Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1895-05-05
RIDING TO DEATH.

People say that l look "odd" with
almost snow white hair, and wonder
how it came to be thus to one so
young.
Eight years ago, come the 18th OF
this very month, 1 stood at the altar
with Laura Comstock.
was a telegraph operator and was
stationed at Wayburg, a station tWen-
ty miles from Stockton, and at the ter
minus of the then d. G.. & G. r. rail-
way.
Returning from our honeymoon l
left my wife in Stockton and proceeded
TO Wayburg, intending TO remain at
my old post until relieved, which l
thought would be in few days, as
my offered resignation had been ac-
cepted 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 j called my wife.
When the train stopped at More
lands 1 alighted from the passenger
coach and walked forward to the en-
CINE. Mark was busily engaged olIlng
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 Waybug?" he asked.
'Yes."
Gust get in with me, then" he said.
I replied that l would do so, and
when the train moved away | was oc-
cupying a seat in the engine, chatting
with the engineer.
"One hardly notices the ascent, but
the descent is an entirely different
thing. l was thinking, Morgan, what
q terrible thing it would be If an en-
CINE, with full power on, were to be-
come unmanageable at the top Of the
grade and dash away"
l shuddered.
"And if man bent on revenge were
to place a fellow creature bound on the
engine, what a terrible death he would
hasten to, with almost lightning rapid
ity."
Suppose the engine should encoun-
ter the O. passenger"
"Then death would spread his wings
over the spot of the collision"
had no desire to pursue the CONVEX
sation further, but he persisted in it,
and l was greatly relieved when the
train ran into Wayburg.
The following night was dark and
tempestuous, and l alone occupied the
station, watching the little machine
before me.
That day new engine had arrived
oDd Mark Moore had been put in
charge Of it.
From two o'clock in the afternoon
to five | saw him moving about the
engine.
Until ten I watched the little ma
chine. Then Mark opened the door
and stepped into the small apartment
Are you receiving a dispatch, Nor
gan2' he asked.
mo. Mark: why do you ask?'
Because if you are not l wish you
would leave the clicker a bit and como
and look at my Red Bird by lantern
light. I am going to run down grade
to Chalmers. reverse the engine and
run back. The train will not be due
here for an hour, and l can go to Chal-
mers and return within twenty min
utes."
We walked into the great temporary
shed where the new and beautiful en-
CINE stood, ready to run off at the COM
mand of It's master.
''I dare not be so long absent from
my post at this hour, Mark
pooh, man, there is no danger. You
must go with me-
But | cannot, Mark"
He put his lantern on the ground and
then sprang erect.
You shall. Morg GrenOble" he
cried, and before l 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. "Iu
tell YOU what I'm going to do. You
know we were discussing the conse-
Quence attending the rush of a mad en-
CINE down the grade. reckon l won't
20 to Chalmers, but will send you clear
to the bottom of the grade
Mark Moore. you are mad l said.
Would you murder me in cold blood
and others who are coming up on the
11:10 passenger?'
yes, he said coldly.
I might have resisted, but resistance
would have availed me nothing, for l
was constitutionally weak, while he
was a lion.
Now for the ride to death" he
cried. lifting me up and bearing me
into the little engine room.
Again l pleaded for mercy; but as
we'll might / have pleaded to stone,
for he met my prayers with taunts.
What will it profit you, Mark,
asked. Ito wreak your revenge on me?
The hounds of justice will run you to
earth, and you will suffer for your
crime"
What care u"
There he said at last as he closed
the furnace door. Everything is
ready for your ride. You'll go right
through Stockton; but I reckon you
won't have time to stop TO speak TO low
ing Laura. Good bye, 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