before he is upon
!.
" But I laughed at myself for my fears
J l backed down and coupled to the /
ain. set the brakes and found every
hing IN good order.
sBy and by the little gong above my