Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-07-12


I'm two minutes we were spinnin; in
three, hummin, and in five minutes we
were tearin through the valley like a cy-
clone. 1t was pitch dark night
There they come, yelled Jack before
we had gone 10 miles.
"Lookin back, we saw a shower of sparks
just visible above the tree tops We CON
cludcd at once that was Jim and Mollie's
dad, and that we would have to do some
pretty tall travelin to avoid capture. Mind
you, Jim carried n gun. The engines were
pretty well matched, but of course was
somewhat nervous. Just ahead was a
heavy grade five miles long, and knew it
would be tough pull to get over it, but
once on the other side of the hill our
chances for gettin away would be good.
DO your best, Jack, to keep up stcam,'
l called across to the fireman.
"All of sudden we heard whistle, and
it sounded right behind us. l jumped
with dismay and looked back. There was
Jim, less than half mile away, comm
like house afire. Mollic looked, too; then
her eyes fell on Jack, whose wood was get
tin low, and who had rolled barrel out
from the back part of the tank and was
tryin to bust the head in. She slid out of
my arms, and holdin onto the levers got
down beside the fireman. The first knew
OF it was when l saw her fishin out big fat
hams from the barrel and passin them to
Jack, who was feedin the furnace with
'em. didn't stop to ask any questions.
Bully for you, Jack, l yelled as the steam
gauge jumped up again.
well, that did the business We reach
ed the top of the grade without Jim gain
in another inch, and then we began to
slide downward. Great Jupiter, how we
did drop down that hill! The noise was
terrific, and the old machine rocked like
cradle. Lookin back, saw Mollie standin
on the tank holdin on by the brake her
dress flutterin, her hair BLOWN and her
eyes shinin like stars. I'll never forget
that sight.
Il knew that as soon as Jim reached the
top of the hill he'd be after us lickety
split, and / began to fear we couldn't
make the rifle this time, but all at once q
thought struck me, / shut off steam and
yelled to Jack to put on the hand brakes.
He jumped to the wheel, Molllc helpin
him, and in few minutes we had nearly
stopped.
Jump down, quick, Jack, and open
the switch, said. I'm goin to run up
the bark sidin.'
I'm less time than it takes to tell it we
were on the sidin, the switch reset for the
main track, and then run up in the woods
and stopped. We shut off all lights and
waited.
I'm n minute or two we heard faint
rumble, which changed into roar; then
we could distinguish the clickcty click of
wheels passin over the ends of the rails,
the rattle Of machinery and the hssin OF
steam, while the putin Of the exhaust was
so rapid as to blend into hollow thunder
whirlwind Of sparks became visible, and
then with hop, skip and a jump Jim's
eng ne passed us like streak Of runaway
lightnin, the occupants never drcamin we
were IN the sidin.
We hunted up the nearest preacher and
got married, me with my face all black
and grimy and Mollic without any hat, for
the wind had blowed 1t away Jack was
witness, and let him kiss the bride. for l
thought he deserved it, We got back to
Columbia about midnight, and next morn.
In took out the express as If nothin had
happened"