The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-21
A QUICK Run.

When was youth Of 10 and lived with
my parents in a Pennsylvania town, I had
a taste for railroading and a boyish ambi-
ton to become an engineer. although I
had been educated for loftier pursuits.
During my college vacation lounged
about the station almost constantly maxi
ing friends with the trainsmen and espe-
cially with an engineer named Silas Mark
ley. became much attached to this man,
notwithstanding he was 40 years old and
by no means sociable fellow.
When Markley' fireman left him, I in
duced him to let me take his place during
the remnant of my vacation. So I became
an amateur fireman and liked it exceed
ingly, for the excitement more than COM
pensated for the rough work was requir-
ed to do But there came time when I
got my fill of excitement.
Mrs. Asrkley one day formed plan
which seemed to give her a good deal of
happiness. 1t was her sons birthday, and
she wanted to go down to Philadelphia IN
IFS train without letting him know any
thing about it and there purchase pres
ent for him She took me into her conf
dence and had me to assist her.
1t was midsummer day, and the wealth
err was delightful The train was neither
an express nor an accommodation, but
stopped at the principal stations on the
route. On this occasion, as there were
egraph.
We started without mishap and easily
reached the first station in the time allot-
ted to US. AS we stopped there the boy
ran alongside with the telegram, which he
handed to the driver. The next moment
heard a smOthered exclamation from
Markley.
go back, - he said to tho boy, land tell
Williams to have the message repeated
There a mistake -
The boy dashed of. In ten minutes he
came flying back. Had it repeated, /" he
painted Williams is stOrming at you.
Says there is no mistake-and you'd best
get on. - He thrust the second message up
as he spoke.
Markley read it and stood hesitating for
half a minute. There were dismay and ut
ter perplexity in the expression of his face
as he looked at the telegram and then at
the long train behind him. was watching
him with considerable curiosity. I ven
tured to ask him what was the matter and
what he was going to do.
''I'm going to obey, - he replied CURLY.
The engine gave long shrek of horror
that made me start as if it were Markley's
own voice. The next instant we moved
out of the station and dashed through low
lying farms at a speed which seemed dan
gerous to me.
PUT in more coal, said Markley.
shoveled it in, but took time.
81 More coal, - he said. threw it in
The fields and houses began to fly past
half seen. We were nearing Dufreme the
next station. BLarkley's eye went from the
gauge to the face of the timepiece and back.
MoreP' he said without turning his
eye. I took up the shOvel-hesitated
81 Markley, do you know we are going at
the rate of 60 miles an hourf''
"Coalr'
was alarmed at the stern, cold rigidity
Dufreme. He told me that was the next
halt. The little town approached. As the
first houses came into view the engine sent
it's shrek of warning; it grew louder,
louder
We dashed up to the station, where a
group Of passengers waited, and passed it
without the halt of an instant, catching a
glimpse Of the appalled, faces of the wait
ing crowd. Then we were in the fields
again.
heaped in the coal at intervals, as he
babe me. did it because was oppressed
by an odd sense OF duty, which never
had in my ordinary train work.
He did not move hand or foot except in
the mechanical control of his engine, his
eye going from the gauge to the timepiece
with a steadiuess that was more terrible
and threatening than any CLEAN Of insan-
ity would have been.
Twenty miles, = he muttered. "Throw
on more coal, Jack. The fire is going out y
did it Yes, I did it There was
something in the face Of that man that I
could not resist Then I climbed forward
and shook him by the shoulder.
g Marley ~ I shouted. You are run
ming this train into the jaws of deathP'
81 know It, he replied quietly.
"Your mother is aboard the train. "
He staggered to his feet. But even then
he did not remove his eyes from the gauge.
NFol-s he
pushed in the throttle valve.
Il will not -
81 could throw you eff this engine and
make short work of you, " he said. But,
look here. Do you see the station yonder9
I was told to reach that station by o clock
Tho express train meeting US is due. I
ought to have laid by for it at Dufreme. I
was told to come on The track Is a single
one.
I said nothing. threw on coal If
had had petroleum I should have thrown
it on. But never was cal1ner in my life
Markley pushed the valve still farther. The
engine began to give a strange painting
sound. Far off to the south I could see
the bituminous black smoke Of train.
I looked at Markley inquiringly He
nodded 1t was the expressi
I looked across the clear summer sky at
the gray smoke of the peaceful little vii
lage and beyond that black line, coming
closer, closer, across the sky
In one minute more-well, confess
sat down and buried my face in my hands
I don't think tried to pray.
There was a terrific shrek from the en-
CINE, against which I leaned, and another
in my face. A hot, Kissing tempest swept
past me-
I looked up. We were on the siding,
and the express had gone by. 1t grazed
our end carriage in passing.
Yes, gentlemen, I have been in many a
railway accident, but I have always con
sidered that the closest call ever had.
What was the bIunderg
I don't know. Markley made light of
it and kept it a secret, but no man in the
- = IL IL