The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-04-11
RIDING TO DEATH.

wonder how it came to be thus to one so
young.
Eight years ago, on the goth of this
very month, I stood at the altar with
Laura Comstock
was telegraph operator and was sta
toned at Wayburg, a station 20 miles from
Stockton, and at the terminus of the then
D. G.. and c. r. railway.
Returning from our honeymoon / left
my wife in Stockton and proceeded to
Wayburg, intending to remain at my old
post until relieved, which thought would
be in few days, as my offered resignation
had been accepted at headquarters The
engineer on the cup train was Mark
Moore, rather handsome young fellow
who had been my rival for the hand of the
woman called my wife.
When the train stopped at Moreland's,
anghted from the passenger coach and
walked forward to the engine. Mark was
busily engaged oiling the machinery.
How are you, Morgan?' he said as he
espied me and held out his hand His
disappointment seemed to have left him.
and he was very pleasant. "Going to Way
burg?"
eyes,
''Just get in with me, then, - he said.
I replied that 1 would do So and when
the train moved away was occupying a
seat in the engine, chatting with the engi-
neer.
Zone hardly notices the ascent, but the
descent is an entirely different thing. I
was thinking, Morgan, what a terrible
thing it would be if an engine with full
power on, were to become unmanageable
at the top of the grade and dash away
"And if a man bent on revenge were to
place a fellow creature bound on the en-
gine what a terrible death he would has
ten to, with almost lightning rapidityl''
The following night was dark and tenn
pestuous, and l alone occupied the station,
watching the little machine before me.
That day new engine had arrived, and
Mark Moore had been put in charge of it.
From O'Clock in the afternoon to 5 1 saw
him moving about the engine. Until 10
watched the little machine Then Mark
opened the door and stepped into the small
apartment.
care you receiving dispatch, MorganP''
he asked.
''No, Mark. Why do you ask?''
Because if you are not I wish you
would leave the CHECKERS bit and come
and look at my Red Bird by lantern light
am going to run down grade to Chal-
mers, reverse the engine and run back.
The train will not be due here for an hour,
and I can go to Chalmers and return
within 90 minutes.
We walked into the great temporary
shed where the new and beautiful engine
stood, ready to run off at the command of
its master
81 dare not be so long absent from my
post at this hour, Mark
''Pooh, man, there's no danger. You
must go with me-
"But 1 cannot, Mark"
He put his lantern on the ground and
then sprang erect.
''You shall, Morg Grenoblel' he cried
and before could answer him he dashed
me to the earth and planted his knees on
my breast.
''Not a word out of you, Morg," he said
fercely, producing rope. ''I'u tell you
what I'm going to do. You know we
were discussing the consequences attend
ing the rush of a maddened engine down
the grade. 1 reckon I won't go to Chal-
mers, but will send you clear to the bot
tom of the grade.
81 Mark Moore, you are mad, - said.
"Would you murder me in cold blood and
others who are coming up on the 11;10
passenger
Eyes, " he said coldly.
I might have resisted but resistance
would have awaited me nothing, for I was
constitutionally weak, while he was a lion.
"There!'' he said at last as he closed the
furnace door. "Eyerything is ready for
your ride. You'll go right through Stock
uOuJ OuD IOChOA YOU MO1 u ldf0 ll4ll6 "
stop to speak to loving Laura Goodby,
Morg. Write when you get to the foot Of
the grade
The engine was moving, and he leaped
Off
May heaven have mercy on your soul,
Mark Moorel' shouted after him.
The grade between Wayburg and Chal-
mers was quite steep, and before 1 reached
the little town the speed of the Red Bird
and IFS fp0dar cnaY1aaA RI riya1 that of fhf
telegraph
The towns, with their glimmering
lights, appeared and were gone in flash.
The manner in which 1 was bound per-
mitted me to look out Of the window.
did SO, and Stockton, the home of my
wife, greeted me with its manly lights.
Ahead l saw many people waiting for
the II 10 passenger.
The next moment I was carried past
them.
saw their astonished faces and heard
piercing shrek
recognized the voice as my wifes.
There was one hope for me-just one.
Perhaps the operator at Stockton had
telegraphed down the grade, and, thus
warned, the coming train would switch
and save its passengers from death.
Looking out, saw far ahead the glaring
headlight of the southern train.
To me it looked as though it stood on
my track. Evidently the train had not
been warned
Suddenly heard a man shout "Stand
backl' and then, crashi- all was dark
''Is he injured much9" somebody asked.
Sympathizing faces bent over me, and
surgeon was examining my wounds
1.-THE ties stopped the engine" said the
surgeon. "We received telegram from
informing ue that the new en- cyina
was rushing down the grade. The south
ern train was switched off upon it's arrival
here, and we set to work to pile innumera-
BILE ties ON the track, which, thank heaven,
checked your mad career :"
Telegraph to Stockton, - said, "to my
wife,
1t seemed as though every bone in my