The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1899-01-27
THE RELIEF TRAIN
BY Geo. E. Walsh.
TT WAS hot. sitting August day, and

IT WAS hot. stlfilng August day, and
the atmosphere of the great Wiscon-
sin forests was thick and heavy with
dust and smoke. For weeks raging
fires had swept through the pathless
tracks of the woods until the lungs
seemed congested with the labor of
breathing the air.
At Branchvlle a 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 it was about TO
start upon perilous journey, in grim
race with the fire fiend.
Early that noon telegram had been
received at Branchyille from Stony
Brook, which had startled every inhab-
itant 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, every body tried to do
something for the poor families at
Stony Brook, threatened with such an
awful death; but the scene of the i'm
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 al Branchville,
and Big Mike, the engineer, determined
10 make the run in the interests of hui
manity. 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 at
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 blowed about like a sea
lion in his element.
He was talking with his fireman when
boy of about 16 approached the en-
gine and said:
Are you the engineer who takes out
this fire train?"
III take it or nobody" Mike re
kponded, noting the boys pale face.
Then, sir, will you let me go with
you?"
What! Take boy along on such a
dangerous run? No, my son, we only
want Hen-and brave men,.
The boys face dropped, and he added
In less hopeful but more pleading
voice:
may not be brave, but III 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"
Inc tears entered the boys eyes and
ne turned his head away to hide them.
Where is your mother?" the engi-
neer asked
over there-at Stony Brook"
big Nike cleared his throat with a
'oud cough before he answered.
Well, my lad, I'll bring her back TO
you II anybody can," he said IF we
van get through, then we'll all perish
together"
again.
You'd only be another one to perish.
No, .,', no. my lad, you wait here, and Big
n'he VIII do all he can for your mother
anu al the rest of the people"
Just then the conductor came run
mug along the platform, and the en-
e'neer climbed down from the engine to
learn the news.
D Another telegram from Stony
alook' the conductor said, excitedly,
anu IL says the fire is almost upon the
P'aee' and in five hours all will be over"
men we'll get off at once, and I'll
iace 'he express faster than ever did
..w Az overland trip. Are you all ready ?"
les Start up!"
~ We conductor waved his signal, and
e ,nf nike let the engine give three shrill
~ s'les TO announce the beginning of
~ ace Then the heavy driving
s fevolved, slowly at first. but
~, CATER with accelerated motion.
,.o great train moved along the
,r,s As amid the wild applause of the
dow uae' Some of the people ran
HI Inc tracks after it, wishing the
AVE men Godspeed.
e.. in hVe minutes the train was under
-l headway. The fireman had a
ug hre burning, and Mike kent
ra,,,eng on the steam. The wheels
''eu and banged along the track and
1oI,aa 'ne curves the cars swayed and
fails. "ouiu IKE 10 Jump the
iney We're going 60 miles an hour
~ they first entered the region of
canat.s nus woods. AT first they only
th.sn, glimpses of clouds of smoke;
mo sHty saw cinders and sparks float
" Inc wind, and finally masses of