St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1900-06-16

u1U not Wall. h6 SelZeO TGU lantcfk
and started up the road. He mus,
meet the express Is far away as pos
sible, for in those days there were nc
air-brakes, and it would take some dis
tance for the train to slacken speed
and come to a halt, since it would, o1
course. be running at full speed.
The snow was still coming down in
binding sheets; it seemed rs il the
storms fury had Increased, if that were
possible.
Not line of rail was visible, but only
the softly-heaped ridges where the
wheels of the last train had outlined
the track.
Robert set out with frantic energy
blowing his way through the damp
masses, struggling over the uneven
surfaces of the ties, and slipping and
fioundering to such degree that il
seemed as if he made NO progress al
all.
His lantern shed such = faint CLEAN
that he was afraid, no matter what his
effort, the engineer would not be able
to see it-a mere spark through the
whirling snow that enveloped it.
He had started none too soons for
with his senses painfully strained, hs
was certain he felt the first faint vi
brations of the on-coming wheels. II
was like a spur he did not need, for hs
was already putting forth his utmost
strength.
1t was indeed the vibration seA'
along the hidden rails, for presently hi
heard distant, mufled rumble as thu
train crossed bridge. Inches seemed
Of value in this crisis, and he plunged
forward as many more steps as hs
dared before taking a stand to MAKE
his despairing signal
As the sounds approached and Be
came distinctly audible, he planted
himself firmly between the rails and
waited for the first break of the head
light through the white storm to swins
his red warning.
Nearer came the train, flying along
at throbbing speed, and now almos,
upon him, its painting breath echoint
from the deep sides of the rocky cut
at either hand. Then its great head
light cleaned vaguely upon him like Z
pale moon.
Robert swung his lantern in . wide
slow circle at first, and then faster and
faster, as the engines glowing eye be
came more and more distinct.
There was no answering whistle
They did not see it.
He leaped over the rail into . ditch
alongside, and from that scrambled tc
the opposite bank, screaming and fling
ing his arms wildly about ~ il his puny
voice could be heard above all that
roar.
No answer yet. Hs
The full rays of the headlight were
on him, and the engine nearly abreast,
when with a final vehement swing he
let go the handle of his lantern and
hurled it headlong into the window OF
the engineers cab. As he did SO he
sank helpless upon the ground.
In a second there was a terrific shrek
the grinding of the brakes. That he
was not too late, that the train would
be saved, were his last thoughts rs he
became unconscious.
Presently he became aware of NOV.
ing lights about him, of voices and OF
somebody trying to lift him up and
stand him on his feet.
"Wake up, Robert! What's the mat
ter? Where's your lantern?" said .
kindly voice.
1t was Sandy Olds, the fireman. Fl
Was it ALA dream? No. for the snow
still fell, and he was chilled and wet
and weary.
THE express?" he gasped.
aShe stopped with the tip Of her
nose just at the derrick" was answered.
in the same questioning tone.
"Why-why didn't she whistler"
asked Robert 6t 70 sFy sfrsn exl laus.
ton, and stindazed ana excited.
Sandy shook him aslittlo and tried
again to get him on his feet.
ss'She did, But try TO stand up. Rob
ert. We want to be getting home"
Robert tried and partially succeeded.
That's right, Brace up, and we'll
carry you back to the train. You're
clean tuckered out. Wen tell you al
about it when you're thawed out"
As soon as Robert had staggered for
ward few steps, the life seemed
to return to his limbs. He refused to
be carried. but let a oomrade assist him
at either side.
"You spoiled that cab window, Rob
ert,s sand Sandy. s"aid thk engineers
got a black eye. too. You needn't say
anything. but it's my private opinion
that he was asleep" r.
Il whirled my light till saw they
weren't going to pay. any attention to
it, and then slung - ut them," said
Robert.
I'VE know you did. The engineer al
lowed he saw. the light, and that when
he whistled 'down-brakes, the brake
chain snapped and few up and hit him
on the cheek. But laughed, because
I found that red lantern of yours
smashed. all to flinders in the cab"
Robeft had never appreciated before
how comfortable warmth and kindness
were, for both awaittd him when they
reached their own cabo0se.
The train-men made bunk for him
until the express had got on its way,
where they made him lie andrest.
They looked after his clicker for
him, got it aboard, and when they
reached the home station helped him
to his mothers door. r@tt
Roberts friend. Sandy Olds. had sus-
pected the truth. The engineer of the
express afterward confessed that, feel
ing half sick that night, and chilled
WITH the storm, he had taken = drink to
liven him up little, and the result had
been the drowsiness that had nearly
coet him not Only his own life, but the
lives of al aboard his train.
When that red lantern came crash
ing through the glass into his face, he
had almost automatically pulled the
whistle for the down brakes, which
had brought them to = timely halts-
Coldem Dayg,