St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-10-26
High Old Railroading.
A Texas DamseI Beats the Train Robber In the
Flight for the Engine.

Old Grizzle," as he was Familiarity
called by the railroad men. was engineer
of"No 60" He had run her for many
years over the 40.mile branch OF the
Southern Pacific road, which formed a
connecting link between the town of La
Grippe and Columbia, on the main line.
She was the only locomotive on that
tap road, and the train was known all
along the route as odd Grizzlies" train.
Several "hold-ups" had recently occur
ed on the main line. Grizzle received a
note, professedly from member of the
robber gang, who claimed to be his
friend, warning him that on or about
the 18th of November his train would be
held up.
The writer of the note suggested that
he make no resistance, but obey orders
and he would be safe.
Grizzle had received similar warnings
during his career as an engine-driver,
but never having been held mp he paid no
attention to the last communication,
thrusting it into the breast pocket of his
work blouse.
His daughter, Gimp, accidently got
hold of the letter. She was beautiful
and daring. She frequently met her IA
theirs train at the crossing below town,
where he was obliged to come to a full
stop, and, boarding the engine, she was
allowed TO run the train into the sta
tion-sonetimes doing the switching as
the coaches were backed into the yard
and the engine placed in its accustomed
stall. She knew mo SO" as Thoroughly
as her father did, and was as passionate
ly fond of the noble structure as is the
proudest jockey of his favorite racer.
She frequently assisted Colby, the FIRE
man, in whipping up' after the days
run to Columbia and back. GriMle sus-
pected that love affair was maturing
between them, and he was not hr
wrong, although the young people had
not vet awakened to a consciousness OF
their mutual affection.
The morning OF the 18th was chilly
with fog. mo 60" was due to leave al
a. m. Gimp'was up, bright and carly,
and had nice breakfast for her father
at 4 80 had put up an unusually hber-
al lunch, and said:-
Papa, I'm going with you today"
pooh, pooh, child. The trip wild DO
too tiresome."
mo, will enjoy it" and slipping into
her gossamer and with jaunty little hat
saucily perched TO one side OF her crown
of jet black hair, she said
II am ready" and Selling the lunch
basket with one hand and her fathers
arm with the other, they hastened to the
stall, where they found Colby in charge
of mo 60" Steam was, up to Ito
pounds and every piece of metal shone
with unusual luster.
"All aboard"-and mo SO" slowly,
gently, and seemingly with conscious
might pulled out for Columbia.
Colby gave Gimp his seat ip the cab
while he fred, and she pulled the bell
rope and whistled for the crossings. The
track was in fine condition-"No 60
steamed unusually well, and the trair
sped along as if proud that Gimp wa.
watching her performance.
1t was now down grade. A SHARP
curve was but half a mile ahead. A
heavy bank of fog lay across the tract
at the edge OF piece of timber. AL
three occupants of the cab discovered a
the same instant that the dry grass 0
tuc prairie was oh LIZ just oSyohu tu
timber
The train slipped down the long grad
with magic ease, and Grizzle was peerinl
out through the open window in front Q
him. AS "69" poked her nose aroun'
the sharp curve and into the heavy ban
of fog, three men sprang up from the ur
derbrush and fred volley into the cal
} Colby dropped to the footboard unhur,
! but too frightened to be of any service
5 Grizzlies right hand dropped from til
] throttle and dangled limp and power
, less, rife ball having broken both bone
:, of the forearm.
: Grizzle had nearly closed the thrott'
I as he struck the down grade, using onl
= steam enough to prevent the valves b
e coming dry and cutting the valve seat
: As 100" struck the slightly up grade {
l. the edge of the timber the speed slacke
n ed, the coupling pin between tender ar
/. train was relieved of tension, which ga,
IS the robber who had concealed himself I
is "blind baggage" the opportunity to pit
N the pin, separating engine and train, ar
m jumping into the tender, drew his 1