The morning call., 1893-02-17
THE NIGHT TRAIN

Twas very young when first put in charge
of the night express. but | had begun my
career as gu engineer so early-being only
10 when / first ran the Middlesex mail
that was an experienced hand when put
upon the ''61O night express" though only
q years old.
Linden was our second trip on the run
out-thirty- eight miles-and the town, with
its dull. crooked. half-paved streets. It's
quaint old cathedral and pretty outlying
country seats. was very dear to me, tor 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 evenings Nellie was often there,
awaiting my coming. and, while Joe was
watering the engine. l managed to have
few pleasant words with her before we
were ready to start again. Then as the
belrope signaled go ahead" and | stepped
upon the engine, 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 l had SO lOnged 10
tell her, and heard the answer for which
my heart had hardly dared to hope.
How light were my abors, with my love
to cheer me oni How dear the thousand
little evidences of that love. uttered in her
own sweet, delicate way!
We were to be married In the fall, and all
event merry az marriage bell" when all
accident occurred To me as l was running
the "Firefy"-my dear old eDgine-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 a curve, we saw man COM
ing down the track, waving red flag.
hra IN ~
at a standstll. and, leaving Joe TO take care
of the engine, / hurried forward with the
conductor to see the cause oil the danger
signal. Coming uD with the flagman, we
learned that a freight train was off the
track mile further up the road, and Tor
two whole hours we waited on the main
track, while the heavy freghtcars were
being unloaded and righted. At last "Clear
track was signaled. and L sounded the
whistle for "All aboard"
Put her through pretty lively when you
get clear track" said Charlie, the conductor.
I've telegraphed ahead and we'll have the
right-of-way from here straight through.
Now, let her jump. Harry, and We'll make
up time before we reach Sadler's."
Twilight was fast coming on us. The
switchlghts ahead winked their red eyes,
and showed pair of white ones. TO tell us
all was right; the headlight OF our
engine was lit, throwing a 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 10 Market
| fields Junction. our first station.
All, If | could have looked ahead-only
as far as Marketields-and could have
seen the broken rail which lay waiting for
| Inc 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 "FiTefly" would
| carry US?
We were bounding across the country Mt
| terrific pace, leaving behind US long
| train of sparks and heavy clouds Of smoke.
| the engine swinging from side to side, and
| almost leaping 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 stations, where the rustlcs were
| tudded 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 we DeaTed Mar
| kettelds. and Joe and i were seated at
| either window, our eyes fixed lntentiy on
| the track ahead, watching for any obstruc-
| ton on the shining rails. which were gisten--
| ing like silver serpents in the brilliancy oil
| our headlight
| Market6elds lights came In sight, and |
| drew the rope over my head. a long, shflii
! whistle sounded over the country, an
nouncng our coming. AS we swung around
| the curve l repeated it.
| Good heavens, Harry! Look! Look
| Look"
| And Joe's hand struck me blow as he
| sprang to my side in SORT of terror, and,
grasping the rope. sounded repeatedly
| Down brakes"
| had seen it, too the figure OF woman
| upon the track, running toward us as she
| wildly waved her shawl in the air, one arm
| uplifted warningly. her face turned full
| upon us In an agony of terror, her flowing
| golden hair lit up in the light of the engine.
as we rushed down upon her at fearful
| speed / reversed the wheels again and