The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-10-14
THE WOMAN IN BLACK.


upon crawling out of my berth, that
the train was standing stock still.
The porter told me it had been
standing thus for an hour and half.
while had been sleeping the sleep of
the just. I dressed and peeped out,
and saw that we we're alongside the
platform of a country station. 1 took
agood breakfast in the dining car,
and then went out to stroll up and
down the platform.
In the cab sat the driver, or engi-
neer as they call him, alone, waiting.
With the natural fondness of an Eng
Eshman for machinery, I stopped and
gpssiped with him moment about
the engine.
Then offered him a cigar, which
Il took with thanks, and asked me to
come in. 1 swung myself into his
cab.
The engineer, q bright, pleasant
faced man, about 40 years old. ex-
planned to me the uses of the numer-
Gus valves and levers about him. They
were oil as bright and shining as
polish could make them, for an en-
gineer is as proud of his engine as
any housekeeper is of the neatness of
her dwelling. 1 glanced at the two
shining steam gauges with the clock
between them, and then l noticed
what seemed to be an ordinary white
moth, mounted in gilt frame, hang
ing against the wall of the cab.
''Is that for an ornament" asked,
pointing at the moth.
The driver smiled. "Well, partly
for an ornament" he said, "but
good deal more for sentiment. 1 put
that moth there because it saved my
life, and the lives of $50 people as
we'll.
''How in the world could an insect
save human lives?" asked.
swell, will tell you if you want to
hear the story. I reckon there's time
enough before we are able to get out
of this"
81 settled myself in the absent
stoker's seat and prepared to listen"
'It wasn't such long time back"
said the engineer, ''only q year ago
last spring. 1 was running this very
train, and this very engine-old 449.
My fireman, Jim Meade, the same
fellow as I have got now. You can
see him over there leaning up against
the telegraph Office.
"We were timed to leave NJ
about o'clock in the morning, aud
to arrive in s. about o'clock.
On the night when the thing took
place fearful storm of wind and rain
had been raging since early evening,
and was at the height of its fury when
1 started from the engine shed.
''It was about midnight and the
wind seemed to sweep clear round and
through the building. 1t was terribly
dismal. Jim was there, and the en-
gine was all ready, 80, after getting
my working clothes on, ran the en-
gine down to the station. Our train,
the vestibule limited, was an hour late.
gave the engine thorough oiling,
and made sure that all was in order.
Gas we sat in the cab we could hear
the storm raging outside, while the rain,
driven by the gusts of wind, beat
fiercely against the windows. Pres
emily our train came in long and heavy,
consisting mainly of sleepers.
"By and bye the little gong above
my head changed sharply. and with a
puff and hiss of escaping steam we
were off into the night and storm,
rattling over functions, past signal
lights, and between long lines of car
riages till, with roar and rumble,
We rushed over the long iron bridge
and away through the hills. waking
their slumbering echoes with our shrill
whistle.
"The darkness grew more intense,
IL possible, while the wind shrieked
by. The rain became more binding,
all nothing could be distinguished in
The gray murk which enveloped us.
suddenly through the mist and
sain ! saw looming right in front OF