Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1893-01-05
THE ENGINEERS STORY.

was very young when first put in
charge Of the night express, but lhad
begun my career as an engineer so
early - being only nineteen when |
first ran the MiddleseX mail-that |
was an experienced hand when put
upon the 1910 night express, though
only twenty-seVen years old.
Linden was our second trip on the
run out-thirty-eight miles-and the
town, with its dull, crooked, half
paved streets, its quaint old cathedral,
and pretty outlying country seats,
was very dear to me, for here Nellie
lived when first | knew her
always looked forward pleasantly
to our arrival at Linden, for, as our
train came laundering up to the
depot, on these long summer eve
nlngs Nellie was often there, await
ing my coming, and, while Joe was
watering the engine, / managed to
have a few pleasant words with her
before we were ready to start again
Then, as the bellrope signalled $50
ahead, and l stepped upon the en-
CINE, she waved me pleasant good-by,
that seemed to give me heart and
strength during the rest of my long
ride. So time passed pleasantly on,
until told Nellie one day the story
had so longed to tell her, and heard
the. answer for which my heart had
hardly dared to hope.
How light were my labors with her
love to cheer me on! How dear the
thousand little evidences of that love,
uttered in her own sweet, delicate
wayI
We were to be married in the fall,
and all, event merry as a marriage
BELL" when an accident occurred to
me as | was running the "FireAy"-
my dear old engine-down to Linden,
which materially altered our plans.
had started four minutes late,
and was going along at lively speed,
when, as we swung around curve,
we saw a man coming down the track,
waving a red flag.
! Whistling "Down brakes" we
were soon at a standstlll, and, leav-
ing Joe to take care Of the engine, 1
hurried forward with the conductor,
TO see the cause CT the danger signal
Coming up with the tlagman, we
learned that freight tram was off
the track, a mile further up the road;
and for two whole hours we waited on
the main track while the heavy
freight cars were being unlOaded and
righted. At last "Clear track" was
signalled, and / sounded the whistle
for "All aboard"
''Put her through pretty lively
when you get clear track" said
Charlie, the conductor. "pve tele-
graphed ahead, and We'll have right
of way from here straight through.
Now, let her jump, Harry and We'll
make up time before we reach Sad
ler's."
Twilight was fast coming on us.
The switch lights ahead wlnked
their red eyes, and showed pair Of
white ones, to tell us all was right;
the headlight Of our engine was lit,
throwing stream of light down the
track, and, with one long shrek from
the whistle, we started down the road
at a rapid pace, with clear run
ahead Of us Of twenty-one miles to
Marketaelds Junction, our first sta
tiOn.
All, il / could have looked ahead
only as far as Markethelds-and could
have seen the broken rail which lay
waiting for me at an ugly curve,
would have told Joe so earnestly to
keep up the fire, and see that forty
pounds were on the boilers, as we
must tear along as fast as ''Firehy"
would carry US?
We were bounding across the coun-
try at terrific pace, leaving behind
us long train Of sparks and heavy
clouds Of smoke, the engine swinging
from side to side, and almost leaplng
the track at every turn Of the great
driving wheel. On, on, without
slackening speed on, over the great
plains and into the clearing again;
laundering under the great stone
archways, flying past the country sta
tions, where the rustlcs were huddled
together to see the great train pass
on, on, without pause or rest; through
the valley and into the mountain
gorge, whose rocks echoed back the
shrill whistle l sounded as we swung
around the curves.
The night was upon us ere WI
neared Marketdelds, and Joe and
were seated at either window, gu
eyes fixed intently on the track ahead
watching for any obstruction on tn
shining rails, which were glistenini
like silver serpents in the brillianc
Of our headlight.
Marketflelds lights came in sight
and drew the rope over my head
A long. shrill whistle sounded owe
the country announcing our coming
AS we swung around the curve l IT
peated it,
Good heavens, Harry! Loci
look! lookP
And Joes hand struck me blow
hesprang to my side in sort of tie
ror, and, grasped the whistle rob-
sounded, repeatedly; "Down brakes
had seen it, too-the figure OF