The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-03-26


sometimes she bad TO be coddled up
The conductor came in again aid
sat down beside the engineer. he
said nothing, but sat there sossing
out his tickets, while SagGart gazed |
out OF the window. Suddenly the
engineer sprang TO his feot with his
eyes vide open. The train was swaying
from side to side, and going at great
speed.
The conductor looked up with a
smile.
"old 49," he said, sis evidently
going TO make up for lost time.p
"She should be slowing down on
crossing the q. and M. line,n answered
the engineer. Good heavens p he
cried q moment after. "We've gone
across the G. and M. track on the keen
jump
The conductor sprang to his feet.
He knew the seriousness of such q
thing. Even the fastest expresses
must stop dead before crossing on the
level the line OF another railway. 1t
is the law.
doesn't that jay in front know
enough to stop at q crossing ?n
sit isn't that" said Saggert. she
knows all right; even the train boys
know that. Old SO has taken the bit
between her teeth: he can't stop her.
Where do you pass No. 9 to-nightP ?"
AT Pointsville."
"That's six miles ahead. In five
minutes at this rate we will be running
on her time and her track. She's
always late, and won't DO on the side
tack. i must get to 49," &
Saggart quickly made his way
through he baggage car, climbed on
the express u and jumped on the coal
L n the tnpIa, II 1nnk hi. &,,O - 4l1
track and cav glimmering In the dis
lance, like a faint, wavering star, the
headlight of No. 8. Looking down in
the cab he took in the situation at a
glance. The engineer, with fear in
his face and beads of perspiration on
his brow, was throwing his whole
weight on the lever, the fireman help
ing him. John leaped down to the
floor of the cab.
"Stand aside," he shouted, and there
was such a ring of confident command
in his voice that both men instantly
obeyed.
Saggart grasped the lever, and,
instead Of trying to shut off the steam,
flung 1t wide open. No. SO gave u
CULVER and q jump forward.
"You old fiend," muttered John
between his clenched teeth. Then he
pushed the lever home, and it slid into
place as IL there never had been any
impeachment. The steam was shut off,
but the lights of Pointsvilie flashed
past them, with the empty side track
on the left, and they we're now flying
along the single line of rails, with the
headlight of No. 6 growing brighter
and brighter in front of them.
Reverse her! Reverse her !" cried
the other engineer, with a tremor of
fear in his voice.
Reverse nothing" said Saggart.
! Shell! slide ten miles i~you do
IyeH-arevafraid."
The man from the branch line jumped
promptly.
"Save YOURSELF" said Sagga;tt to the
fireman. There's bound to be a
smash"
"Ill stick by you Mr.. Saggart," said
the fireman, who know him. But his
hand trembled.
The air-brake was grinding the long
train and sending a shiver Of fear
through every timber, but the rails
were slippery with the frost and the
train was still going very fast. At
the right moment John reversed the
engine, and the sparks flew from her
drivers like a Catharine wheel.
brace YOURSELF" cried Saggart.
No. 6 is backing up, thank Godl'
l.. Next instant the crash came. Two
headlights and two cowcatchers went
to flinders, and the two trains stood
there with horns locked, but with no
great damage done except a shaking
up for a lot of panic stricken passen-
gers.
The burly engineer of No. 6 jumped
down and came forward, his mouth
full of oaths.
"What do you mean running on our
time like this? Hello, is that you,
Saggart? l thought there was a new
man on tonight. 1 didn't expect this
from you"
cts all right, Billy. 1t wasn't the
new mans fault. He's back in the
ditch with a broken leg, l should say,
from the way he jumped. Old SO is to
blame. She got on the rampage-took
advantage OF the greenhorn."
h conductor came running up.
low is it?" he cried.
It's all right. No, SO got her nose
broke, and served her right, that's all.
Tell the passengers there's no danger,
and get 'em on board. We're going to
back up to Pointsville. Better send
the brakemen o pick up the other
engineer. The rounds hard tonight,
and he maybe hurt"
SoinS OacK 10 talk TO the pre-
sident, said the conductor, emphati-
cally. He's in a condition OF mind to
listen to reason, judging from the
glimpse L got at the door of his car a
moment ago. Either he re-instates
you, or l go gathering tickets on o
streetcar. This kind of thing is too
exciting for my nerves
The conductors interview with the
president of the road was apparently
satisfactory, for old No. SO is trying to
lead q better life under the guidance
OF John Saggart.