The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-09-28

is due in four minutes and we shall
meet it. But Collins ordered US out
and we've got to 60"
On they went, but Simms had not
put on more than half his steam.
Help me keep a lookout, Billy" he
said to the fireman. "If we 60 slow, it
may amount to nothing more than a
run back to the station. If we can
pass the curve we can see for miles
my God!"
This exclamation was caused by the
sight of the express rushing around
the sharp curve at lightning speed.
There was piercing whistle of "down
brakes" from each engine, an instan-
taneous closing of two throttles; then
followed a grinding crash and ter
rife shock, which made the very ground
tremble. Then for one brief moment
an awful stiffness, broken by the sound
of rushing steam, the shouts and cries
of men as they crawled from beneath
the debris Of the wrecked trains, and
by the groans and shrieks of the
wounded and the dying.
Annie Roberts watched the train out
of sight, and then went into the wait
ing-room, to remain until the accom-
mediation came in. The engineers
last words: Goodbye, Annie, if 1
never see you again" had fallen with
crushing weight upon her ears. A
foreboding of some terrible danger to
Jack seized her, and she walked up
and down the floor, going every mo-
ment to the window and looking down
the track. After half an hour of this
suspense she saw a man running up
the track toward the depot. She rec
ognized Jacks fireman, Billy. She
threw up the window as he was pass
ing.
"Billy-how's Ja-Mr. Simms?" she
cried.
"Can't say don't know!" replied
Billy, without stopping. "Met the ex-
press at the curve an we're both
knocked all ter pieces!"
Down dropped the heavy window,
and down fell Annie into a seat; but
she rallied quickly, and went out to
for the scene of the accident. Another
hour of the most horrible suspense,
and then the train came back.
"Was any one killed?" she asked the
station agent timidly.
Five of the passengers, I'm sorry to
say, and about a dozen injured; some
badly. The engineer of one of the
trains is terribly crushed, I believe"
"Who-which engineer?"
"The engineer of the pay-train-good
heavens! She's fainted!" He caught
her before she fell and carried her in
to the depot.
She lay insensible long time, but
awoke to happiness, for Jack bent over
her.
"Oh, Jack! are you safep" she ex-
claimed. "They told me you were
badly injured" :"
at was Collins" replied Jack. "He
will lose an arm, poor chap!"
"Worse than that" said Mr. How
ard. the superintendent, who stood
near by. "He will lose a situation and
reputation. And 1 must beg your
pardon, Simms, for not answering
your silent appeal to me. / trusted
Collins implicitly, or 1 should have
given you reply. l exonerate you
from all blame, and give you months
vacation with full pay"
He did more than that. When q
few weeks later there was quiet we'd
ding at Annie's home, and Jack and
Annie were bridegroom and bride, Mr..
Howard presented to Jack the deed oi
handsome little cottage, furnished
throughout, with the aeaa i,linaeuts s44rc
best wishes of the road.
Jack Simms still runs an engine, and
he has taken many "wild" trains
through without an accident, but ht
carries a written order, which is re
newed monthly. 1t reads:
"Obey no order which you know i:
wrong"
1t is signed by the highest official O
the road, and is never questioned.