The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1899-07-08
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forests was thick and heavy with dust
and smoke. For weeks raging fires
had swept through the painless tracks OF
the woods until the lungs seemed contested
with the labor Of breathing the air.
At Branchville long train of ten cars
stood on the main track, while crowds of
curious and anxious people gathered around
it. 1t was called the sire train, because
it was about to start upon perilous jour
ney, in grim race with the fire fend.
Early that noon telegram had been re-
ceived at Branchville from Stony Brook,
which had startled every inhabitant of the
former town. The message said in brief:
"Fire surrounding us Send help at
once Will be cut off before night ~
AS if electrified, everybody tried to do
something for the poor families at Stony
Brook, threatened with such an awful
death but the scene Of the impending
disaster was fifty miles away, and nothing
could be done except to send relief train
to their assistance.
1t so happened that the central express
was being made up at Branchville, and
Big Mike, the engineer, determined to
make the run in the interests Of humanity.
. The conductor OF the train telegraphed to
headquarters for permission, and then had
the track cleared between Branchville and
Stony Brook.
Fully thousand people were assembled
at the depot to see the train start upon its
mission of mercy Big Mike felt the i'm
portance of his position, and he pulled and
blowed about like sea lion in his element.
He was talking with an engineer when a
boy Of about sixteen approached the engine
and said
care you the engineer who takes out this
fire train %
''I'll take it or nobody" Mike respond
ed noting the boys pale face.
''Then sir, will you let me 90 with you?"
'What Take boy along on such a
dangerous run? No, my son, we only want
men-and brave men,"
The boys face dropped and he added in
less hopeful but more pleading voice:
81 may not be brave, but III keep quiet,
and won't get in the way"
Cant do it, my boy, cant do it tell
you we may never come back alive"
''But my poor mother, she'll-'
The tears entered the boys eyes and he
turned his head away to hide them.
"Where is your MOTHER" the engineer
asked
cover there-at Stony Brook.
Big Mike cleared his throat with loud
cough before he answered.
"Well, my lad, III bring her back to
you if anybody cam" he said. 'If We
can't get through, then we'll all perish
together
''But if could 90, too" the boy began
again.
'Youd only be another one to perish.
No, no, my lad, you wait here, and Big
Mike will do all he can for your mother
and all the rest of the people"
Just then the conductor came running
along the platform, and the engineer
climbed down from the engine to learn the
news.
"Another telegram from Stony Brook, !"
the conductor said eXcitedly, "and it says
the fire is almost upon the place, and in
five hours all will be over"
"Then we'll get off at once, and I'll race
the express faster than | ever did in an
overland trip. Are you all ready ?"
eyes. Start up"
The conductor waived his signal and Big
Mike let the engine give three whistles to
announce the beginning OF the race. Then
the heavy driving wheels revolved, slowly
at first, but thereafter with accelerated
motion.
The great train moved along the tracks
amid the wild applause of the multitude.
Some of the people ran down the tracks
after it, wishing the brave men God-speed.
In five minutes the train was under full
Roadway. The fireman had a strong fire
burning, and Mike kept crowding on the
steam. The wheels ratified and banged
along the track, and around the curves the
cars swayed and jolted as if they would
like to jump the rails.
They were going sixty miles an hour
when they first entered the region Of the
burning woods. At first they only caught
glmpses of clouds of smoke then they
saw cinders and sparks floating on the wind,
and finally masses of flame leaped up from
the trees on every eide.
The woods on either side OF the track
were ablaze, and the heat became sitting.
Sometimes the wind swept clouds of sparks
and flames across the track, binding and
terrifying the men. But the engineer and
fireman stood by their posts, and directed
the steel monster in its course.
They were rushing through clouds of
smoke which prevented them from seeing
the tracks ahead, but Big Mike never once
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