The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1897-03-19

lie finished his Oi!ing and went back
to the cab.
Ten minutes, Johnny" he said to
the fireman, as ne handed the Oll-can
up to him. IN step back into the
coach, and | guess You had better
open your door. Steam is pretty well
up now
EmmonS was chatting gaily with
Carrie, but, when Alcck entered, he
said, rather brusquely.
"All ready, Carson? Go aheado
Aleck looked at his watch, to make
sure that he was right.
"Do you mean 90 ahead?" he asked,
in some surprise.
Yes; 20 ahead" said Emmons,
quite sharply.
There were several Of the head men
os the road In the car, and AleCk look
ed toward them for Instructions, well
knowing the hazard Of starting out
on another trains time. They took
no notice Of his look, however.
"Of course you know we are run
ming Wild" he said to Emm0nS, loud
enough for all to hear
II know my business" replied En-
mons. Go ahead, say
Again Aleck looked back to the 9TH
er end Of the car, but more particu-
larly to Mr. Harvey, the manager Of
the road. That gentleman said moth
ing. and once more Alcck turned to
EmmOns.
"Emmons, are you sure you know
your business
eco ahead" screamed Emmons,
white with rage. "And give her all
the steam you've got. 1t you are not
too much Of coward--'
"Stop" said Acck, his face pale,
but determined. 81 you say 60 ahead,
| Will 60, if | strip my engine to
strings but it IS the last time you
ever run the train that ! am coupled
to-
Aleck now turned to Carrie.
"Iou must not 60 ON this train,
said he. Come"
And before Carrie had time to excr-
else a will OF her own. she bent to his
stronger one, and went out Of the car
with him.
"GOod-by, Carrie, if never see you
again, SAID Aleck, as lie hurried away
to his engine.
lie sprang into the cab, and, giving
the bcl-cord one pail, lie opened the
throttle, and the engine started.
"l'm afraid there's death to some OF
us, Johnny glancing back to where
Carrie stood watching the train, as it
moved ont OF sight. "Thc freight is
due in four minutes, and we shall
meet it. But Emmons ordered us out,
and we must go"
On sped the noble en- Ilnc, but Alcck
was not using half his steam.
Help me keep lookout, Johnny"
he said to his fireman. III we are
cautious, it may amount to nothing
more than turn back to the station.
If we can pass the curve, we can see
mies--God have mercy
This exclamation was caused by the
sight OF the approaching freight train.
There was a short, sharp whistle
from each engine, an instantaneous
closing OF two thrOttles; then followed
a grinding crash, and shock which
made the very ground trcmblc Then,
for one blief moment, an awful still
ness, broken. at last, by the sound OF
rushing steam-by the cries and
shouts Of men, as they crawled from
beneath the debris Of the wrecked
trains, and by the grOans OF others,
less fortunate.
Carrie Davis watched the train out
Of sight, and then went into the wait
ing-r0om, to remain until the express
arrived. Alexis last words-"Good-
by, Carrie, if never see you again
had fallen with crushing weight upon
her ears. A forcboding Of some ter
riblc danger to Alcck took possession
OF her, and she paced uneasily up and
down the track. After half hour OF
this suspense, she saw a man running
toward the depot. She recognized
Alcck's fireman, Johnny. She threw
up the window just iu time to speak
to him.
"Alcck-what of Alcck?" she cried.
Il can't tell don't know an
swcrcd johnny without stopping.
Both trains are stove to slivers."
Down dropped the heavy window,
and down dropped Carrie into seat;
but she rallied instantly, aud calmly
witnessed the preparations for rcllel
to the unfortunate men.
Another hour Of the most terrible
suspense, and the relief train came
back.
One by one the men filed out of the
coaches, some OF them slightly bruised,
but all wearing a cheerful aspect, that
ought to have given Carrie hope But
il did not. She was looking for Aleck,
and saw nothing, only that he was
not there.
"Was anyone killed." she timidly
| nsLrd Ynt drcadinr To be answered