The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1892-04-02

that all was right at their stations, but,
aside from that, the road was In
absolute darkness its entire length.
The engine ran moderately through
the upper part of the city OF Albany,
and when once clear of the streets the
engineer pulled out the throttle valve,
and off they bounded. The ram
poured, the wind blew fiercely, and be-
fore them the darkness was so thick
that it seemed as if the CLEAN OF the
headlight only served to render the
darkness more intense.
The superintendent stood with his
head and shoulders out of one window,
and the engineer with his out OF the
other; but neither could see more
than four or five rods ahead OF the
engine.
The driving rain beat against their
faces, almost binding them with its
fury, while the wind roared SO about
the engine that any ordinary tone OF
voice was inaudible, and even the
whistle itself could hardly be heard
In few minutes the light at West
Troy junction was seen, Its all
right Go ont the signal meant Then
the upgrade into Cohoes caused a sem
sible diminution of speed.
| At that time the Mohawk river at
Cohoes was spanned by long wooden
bridge, high above the river, and all
engineers had instructions to pass
over it slowly. So before reaching the
bridge the engineer shut of steam, and
using his airbrake reduced the speed
of his engine.
A moment more. and they were roll
ing quietly and smoothly over the
bridge. When they were once over 1t,
the throttle valve was again pulled out,
and the engine bounded through Water
ford. and down the long grade to the
valley beyond.
Nothing was said In the cab, as they
tore along. The superintendent on one
side and the engineer on the other stood
steadily watching. The fireman on the
footboard occasionally opened the fire
| box door and threw in shovelful O.
coal, while the passenger sat in hi
corner perhaps enjoying the novelty o
, his experience, perhaps wondering l
he should ever reach Saratoga alive.
Now Mechanicsville was passed, ant
the engine turned to the west, and be
gan climbing the long gradient tina
the road takes from the valley OF tn
Hudson to the plain upon which Sara
i togu lies
: Next appeared the light at Roun
4 Lake, and the superintendent could no
help thinking of the road crossing jus
hey ond the station, where not long be
fore train had been wrecked in tn
night by a plank maliciously driven j
next to the rail. This had resulted i
! a serious accident, killing one man an
o severely injuring several others.
But before he could wonder whethe
:, that might perchance be their fat
d Round Lake was behind them, and tn
9 fatal crossing. too; and he heard tn
!. thud of the switches at East Line. N
agent there and no light; but tn
e switches were all right, and on the
Y went. Now they neared Ballston, an
It for the first time since leaving Alban
e the superintendent drew in his hea
s and looked at his watch The engir
It was running with steam shut off G
e account of the sharp curves ut the st
ton.
y The watch said eleven fifty-tw
q Eight minutes left, and seven miles
l. go! LET her go, Willv' he shouted
the engineer. and, the curves at Ball
ton being passed, once more the eng
(. nesr pulled his throttle wide open. ar
n the engine raced toward Saratoga
y Now the bridge over the Kyadero
1t seras was crossed, q small stream vii
x long Indian name, that flows I'M
Saratoga lake. and so on to the Hudst
r. river. Then the turnpike bridge, thr