Evening journal., 1899-06-15
THE RELIEF TRAIN
By Geo. E. walsh.


tres had swept through the pathless
tracks Of the woods until The lungs
seemed congested with the labor OF
breathing the air.
Al Branchville long train OF ten
cars stood on the main track, while
crowds of curious and anxious people
gathered around IL. II was called the
fire train," because IL was about TO
start upon perilous journey, in grim
race with the fire fiend.
Early that noon a telegram had been
received at llranchville from Stony
Brook. which had startled every inhab-
liant Of the former town. The message
said in brief
Fire surrounding usl Send help at
once! will be cut of before night"
As IL 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 inn
pending disaster was 80 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 Branchville,
and Big Mike, the engineer. determined
10 make the run in the interests OF hu-
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
puffed 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?"
Ell take it or nobody" Mike re-
sponded. noting the boys pale face.
Then. sir. will you let me go with
you?"
"Whatl Take a boy along on such q
dangerous run? 80. my son, we only
want men-and brave men,"
The boys face dropped. and he added
in a less hopeful but more pleading
voice:
II may not be brave. but I'll keel
quiet. and won't get in the way"
( Cant do it, my boy. can't doit; tel
r you we may never come back alive
< But my poor mother, she'll"
! The tears entered the boys eyes snt
/, be turned his head away TO hide them.
e 'Where is your mother?" the engI
neer asked.
"Over ihtre-at Stony Brook"
Big Mike cleared his throat with
loud cough before he answered.
well. my lad. III bring her back 4
you If anybody can" he said. II "
can't get through, then we'll all peris
= together"
"But i'll couldgo, too" the boy bega
again.
YOU'D only be another one to perisf
=, No. no, my lad, you wait here. and Bi
: Mike will do all he can for your mothe
aud all the rest Of the people
just then the conductor came ruf
. ming along the platform. and lhc ei
;, gineer climbed down from the engine
= learn the news.
y Another telegram from sion
=, Brook" tie conductor said, excited.
''and it says the fire is almost upon tl
place. and in five hours all will be over
y - Then we'A get off at once. and /
~ race the express faster than ever d
= in an overland trip. Are you all ready
- AYES. Start upl"
The conductor waved his signal. an
Big Mike let the engine give three shri
whistles TO announce the beginning {
the race. Then the heavy driyin
wheels revolyed. slowly at first. bi
thereafter with accelerated motion.
They were going 60 miles an bol
when they first entered the region {
: burning woods. AT first they onl
caught glimpses of clouds of smoke
= then they saw cinders and sparks iioa
i ing on the wind. and finally masses
a flames leaped up from the trees
every side.
The woods on either side Of the trae
4. we're ablaze. and the heat becau
. sitting. Sometimes the wind swei
y clouds OF sparks and flames across Il
= track. binding and terrifying the me
But the engineer and fireman stood
-. their posts. and directed the steel mo
- nter in its course.
,s They were rushing through clouds
10 smoke. which prevented them from Sc
= ing the tracks ahead. bui Big Nil
NJ never once flinched. The tops of fall
trees lay across the rails, but the II
a. mendous power of the engine hurl
~ them aside without once checking 4
terrible speed.
v. Every part OF the ironwork Of the e
n gine was hot 10 the touch. and the
IN was almost unbreathable. Both iiI
he man and engineer gasped for breal
ne and prayed for some relief. How mu
further would they have TO run to g
es beyond the fire area2
ID Big Mike tried TO calculate the d
ST tance. but there was 10 familiar Ian
scape object in view. He looked o
ii. across the fiery country, and wonder
of if he could stand the strain mu
longer
is His attention was attracted inside
y. moment later by groan. and be turn
10 see his fireman sink down on
floor in a dead faint