Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1895-04-10
RIDING TO DEATH.

lily name Ia Morgan Grcnobic, ana today
have reached tho turning point OF my
thirticth VAR. People say that i look
"odd," with almost snow white hair, and
wonder how IL came To bo thus 10 one ~
young.
Eight years ago, on tho Goth Of thig
very month, i stood at the altar with
Laura Comstock.
was telegraph operator and was sta
toned ut Wayburg, n station 20 miles from
Stockton, and at tho terminus Of tho then
d. Il. and G.. X. railway
Returning from our honeymoon i left
my wife In Stockton and proceeded to
Waybufg, intending to remain at my old
post until relieved which thought would
be I'm a few days, as my offered resignation
had been accepted at headquarters The
engineer on the "up" train was Mark
Moore a rather handsome young fellow,
who had been my rival for the hand Of the
woman / called my WIFE
When the train stopped ut Moreland's,
alighted from the passenger coach and
walked forward to the engine. Mark was
busily engaged oiling tho machinery.
''How arc you, Morganr' 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
burgY"
YES"
"Just get I'm with me, them" he said.
replied that would do so, and wher
the train moved away was occupying e
seat In tho engine, chatting with the cngi.
neer.
lone hardly notices the ascent, but the
descent is an entirely different thing. i
was thinking, Morgan, what II terrible
thing it would be If an engine with full
power on, were to become unmanagcable
at the top of the grade and dash away"
"And If man bent on revenge were to
place q fellow creature bound on the en-
CINE, what terrible death he would has
ten to, with almost lightning rapidityP'
The following night was dark and tenn
pestuous, and 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 2 o'clock In the afternoon to saw
him moving about the engine Until 10 ]
watched the little machine. Then Mark
opened the door and stepped into the small
apartment.
"Are you receiving a dispatch, MorganP"
he asked.
''No, Mark. Why do you. askS''
Because IL you are not 1 wish you
would leave the clickers 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 1 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.
II dare not be SO long absent from my
post at this hour, Mark"
"Pooh, man, there's no danger. You
must go wnlE. ne"
"But cannot, Mark
He put his lantern on the ground and
then sprang erect.
"You shall, Morg Grcnoble!" he cried,
and before could answer him he dashed
me to the earth and planted his knees on
my breast.
"Not word out of you, Morg," he said
fercely, producing a rope. "I'l tell you
what I'm going to do. You know we
were discussing the consequences attend
|, ing the rush of maddened engine down
the grade. I reckon I won't go to Chal
mers, but will send you clear to the bot
tom Of the grade
Mark Moore, you are mad" said.
would you murder me n<cold blood and
Others who are coming up on the 11:10
passenger"
Yes" he said coldly.
/ might have resisted, but resistance
would have availed me nothing, for was
constitutionally weak, while he was lion.
"Therep' he said at last as he closed the
furnace door. "Eyerything is ready for
your ride. You'll go right through Stock
ton, but reckon you won't have time to
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 Moorev' 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 its tender seemed to rival that Of the
telegraph.
The towns, with their glimmering
lights, appeared and were gone in a flash.
The manner in which was bound per-
mitted me to look out of the window.
did SO, and Stockton, the home Of my
wife, greeted me with it's manly lights.
Ahead 1 saw many people waiting for
the IL: 10 passenger.
The next moment was carried past
them.
saw their astonished faces and heard
piercing shrick.
! recognized the voice as my wife's.
There was one hope for me-just one.
Perhaps the operator Mt Stockton had
telegraphed down the grade, and, thus
warned, the coming train would switch
and save It's passengers from death.
Looking out I saw far ahead the glaring
headlight Of the southern train.
To me 1t looked as though It stood on
my track. Evidently the train had not
been warned.
Suddenly heard a man shout, "Stand
backW and then, crashl-all was dark
"Is he injured muchr' somebody asked.
sympathizing faces bent over me, and