The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1893-02-10
THE ENGINEERS STORY

| was very young when first put in
charge of the night express, but had
begun my career as an engineer SO
early-being only 19 when | hrst ran
the Middlesex mail that | was an ex-
perienced hand when put upon the
$40 night express, though only 27
years old.
Linden was our second trip on the
run out-thirty-eight miles-and the
town with its dull. crooked. halt-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 evenings, Nell
lie was often there, awaiting my COM
ing, and, while Joe was watering the
engine. | managed to have a few pleas
ant words with her before we were
ready to start again. Then, as the
bell-rope signaled GO ahead" and |
stepped upon the engine, she waved
me pleasant goodbye, 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 Ionged 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
way.
We were to be married in the fall,
and all went merry as marriage
bell" when an accident occurred to me
as | was running the "Firefy"-m
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 a cusve,
we saw man coming down the track,
waving red flag.
Nhistling "Down brakes" we were
soon at a standstill, and, leaving Joe
to take care of the engine, | hurried
forward with the conductor to see the
cause of the danger signal. Coming
up with the flagman, we learned that
further up the road; and for two whole
hours we waited on the main track,
while the heavy freight cars were be-
ing unloaded and righted. At last
Clear track" was signaled and !
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 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 switch lights ahead winIled their
red eyes, and showed a pair of white
ones, TO tell us all was right; the head
light Of our engine Was lit. throwing a
stream Of light down the track. and,
With one l"ng shrek from the whistis
We started down the road at rapid
pace, with a clear run ahead of us of
twenty-five miles to Markettields juno
ton, our first station.
All, if ! could have looked ahead
only as far as Markettields-an and could
have seen the broken rail which lay
waiting for me at an ugly curve, would
/ have told Joe so earnestly to keen
up the ire and see that forty pounds
were on the boilers, as we must tear
along as fast as "Eirehy" would carry
us?
We were bounding across the coun-
try at terrible pace, leaving behind
us long train Of sparks and heavy
clouds of smoke, the engine swinging
from side to side, and almost leapine
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,
numbering under the great stone
archWays, flying past the country sta
tlons, where the rustics were huddled
to see the great train pass; on, on
without pause or rest; through 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 neared
and Joe and were seat
ed at either window, our ewes fixed
on the track ahead, watching
for any obstruction on the shining
rails, which were glistenin9 like silver
serpents in the brilliancy of our head
light.
Marketlields lights came in sight,
and drew the rope over my head A
long, shrill whistle sounded over the
country announcing our coming AS
we swung around the curve ! repeated
it.
Good heavens, Harry! Look look!
ook!"
And Joe's hand struck me blow as
ne sprang to my side in sort of ter
or, and, grasping the whistle rope.
sounded repeatedly: "Down brakes!"
| had seen it, too-the figure of a
woman upon the track, running to-
ward lis, as she wildly waved her shawl
n the air, one arm uplifted warningly,
Ter face turned full upon us in an
Igony of terror, her flowing golden
lair lit up in the light of the engine,
IS we rushed down upon her at fear
al speed. reversed the wheels again
md again, the whistle hoarsely shrek
ng out its warning, but too late-too
ate! We were upon her as she uttered
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