The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-10-20
THE RELIEF TRAIN
By Geo. E. Walsh.

seemed congested with the labor OF
breathing the air.
At Branchyille long train OF ten
cars stood on the main track, while
crowts of curious and anxious people
gathered around it. 1t was called the
fire train," because it was ABOUT 10
start upon perilous journey, in grim
race with the fire fiend.
Early that noon telegram had been
received at Brancbville 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! Will be cut off before night"
AS if electrified, everybody tried to do
something for the poor families al
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 a relief train to their assistance.
1t so happened that the central ex-
press was being made up at Branchvllle,
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 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 wher
boy of about 16 approached the en-
CINE and said:
care 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
your"
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:
II may not be brave, but I'll keel
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 Il"
The tears entered the boys eyes ano
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 9
loud cough before he answered.
"Well, my lad, I'll bring her back to
you if anybody can" he said. "If we
can't get through. then We'll all perish
together"
but if bcould go, too" the boy begar
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 tt
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 II
race the express faster than ever die
in an overland trip. Are you all ready p
eyes. Start up!''
The conductor waved his signal, ant
Big Mike let the engine give three shril
whistles to announce the beginning O.
the race. Then the heavy driving
wheels revolved, slowly at first, bu
thereafter with accelerated motion.
They were going 60 miles an hou
when they first entered the region O
burning woods. At first they onl,
caught glimpses of clouds of smoke
then they saw cinders and sparks float
ing on the wind, and finally masses o
flames leaped up from the trees OF
every side.
The woods on either side of the tract
were ablaze, and the heat becam
sitting. Sometimes the wind sweep
clouds of sparks and flames across tn
track, binding and terrifying the men
But the engineer and fireman stood b,
their posts, and directed the steel mon
ster in its course.
They were rushing through clouds o
smoke, which prevented them from see
ing the tracks ahead, but Big Mix
navar opoo d;poboJ rT1, n 49, &c fn11.-
trees lay across the rails, but the tire
mendous power of the engine hurle,
them aside without once checking tn
terrible speed.
Every part of the ironwork of the en-
CINE was hot to the touch, and the al
was almost unbreathable. Both fire
man and engineer gasped for breath
and prayed for some relief. How mucl
further would they have to run to ge
beyond the fire area?
Big Mike tried to calculate the dis
lance, but there was no familiar land
scape object in view. He looked GU
across the fiery country, and wondere,
if he could stand the strain mucl
longer.
His attention was attracted inside
moment later by a groan, and he turne,
to see his fireman sink down on tn
floor in dead faint.
Now, I am in for it," Mike muttered
4 can't keep the fire going, too"
In this quandary he tried to pull tn
rope connecting with the train, bn
found that the fire had burned it t
pieces. He shouted aloud to the con
ductor, but he knew that above the roa
aud blast of the fire his voice could no
be heard
But something happened that sur
Ask your nATARnE