Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-08-08
RIDING TO DEATH.

young.
Eight years ago. come the 10Th of
this very month, l stood at the altar
with Laura Comstock
| was telegraph operator and was
stationed at Wayburg, a station
twenty miles from Stockton, and at the
terminus of the d. G.. q C. r. railway
Returning from our honeymoon
left my wife in Stockton and pro-
ceeded to Wayburg, intending to re-
main at my old post until relieved
which | thought would be in a few
days, as my offered resignation had
been accepted at headquarters.
The engineer on the UP" train was
Mark Moore, rather handsome young
fellow, who had been my rival for the
hand of the woman l called my wife.
When the train stopped at More
lands | alighted from the passenger
coach and walked forward to the en-
gine. Mark was buSily engaged oiIing
the machinery.
''How are you, Morgan?" he saida as
he espied nue., and held out his hand.
His disappointment seemed to have
left INN, and he was very pleasant.
Going to Wayburg?" he asked.
Yes"
''Just get in with me, then" he said
/ replied that | would do so, and
when the train moved away l was oc-
cupying a seat in the engine chatting
with the engineer.
cone hardly notices the ascent, but
the descent is an entirely different
thing. | was thinking, Morgan, what
a tem'ible thing it would be if an en-
CINE, with full power on, were to be-
come Cnmanageable at the top Of the
grade and dash away
j shuddered.
'And if a man bent on revenge were
to place a fellow creature bound on the
engine what terrible death he would
hasten to, with almost lightning
rapidity"
Suppose the engine should encoun-
ter the C passenger"
'sThen death would spread his wings
over the spot of the collision"
1 had no desire 70 pursue the con-
yersation further, but he persisted in
VI, anu ! WIS SIedllA IeIcNSu when
the train ran into Wayburg.
The following night was dark and
tempeStuolS, and | alone occupied the
station, watching the little machine be-
fore me.
That day a new engine had arrived
and Mark Moore had been put in
charge of it.
n'n ~, No aft 10
five ! saw him moving about the en-
gine.
Until ten | watched the little ma
chine. Then Mark opened the door
and stepped into the small apartment
Are you receiving Il Dispatch Nor
GAM" he asked.
''No, Mark why d. YOU ask z"
because if YOU are not, ! wish you
would leave the clici4r a bit and come
and look at my Red Bird by lantern
light. | ann going TO run down grade
to Chalmers, reverse the engine and
run back The train will not be due
here for an hour and | can go to ChaI-
mers and return within twenty min
utes."
We walked into the great temporary
shed where the new and beautiful ell
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's nc danger. You
must go with me-"
But l cannot, Mark"
He put his lantern on the ground
and then sprang erect.
"You shall, Morg GrenOble! he cried,
and before | could answer him, he
dashed me to the earth and planted his
knee on my breast
Not a word out of you, Morg," he
said, fiercely producing a rope. 'INl
tell you what I'm going to do. You
know we We're discussing the conSe-
Quence attending the rush of a mad.
dened engine down the grade |
reckon l won't go to Chalmers, but will
send you clear to the bottom of the
grade"
Mark Moore, you are mad said
Would you murder me in cold blood
and others who are coming on the
11:10 passenger"
Eyes" he said coldIy
might have resisted, but resistance
would have awaited me nothing. for ]
was constitutionally weak while he
was a lion.
Nov for the ride to death!" he
cried lifting me up and bearing me
into the little engine room.
Again / pleaded for mercy; but as
well might l have pleaded to stone
for he met my prayers with taunts
''What will it profit you, Mark"
asked, ito wreak your vengeance OF
me?" The hounds of justice will run
you to earth, and you will suffer FOL
your crime"
"What care II"
"Therei" he said at last, as he CLOSED
the furnace door. Everything /.
ready for your ride. You'll go RICH
through Stockton; but 1 reckon Vol
won't have time to stop to speak t.
loving Laura. Goodbye, Morg; writ,
when you get to the foot of the grade.
The engine was moving and h,
leaped off.
MAY heaven have mercy on you