Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1895-05-02

cried moment after. We've gone
across the G. and NJ. track on the
keen jump"
The conductor sprang to his feet.
He knew the seriousness of such
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 font know
enough to stop at crossing?"
at isn't that. said Saggart. He
knows all right; even the train boys
know that. Old Sc has taken the bit
between her teeth he can't stop her.
Where do you pass No. 6 tOnight?'
"At Pointsville."
That's six miles ahead. In five
minutes at this rate we will be run
ming on her time and her track. She's
always late, and won't be on the side
track. l must get to Sc"
saggart quickly made his way
through the baggage car, climbed on
the express car and jumped on the
coal of the tender. He cast his eye
up the track and saw glimmering in
the distance, like a faint. waverlng
star, the headlight of No. 6. Look
ing down in the cab he took in the
situation at glance. The engineer,
with fear in his face and beads Of per-
spiralion on his brow, was throwing
his whole weight on the lever, the fire.
man helping him. John leapel down
to the floor of the cab.
Stand aside, he shouted, and
there was such ring of confident COM
mand in his voice that both men IN
stantly obeyed.
Saggart grasped the lever, and, in
stead of trying to shut off the steam
flung it wide open. No. So gave a
quiver and a jump forward.
"You old fend, muttered John be-
tween his chnched teeth. Then he
pushed the lever home, and it slid
into place as if there never had been
any impediment. The steam was shut
off, but the lights of Pointsville flashed
past them, with the empty side track
on the left, and they were now flying
along the single line of rails, with the
headlight of No. 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 if you do.
Jump if you are afraid"
The man from the branch line
jumped promptly.
"Save yourself, said Saggart to the
fireman. There's bound to be a
smash.
"Ill stick by you, Mr.. Saggart. "
said the fireman, who knew him. But
his hand trembled.
The airbrake was grinding the long
train and sending 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 few from her
great drivers like Catharine wheel.
Brace yourself" cried Saggart,
"No. 6 is backing up, thank God"
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 shaking
up for 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? thought there was new
man on tonight. l didn't expect this
from you.
"It's all right, Billy. 1t wasn't the
new mans fault. He's back in the
ditch with broken leg, | should say i,
from the way he jumped. Old Sc is
to blame. She got on the rampage
took advantage Of the greenhorn."
The conductor came running up.
How is it?" he cried.
"It's all right. No. Sc got her nose
broke, and served her right, that's all.
Tell the passengers there's no danger
and get EN- on board. We're going
to back mp to Pointsville. Better send
the brakeman to pick up the other en-
gineer. The grounds hard tonight,
and he may be hurt.
"I'm going back to talk to the Pres