The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-01-08

I DTiQRe tender. IL was pitcn DARK ana the
lights in the house and train were the only
things visible. The reporters got out and
/ followed the brakeman to the house. An
/ old man the father of the bridge tender,
was the only person at BONE
II don't see how you ever goin' to git to at
air draw closed, ~ he said hopelessly, after
the situation had been explained 70 him.
/ Dan amt ter home, and / don't know
/ whar yen find him. He went out to see his
/ gal a spell ago, and l calcerlate he be out
/ a drivin' somewhat"
/ The promise Of 81 Frightened the old
mans wits oonsdera oily. but even at the
best the reporters saw that the most serious
problem yet encountered confronted them.
I In order TO close the draw IL would be necee-
sary TO have boat. To row out from the
bank IN the bridge tenders fiat bottom scow
would take about an hour, as IL was a long
/ distance and the tide would be dead against
the rover. To lose that much time at that
late hour would be fatal 70 the success Of the
expedition. IL was finally decided TO take
the boat on the train as far as IL was safe
( and then lower il from the tracks. This In
/ volved good deal OF risk IN the darkness,
/ but no other course remained The boat was
| lifted out OF the water by the combined
/ strength Of the brakeman, the old man and
! the reporters, and put on the rear platform
| Of the car. Then. while the train moved
slowly out as far as the engineer dared TO
/ go rope was fastened to the bow and an
! other to the stern OF the boat.
| The darkness was so intense that when
| the men got out OF the car on the tracks
they were uncertain whether the opening in
the bridge was close at hand or far away. 10
was a very cold night, and the tracks were
covered with ice. making them very treAch-
| erous 10 walk upon. The boat had TO be
lifted out from the platform Of the car and
on TO the tracks, which was no easy task,
considering the liability Of a man TO slip
and 20 down into the water below at any
moment. IL was finally brought down all
right however. and then the men prepared
| to lower it to the water It went all right
until it was half way down, when one Of the
ropes broke. nearly causing all to lose their
footing. The boat turned a complete somer-
sault, and the anxious reporters, who
watched IL with their hearts in their mouths,
expected TO see 10 disapp ear under the water.
BY an unexpected stroke Of good luck, how
ever-the first they had yet had-the boat
landed right side up, and, with the excep-
ton Of shipping little water, was not In
Jured. Had il capsized the expedition
would have ended ingloriously right there.
| One OF the reporters and the old man
Skinned down a pillar and got into the boat.
ana few minutes later the draw was
closed. No further obstacles were encoun-
tered on the road, and at 9 o'clock the train
drew up at Toms River station.
The reporters would never have known It,
for IL looked all the world like the heart of
wilderness. The village was two miles
away over rough and uncertain road.
Fortunately, the fireman knew how to get
there and he started ahead at q trot with his
lantern. The reporters followed and all
ran every step Of the way.
Never before had the quiet people of
Toms River been so surprised as when this
party came rushing into their main street.
The reporters made for the hotel at once
and inquired for the sheriff. He had gone
from Toms River early in the day and had
not returned. This looked serious. A hur-
ried consultation was held aud the follow
ing plan decided upon: Two Of the men
were to drive over to Barnegat Park at
once. The others were to scurry around
Toms River and gather oil the facts they
could. The telegraph reporter was to
tell all he could ascertain to his
companions, who were then to 20
back 30 the train. He was 70 remain
at Toms River to telegraph any late de-
velopments and gather any news there
might be the following day. The men who
soon as possible. but il they did not return
by 1880 O'Clock the train was to 20 on with
the others, who were 20 write all they knew
and trust TO the telegraph reporter for what
facts the two who went 60 Barnegat Park
would brinR Ia.
| IL bOOk eOulc blLno 20 Ret q LcdIn ana
driver, as all the stables we're closed, but
they we're finally obtained, and the driver
spurred by the promise Of reward. urged
the horses along at sharp trot over the
whole ten miles TO Barnsgst Park. When
the driver got tired one man held him while
the other licked the horses. AS soon as they
arrived there one reporter rushed to the
| hotel, while the other searched out the riot
ers. The latter proved to be Italian labor
ers, who had not received their pay for O
long time and had taken summary proceed
ings to force a settlement. They had in.
! jured no one, although this residents of the
| place had been in q state Of abject terror all
day, but had simply taken possession of ths
| property. with the announcement that no
body could come or go until their demands
were satisfied. Toward night they had be-
come more moderate and matters were
fairly peaceful by the time the reporters
reached there.
1t took the latter about ten minutes &c
| get the information they desired, aud then
they started back with the padrone who
had hired the laborers, aud who was glad to
tell all he knew In return for ride to New
| York, which the reporters had promised
him. A glance at their watches told the
reporters that they would probably be toe
| late for their train, aud the driver admitted
that he could not get to the station before
the time set for its departure. The report
| ers felt very blue
sis there any way in which we can con
meet with the tramp they asked.
There is.one chance - replied the driver
after few moments reflection; there is q
road TO the tracks down below here, and ]
think can get you there before the train ,
"Good; try it," said both reporters al
once.
The horses we're urged on anew and tht
wagon leaped over stones and stumps al
frequent intervals. Not a word was spoke
for 1t was all the men could do to keep theil
seats. Presently they reached an embank
| ment.
There are the tracks" cried the driver
land think we are in time"
The reporters jumped out and raced vi
the embankment, followed by the padrone
They could hear the roar Of the train in tbs
distance, and Its headlight burst upon then
as they reached the track. 1t was coming
along at a rapid rate. The reporters yellet
at the top OF their voices. but these were
| drowned in the noise Of the train. Thel
pulled some rails from a neighboring fence
jumped on the tracks and waved them, bu
the engineer did not seem to get them.
sudden inspiration seized the padrone. II,
stopped down and struck match. WheI
he Strengthened up again be held BURNING
handkerchief in his hand. That ATTRACTED
the attention Of tue engineer, and b,
stopped the train long enough to let thl
| men get on