The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-02-08

track on the keen jump"
The conductor sprang to MS 1cel'
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 kno"
enough to stop at a crossing:'
1T isl.'t that" said Saggart, "lic
knows all right, even the trim boys
know that. Old 81 has taken the
bit between her teeth; she's runnInH
away with him: he can't stop hei'
Where do you pass No. i tonight
AT P~Ointsvillc."
That's six miles ahead. In I'VE
minutes at this rate VIC will be IN
ming on her time and her track.
She's always late, and won't be on
the sidetrack. ! must get to So"
Saggart quickly made his way
through the baggage ar, climbed On
the express car and jumped on the
coal of the tender. He cast his eye
up the track and saw glimmcrIng IN
the distance, like a faint, waver'og
star, the head light Of No. i. Look
ing down into the cab he o o in the
situation at IA glance. The enginee
with fear in his face and beads OF
pcrspiration on his brow, was throw
ing his whole weight on the lever,
the fireman helping him. John
leaIcd down to the floor Of the cab
stand aside" he shouted, and
there was such a ring OF confident
command in his voice that both mcn
instantly obeyed.
Saggart graspcd the lever and in
stead of trying to shat of steam,
flung it wide open. Nc ST gave a
CULVER and a jump forward.
'You old TEND" muttercd John
between his clenchcd teeth. Then
he pushed the lever home and it sid
into place As if there never had been
any impeachment. The steam was
shut O !, but the lights OF Pointsville
flashed past them, with tn empty
sidetrack on the left, and they were
now flying along the single line OF
rails, with the headlight Of No. &
growing brighter and brighter in
front Of them.
".cversc her, Reverse her." cried
the other engineer, with a tremor Of
fear in his voice.
"Reverse nothing" said Saggart.
shell slide te miles # YOU do.
jump if you are afraid
The man from the branch line
jumped promptly.
On. -, -. 4 - -nil nrrar e
the fireman, "therc's bouad t. bc a
smash"
IN stick by you Mr.. Saggart,'
said the fireman, who knew him.
But his hand trembled.
The airbrake Wa, grinding the Ions
train and sending a shiver of feaI
through every timber. but The rail.
were slippery with the frost and the
train was still going very fast. AT
the right moment John reversed the
engine and the sparks flew up from
her great drivers like a Catherine
wheel
"Bra"c YOURSELF" cried Saggart
''No q is hacking up, thank Cod
Next instant the crash came. Two
headlights and two cOwcatcners went
to flinders. and the two trains stood
there with horns locked, but with no
great damage done except a shaking
up Tor a lot Of panic-stricken passcn-
gers.
The hurley engineer of No. Is Jumped
down and came forward, his mouth
full of Oaths.
"Nhat do you mean running en-
our time like this? Hello, is that
you, Saggart: l thought there was
a new man Oh tonight. l didn't *
pect 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 IA he Jumped. Old
So is to blame. She got on the ram
page, Took advantage of the green
horn"
The conductor came running up.
GLOW is it," he cried.
Its all right. No. So got her
nose broke and ser, ed her right,
that's all. Tell the passengers there's
no danger and get 'em on beard.
wv SoliIS W JAIN up w IOlIlS-
Vile. 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
president" said the conductor en-
phaulcally. Hes in ii condition Of
mind to listen to reason, Judging
from the glimpse l got of his face at
the door OF his car a moment ago.
Either he reinstates you or | 60
gathering tickets on a street car.
This kind OF thing is TOO exciting for
my nerves
The conductors interview with the
president Of the road was apparently
satisfactory, for old Nc. st us trying
TO lead a better life under the guild
ance of John SaUpart -Datroit Eroo