The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-06-06

lookout cave, the men ceased their fruit
less efforts and jumped from their peri,
louS position. This was what jessie nau
seen as she was looking at the sunlit rocks,
and when she started out ON the engine
it was with the intention of catchlng the
train and with the powerful aid OF the
machine, stop the runaways before they
would crash into the now overdue pas
senger train. She had seen her father
once catch a few slowly moving ears un,
der the same conditions, and she believed
she could do it herself.
For two miles the big pushing engine
tore up the hill at full speed, then, clos
ing the throttle and applying the ar
brake she brought the painting monster TO
standstill at point where she had an
unObstructed view of the track for nearly
200 yards. AS the noise of the rafting
machinery and brake ceased, she could
plainly hear the roar of the now rapidly
running train as it rushed toward her.
Suddenly it shot into view from behind the
wall of rock at the curve, and as 1t dld
the girl started the engine slowly down the
hill. The train gained rapidly, but with
unerring Judgment, Jessie increased the
speed of the engine. Both engine and
cars were now running at dangerous
rate, but foot by foot the gap between the
two lessened until with one mighty I'M
part they came together. Then the
brave girl opened full the valve of the air
brake 1t scarcely made an impression
on the swiftly moving train, and that
awful curve at the bridge was almost in
sight. With the rapidity of thought
the girl jerked open the sand lever, and
then with a grand effort the strong young
hands threw over the great reverse lever.
1t caught in the proper notch and then the
throttle came open and the mighty force
of nearly 200 pounds of steam was
brought to the aid of the air-brakes. The
speed was still dangerously high, as the
ponderous engine, rolling and rocking
like ship in storm at sea, rounded
the treacherous curve, and there burst
upon the girls sight the passenger train
standing at the siding beside the cottage.
She could not hope to stop the train in
that short distance, but once more her
knowledge of railroad craft did not de-
sert her One hand went up to the
whistle cord and the hoarse duplex"
rOared out the three short blasts-back
up. A cloud of smoke and steam rose
from the passenger engine and it slowly
backed away from the dangerous position.
AS the train passed the siding men
clambored upon the cars, more brakes
were applied, and before the edge of the
level platform was reached the train was
AS her father helped Jessie to the
ground, Mr.. -, Freds father. ac-
companied by his son, came up from the
passenger train. The old gentleman
sclutinized the girl closely, while Fred
was going into raptures over the splendid
success of his little friends brave effort.
He said but little when his son asked
him if it wasn't the best he had ever
heard tell of; merely saying: "My dear,
the company will surely remember and
reward so meritOrous an action"
The passenger train backed down to
the junction while Clark and his fireman
coupled up the cars and followed. The
passenger train went up the mountain
after dark that night. The next morn
ing, as it passed the little cottage, Jessie
saw her boy friend on the rear platform
of the coach. AS he passed Fred threw
off slip of paper, but the wind caught
it and it landed in the waters at the bot
tom of the cannon. Her only remark
was: ''Fred's gone without his glasses"
A NJ. STRONG.