The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-05-02

Inc conductor looked up, WIN slnllc.
"Old So" said he, "is evidently going
to make up for lost time"
"Shc should be slowing down for cross
ing the G. and NJ. line, " answered the en-
ginecr. "G9Dd hcavensl' he cried mo-
mcnt later. "Wc'vc gone across the G. and
NJ. track on the keen iump!"
The conductor jumped to his feet. He
knew the seriousness of such thing. Even
the fastest expresses must stop dead before
crossing on the level the line of another
railway 1t is the law.
doesn't that jay in front know enough
to stop at crossingY"
at isn't that " said Saggart "He knows
all right. Even the train boys know that.
Old SO has taken the bit between her teeth
She's running away with him. He can't
stop her Where do you pass No 8 to-
nightY'
"At Pontsvillc."
"That's six miles ahead In five minutes,
at this rate, we will be running on her time
and her track. She's always late and
won't be on the side track. l must get to
So"
Saggart quickly made his way through
the baggage car climbed on the express
car and jumped on the coal of the tender
He cast his eye up the track and saw glim-
mcring in the distance, like faint, wa
vcring star, the headlight of No. 8. Look
ing down into the cab he took in the sit
uUtion at a glance. The engineer, with
fear In his face and beads of pcrspiration
on his brow, was throwing his whole
weight on the lever, the fireman helping
hilp John lcapcd down to the floor of the
Sab.
"~tand asidc!' he shouted, and there
"a nf In,
his voice that both men instantly obeycd.
Sag@art graspod the lever, and instead
of trying to shut off the steam flung it
wide open. No. So gave culver and
jump forward.
You old flCnd," muttcrcd John be-
tween his clinchcd teeth. Then he pushed
the lever home, and it slid into place as if
there never had been any impcdment.
The steam was shut off, but the lights of
Pointsvillc flashed past them, with the
empty side track on the left, and they were
now flying along the single line of rails
with the headlight of No. 8 growing bright
er and brighter in front of them.
"Rcverse her! Reverse her" cried the
other engineer, with tremor of fear in his
voice.
"Reversc nothing, " said Saggart "Shc
will slide 10 miles if you do. Jump if you
are afraid
The man from the branch line jumped
promptly.
"Savo yourself" said Saggart to the
fireman. "Thcrc's bound to be a smash"
"Ill stick by you, Mr.. Saggart " said
the fireman, who knew him. But his hand
trcmblcd.
The airbrakc was grinding the long
train and sending shivcr of fear through
ltt l., Lii,
with the frost and the train was still 90
ing very fast At the right moment John
reversed the engine, and the sparks flew
up from her great drivers like catherine
wheel.
brace yourself" cried Saggart. "No.
is backing up, thank God'
Next instant the crash came. Two head
lights and two cowcatchers went to fin
derS, and the two trains stood there with
horns locked, but with no great damage
done except a shaking up for lot of pan
ic stricken passengers.
The burly engineer of No. jumped
down and came forward, his mouth full of
oaths.
"What do you mean, running on our
time like thisY Hello, is that you, Sag
CART? 1 thought there was new man on
tonight. l didn't expect this from you !"
Its all right, Billy, 1t wasn't the new
mans fault He's back in the ditch with
a broken leg, l should say, from the way
he jumped Old Sc is to blame. She got
on the rampage. Took advantage of the
greenhorn.
The conductor came running up.
"How is itS' he cried
ITS all right. No SO got her nose
broke, and served her right, that's all
Tell the passengers there's no danger and
get 'em aboard. We're going to back up
to Pointsville. Better send the brakeman
to pick up the other engineer. The grounds
hard tonight, and he may be hurt"
I'm going back to talk to the presi
dent, said the conductor emphatically.
Hes in condition of mind to listen to
reason, judging from the glimpse got of
his face at the car door moment ago. Ell
Their he reinstates you or go to gathering
tickets on "A street car. This kind of thing
is too exciting for my nerves. ~
The conductor interview with the pres
ident of the road was apparently satisfac
tory, for old No Sc is trying to lead bet
ter life under the guidance of John Sag
gart.-DetroH Free Press.