The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-07-07


shook him from head to foot. Outside
the rain poured and the wind howled in
fiendish glee.
For a moment the Mortified boys
watched Dave silently, longing but I'M
able TO comfort him. They understood
the situation clearly, and in magma
ton they could see the limited express
with its car loads of passengers rush
ing through the stormy night to de-
structiOn.
The instrument licked off couple
of messages from the west, but each
time the newly-roused CLEAN of hope
in Dawes face changed to the haggard-
ness of despair.
ANY news?" asked Kit.
They've just stopped the accommo-
dation at Flat Rock was the hOarse
reply. That's ALL
It's four miles from here to Ferry
Junction" said Trude, half to himself.
mo one could run that distance in
time. A horse couldn't do it, even if
we had one"
A Boys Wit.
''But ] know what can" cried Kit,
starting to his feet in great excitement
There was a handcar out here on the
siding this morning, and if it's only
there yet"
1T is" Dave shouted. "Why didn't
1 think of that before? The limited
may be saved yet. There are twenty
five minutes to spare-enough to run
the four miles. If could only go my
selfr'
He jumped up. knocking the chair
over, and with nervous fingers he lit
two red lamps
''Take these" he cried, forcing them
on, ha nd fal,
you may need them Put the car on
number two track-you must run clear
over the bridge and around the curve
then wave the lanterns-steyN the
train. Go at once-don't wait q sec
ond."
will the bridge bear us?'' Trude ex-
claimed anXiously.
Dave looked strangely at the boys.
ITS risky" he said, II won't deceive
you. But that train full of people! A
hundred lives may be lost
The lads glanced meaningly at each
other with mute heroism stamped on
their boyish faces, and each read the
others mind rightly.
Wen take the chances cried Kit.
Its worth risk TO save the limited.
Come on. Trude"
With the lantern flashing in their
hands they ran out of the tower, down
the steps and across the rails to the sid
ing. Tine handcar was there-a low,
four-wheeled truck used by Eepair men.
and fitted with a brake; -the only means
Of propelling it was with the feet.
The boys pushed out on number two
track, and ran behind until it was fair
ly started. As they jumped ON they
shouted goodbye to Dave, who was
standing. in the tower doorway. He
answered with wave of his hand.
A Thrilling Exnerieuco
The first mile of the way was
fairly level grade. and over this the
car whizzed at RAPID and steady
speed. Trude and Kit sat al opposite
ends on the rear. each pushing con-
stantly with one foot against the ties.
Under different circumstances, the
plucky lads must have enjoyed the
wild ride, but now they could think of
nothing but the long train that was
ruling on toward the weakened bridge
They hardly noticed the shrieking
wind and the pouring rain, though
they were soon wet to the skin.
Trude stopped pushing long enough
to jerk off his rubber coat and throw
it over the lanterns.
''They can't blow out, now" he said,
land the rain won't crack the glass;
I'VE can see better. too,'' replied Kit.
81 didn't like that glare in my eyes,
Half a mile from the tower they
met the track-walker whose beat end
ed midway between Beaver station
and Ferry Junction. He lifted his Ian
tern to see the car as it rumbled past,
and shouted something that the boys
could not understand.
Sanders might have gone along,''
said Kit Dave never thought of that"
I'VE would lose precious time in
h i'm ntr-1rd nc