River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-02-02
THE RELIEF TRAIN
By Geo. E. Walsh.

| 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
fire train" because il was about TO
start upon perilous journey, in grim
race with the fire fiend.
Early that room a telegram had been
received at Branchville from Stony
Brook, which had startled every inhab-
liant of the former town. The message
said in brief:
Fire surrounding us! Send help at
once! VIII 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 inn
pending disaster was so miles away,
and nothing could be done except to
send relief train to their assistance.
1t so happened that the central ex
press was being made up at Branchyille,
and Big Mike, the engineer, determined
to make the run in the interests of hui
mainly. The conductor of the train
! telegraphed to headquarters for per-
mission, and then had the track cleared
between Branchville and Stony Brook.
| Fully 1000 people were assembled al
the depot TO see the train start upon its
mission of mercy Big Mike felt the
full Importance of his position, and he
pulled and bowed about like a sea
lion in his element.
/ He was talking with his fireman when
boy of about 16 approached the en-
| CINE and said:
Are you the engineer who takes out
this fire train?"
I'll take it or nobody" Mike re-
sponded, noting the boys pale face.
Then, sir, will you let me go with
you?"
What! Take a 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 a less hopeful but more pleading
/ voice:
Il may not be brave, but I'll keep
/ quiet, and won't get in the way"
Cant do it, my boy, can't 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 engi-
neer asked.
over there-at Stony Brook"
Big Mike cleared his throat with a
loud cough before he answered.
"Well, my lad, I'll bring her back to
you if anybody cam" he said. IF we
cant get through, then Wen all perish
together"
But if could go, too" the boy began
again.
You'd 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 run
ming along the platform, and the en-
/ gineer climbed down from the engine to
/ learn the news.
Another telegram from Stony
Brook" the conductor said, excitedly,
land 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?"
Yes. Start up!"
The conductor waved his signal, and
Big Mike let the engine give three shrill
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 Godspeed.
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 60 miles an hour
when they first entered the region of
/ burning woods. At first they only
caught glimpses of clouds of smoke;
then they saw cinders and sparks float
ing on the wind, and finally masses of
flames leaped up from the trees on
every side.
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 mon
ster in its course.
They were rushing through clouds of
smoke, which prevented them from see
ing the tracks ahead, but Big Mike
never once ftinched. The tops of fallen
trees lay across the rails, but the ire
mendous power of the engine hurled
them aside without once checking the
terrible speed.
Every part of the ironwork of the en-
CINE was hot to the touch, and the air
was almost unbreathable. Both fire
man and engineer gasped for breath,
and prayed for some relief How much
further would they have to run to get
beyond the fire area2
Big Mike tried to calculate the dis
lance, but there was no familiar land
scape object in view. He looked out
across the fiery country, and wondered
if he could stand the strain much
longer.
His attention was attracted inside
moment later by groan, and he turned
TO see his fireman sink down on the
floor in dead faint.
Nov, am in for it, Mike muttered.
II cant keep the fire going, too"
In this quandary he tried to pull the
rope connecting with the train. but
found that the fire had burned it to
pieces. He shouted aloud to the con
ductor, but he knew that above the roar
and blast of the fire his voice could not
lie heard.
But something happened that SUR
prised him more than If the conductor
had appeared. The iron cover of the
water tank suddenly moved. and then
deliberately stood upon end, while a
face appeared out Of the hole.
IT was the pale face Of boy. and. as
Mike stared. be recognized the features
Of the lad who had pleaded so hard TO
go to Stony Brook with him.
How did you get in there2" the en-
queer gasped.
II crawled IN when you went 70 meet
~.