The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-09-27

stopping where the sport was best ana
leaving their locomotive where they could
return to II conveniently for the homs-
ward trip.
The management contrived to get along
in this happy-go-lucky fashion until there
was a failure, a reorganization, and The
road was absorbed by one of the big sys.
TENS.
Twenty-Five years ago Col. Ingersoll
held the position of attorney for the road,
and William Stuart, now living in Chi
cago, was auditor. Mr.. Stuart resided in
Paris with his wife and chlld-a baby
only few months old. This young man
became desperately sick one day, and the
anxious father was sent post-haste to
Fort Wayne, twenty-seven miles away,
for physician. He had expected to re-
turn with the medical aid on the regular
train at o'clock in the afternoon, but
telegram from his wife made him change
his plans. 1t read:
Baby worse. Am almost distracted.
Hurry"
The fond and anxious father determin-
ed upon vigorous action. 1t was three
hours before the regular train started,
and he must get to Paris at once. lie
fastened to the telegraph office and sent
the following dispatch
Robert Hervey, President Illinois Mid
land Railroad Paris, ILL.,: Baby dying.
Must get there with doctor at once. Can
l have light engine and right OF way
w. Stuart"
The message was successful In brief
space of time an engine with one pas
senger car was placed at the excited au-
ditor's disposal. While he was waiting
for 1t to arrive he happened to meet Col.
Ingersol, who was waiting to go to Paris
to lecture that evening.
Let my wife and me go along with
you said Ingersoll, as soon as he learn
ed that a special train was about to leave.
So the train started with the atheistic
orator, his wife and the physician In the
passenger coach. Mr.. Stuart stood over
the engineer in the cab. The auditor had
received still another message just before
starting, which made his face become
more firmly set with a look of grim de-
termination.
1t read:
Think baby is dying. For heavens
sake, hurry"
The engineer started out from Fort
Wayne at a lively pace, but not lively
enough for the man standing over him.
"Fasterl' was the curt order.
The throttle was opened a little wider.
The train bumped and pounded along Still
the grim-looking man in the cab was not
satisfied.
"Open that throttle widerr' he de-
manded.
The speed increased. Telegraph poles
flew by in quick succession, The light car
swayed from side to side, and bumped
ominously. Mrs. Ingersoll became alarm
ed but her husband remained cool.
Stuart was telling me not long ago."
he remarked, that if any member Of his
family were injured through the careless
ness of an engineer he should be inclined
to shoot the man responsible"
The uneven roadbed made the car shake
and rattle. The passengers were jolted
and churned. The train was already max
ing the fastest time on record for that
road. Still it was too slow for the desper
ate father The last telegram was burn
ing in his pocket. His heated brain pic
tured the scene at his home and he turn
| ed determinedly upon the engineer.
"Open that throttle as far as it will co.
he ordered.
wen all be killed if I do" protested
the engineer. ITS wonder we've kept
| the track as long as we have. The road
| bed is worse ahead of us"
open that throttle" was the stern re-
Spouse.
It was the auditor Of the road who made
the demand, and the engineer obeyed
The locomotive charged forward like
| demon The kissing of steam, the furious
| ly rapid puffs from the smokestack, the
| grinding of the wheels, the roar of the
fires under the boilers, the pounding upon
the rails, and the uproar of the moving
| train drowned all other sounds.
| Mrs. Ingersoll nearly tainted with fright
| and the physician became fearfully APP
| prehensive. Col. Ingersoll repressed his
| nervousness.
q think" he remarked. dryly, recalling
| the auditors second remark, that we
| shall have to shoot Stuart"
The speed became terrific. Every in
| slant the engine seemed to be leaving the
| rails The train gave lurch now and
! then as it struck some place where rail
| had sagged. Everybody shut his eyes and
held his breathA death But the
| engine and car swung back again each
| time. caught the rails and dashed on.
For some distance the track ran along
! an embankment. Near the end of this
was a sharp curve Toward this they rush.
ed. The engineer shut off steam and tried
to slow up, but the Roadway was too
| great.
chiefs back there" remarked the fire.
man.
Mr.. Stuart set his face in the other di-
rection.
It is at this time that Ingersoll is
charged with having commenced silent
PRAYER. He was perfectly still for time
as the train was hurled toward the dread
full curve. AS they reached 1t all the
wheels on one side seemed to be lifted
from the track. There was jerk which
sent everybody flying from his seat Each
one felt sure he was tumbling down the
embankment to eternity. But no. Engine
and car righted themselves, catching the
rails like a cat lighting on its feet. The
grim man in the cab seized the throttle
himself and opened it wide again.
A COW appeared on the track ahead. In
an instant she was struck and sent head
long AS the stations flew by the opera
tors came rushing out to gaze as If thun-
derstruck at the disappearing train. An
occasional farmer looked up and gasped.
Near the close of the run came the
worst danger OF all. The engine and
coach had passed. over the rough track
so far in safety and all the passengers
were beginning TO feel relieved. AS they
approached the last station before Paris
a freight train was noticed on the track
ahead. A mistake in orders had been
made. and it was only then creeping on
a siding out of the way. 1t was impossi-
bile TO stop the swiftly moving engine and
car and a collision seemed imminent
For the second time during the journey
the renowned atheist remained with
bowed head.
The distance between the two trains
c.rou, 1ees and less Disaster appeared