The Portland daily press., 1893-02-15

DeTore I encountered a woman sUagger-
ing along the track
"What's the matter" inquired In as
loud a voice az could command.
'For heavens sake, come quickF' she
shrieked wildly. "Come quick! The
train has run off the line. All are lost
nv 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 en-
banlsment 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.
I helped the woman up on to the plat
form, and told her to hurry into the sta
ton house and wait until my return
Then, with lantern in hand, started on
q run toward the scene Of the disaster.
1t was barely quarter of mile to the
crossing, but it seemed ages to me before
I reached it.
All was quiet; not moan nor shrek
of any kind could be heard. The storm
still ragged around. I looked down the
embankment, expecting to see heap of
broken, twisted iron mixed up with the
dead and dying passengers.
I then examined the crossing and
found the line in good condition. A
small slip had been caused by a large
current of water, but everything-so far
as I could see-was in perfect order.
What could it all mean? And in an
agony Of fear and dread I stood still and
thought. In my excitement I 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 a 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 I 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,
I suddenly stopped. The switch was
turned. could not believe it possible
that had been SO careless as to leave it
in such condition. II the express should
come along when it was turned, nothing
could save her from being dashed down
steep embankment.
While I was still wondering at the
strange condition of things 1 heard the
long, shrill shrek of the belated and, as
supposed, wrecked express. The next
moment the headlight Of the engine rush
ed in sight around the curve and made Il
long path of light along the line.
There was evidently no accident, but
there would be one in 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 I do it? started for the station
on dead run.
do not know how I reached it. Twas
dimly conscious of running blindly
through the darkness, stumbling against
the rails, and finally leaping upon the
platform, Selling the iron lever desper-
ately in both hands.
heard the heavy bolts fly into their
sockets, and then, before I could ''key''
it, the heavy wheels rumbled over the
switch. It seemed for a moment that
the heavy pressure would jerk the lever
out of my hands, but I chung to it tena-
ciously, and finally the last wheel rum
bled over the fatal place.
The evening express did not usually
stop at the station, but merely slowed
up to see if there were any passengers.
But before could recover from my ex-
element the long line of black carriages
were brought to standstill and the
guard was hurrying toward me.
"Jim," he said, s'take this package and
lock it up securely in the safe until called
for. Be very careful Of it, for it is some
thing valuable. will explain later"
Then, without waiting for a reply, he
showed small, heavy parcel into my
hands, blew his whistle and leaped upon
the train.
The next moment the long line of car
riages was swiftly flying southwark, and
was once more alone.
BY this time I felt SO thoroughly ex-
hausted by the excitement and strain
upon my nerves that Ireeled into the sta
ton like drunken man.
I dropped into chair, completely be-
wildered. The parcel lay before me,
but I took no notice of it, my thoughts
being busy with the strange events Of
the evening.
There we're no signsof the woman who
had started me off to FIND che wrecked
train. In fact, felt too tired to search
for her. She had sent me on wild goose
chase and came near causing the death
Of many people, and to my mind she
seemed to deserve punishment little short
Of death.
The storm was still raging without.
The thunder shook the station to its
foundation, and the wind helped to make
it seem like cradle rocked with invisi-
BILE hands.
I remained seated in my chair, staring
I