St. Landry democrat., 1893-05-27
and came out of the storm not far dis

| alOnE INC tTdck-
"What is the matter?" inquired in as
loud voice as could command.
''For heavens sake, come quick"' she
shricked wildly. "Come quick. The
train has run off the aine! All arc lost
my husband-my child-dead--dead!'
The horrible situation flashed over my
| bewildered senses in moment. Just
around the curve was deep crossing,
and the rain must have washed down
the cmbankment in time to wreck the
evening express. This woman was the
| only one saved, and she had managed to
crawl up to the station for assistance.
helped the woman up on the plat
form, aud told her to hurry into the
station house and wait until my return.
Then, with lantern in hand, | started on
a run toward the scene of the disaster.
1t was barely Il quarter of a mile to the
crossing, but it seemed ages to me be-
fore l reached it.
All was quiet; not moan nor shrek
of any kind could he heard. The storm
still ragged around. | looked down the
embankment, expecting to see a heap of
broken, twisted iron mixed up with the
dead aud dying passengers.
| then examined the crossing and
found the line in good condition. A
small slip had been caused by large
current of water, but everything-so far
as l could sce--was in perfect order.
What could it all mean? And in an
agony of fear and dread l stood still and
thought. In my excitement had not
asked the woman where the accident had
happened, but took it for granted that it
was at the crossing.
1t might be half mile farther on, or
it might be mile or more, I reasoned.
But, at all events, it would be better to
return to the station and get the right
place from the woman's own lips So |
turned my face in the direction Of the
station once more and began running
with all my strength.
AS hurried along glanced occasion
ally at the line to see if it was in good
condition. When I reached the new
switch, which was used for siding trains,
| suddenly stopped. The switch was
turned. | could not believe it possible
that l had been so careless as to leave it
in such condition. If the express should
come along when it was turned, nothing
could save her from being dashed down
a steep embankment.
While / was still wondering at the
strange condition of things l heard the
long, shrill shrek of the belatcd and, as
supposed, wrecked express. The next
moment the headlight of the engine
rushed in sight around the curve and
made long path of light along the line
There was evidently no accident, but
there would be one in a few moments if
the brake was not turned back.
This could be done in one way only
by reaching the station before the train
reached the switch. and turning the
heavy lever that connected the two
Could do it? started for the station
on dead run.
l do not know how | reached it. l |
was dimly conscious Of running blindly |
through the darkness, stumbling against !
The rails, and finally leaping upon the
platform, Selling the iron lever despcr-
ltcly in both hands.
| heard the heavy bolts fly into their |
sockets, and then before | could "kcy'
t the heavy wheels rumblcd over the
switch. It seemed for 4 moment that !
he heavy pressure would jerk the lever
out of my hands. but chung to it tena-
;iously, and finally the last wheel rum
bIed over the fatal place.
The evening express did not usually
top at the station, but merely slowed up |
o see if there were any passengers. Bat !
before could recover from my excite
nent the long line of black carriages
we're brought to a standst!ll and the
guard was hurrying toward me-
'',jim,' he said, take this package aud
ock it upsccurely in the safe until called
or. Be very careful it. for it is some
hing valuable. will explain later
Then, without waiting for reply, he
hovei small, heavy parcel into my
lands, blew lis whistle and Ieaped upon
be train.
The next moment the long line of car
lagos was swiftly flying southwark and
was once more alone.
BY this time felt so thoroughly ex-
austcd by the excitement and strain
pom my nerves that ! rcclcd into the
luLlCu lht a vi utlhCiI Eldll.
dropped into chair, completely be-
'ildercd. The parcel lay before me, but
took no notice of it. my thoughts be-
1g busy with the strange events of the
vcning
There were no signs of the woman who
adj started me off to find the wrecked
ain. In fact, felt too tired to search
II her. She had sent me on a wild
Dose chase and came near causing the
cath of many people, and 10 my mind
lie seemed to deserve punishment little
lort of death.
The storm was still raging without.
he thunder shook the station to its
aud the wind helped to
ake it seem like cradle rocked with
visible hands.
/ remained seated in my chair, staring !
lankly at the wall for probably ten
inutcs. A thousand thoughts and con-
ctures flashed through my brain during I
lat time, and then, as l involuntarily |
lrned my head, started back with a {
arvous jump. In the doorway stood the I
oman who had told me about the acct
ent
Good heavens :" cried, "what is
le meaning of thisl" !
She smiled, displaying her white Il
,eth.
"The meaning of what!" she asked in
he quietest manner possible. a
| jumped from my chair. q
"Of what?" | shouted. "Of telling q
C that the express had jumped the e
your husband and child /
ere dead. That's what, madam +
She laughed softly.
"That was ruse to get you to leave h
&c station" she replied. " You are such g
home hodu that I cnrldn,f e.o4 ,r.., 10 | y