The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-16

theficaliy and eagerly on the edge of the
platform 20 look.
I'm afraid Parsons is done for said one
of the porters. as they lifted him from the
rails. Run for doctor. quick. somebody.
while we take him inside"
What do you make OF II, Johnson" said
the stationmaster. eagerly. as he reached
the signal box Ibid you see anything as
they passed.
There's been an accident OF some sort, "
| responded the man. Il wondered why
they were coming in against the signal.
and looked as they passed.
"Yes-yes?''
And / noticed one body lying on the
footplate-I don't know which-and the
other. either the driver or the fireman.
was leaning up against the lever
"Alive?"
II couldn't say. There wasn't light
enough to see, SIR
1.-THE engine is evidently not under con-
troll. The men must be unconscious.
There's been an escape or explosion-of
steam probably. / must wire the news in
stantly."
In a few seconds he was at the telegraph,
reporting in both directions the strange in
formation that the p from Euston had
run through against signals IL was thought
that the driver and fireman were uncon-
scious and helpless or dead. The message
sent in pursuit of the runaway express was
briefly written, as follows: Express just
dashed through, apparently not under con-
troll. Clear up line and forward news.
Block the 9:05 Junction train Then he
hurried to the porter's room to know the
extent of the porter's injuries.
Pale, death-like, the porter lay, his head
supported by the jackets of his colleagues,
which they had rolled up into a pillow.
The doctor, hastily summoned had made
a superficial examination and performed a
rough-and-ready operation, and was now
bending down beside his patient and fore
ing some brandy between his teeth.
"Ah. doctor, how is the poor chap" ex-
claimed the kindly-hearted stationmaster,
leaning anxiousy forward.
"Oh. he'll do" answered the doctor.
cheerily. "A bad cut on the head and a
tremendous shock, but couple of weeks at
home will put him all right"
| Some twenty miles on, at the station to
| which the stationmaster had flashed his
warning message. a group Of excited men
| stood looking anxiousy along the line. A
light engine. which was hastily getting up
steam, stood on the down line.
For Gods sake, hurry up, Grant, there S
not one second 70 be lost! nervously ex-
| claimed pale, nervous little man to the
engine driver who had been hastily sum-
| moned, and who now swung himself on to
| his engine with professional alertness.
| 1.-The facts of the case are all summed up
| in that message" He hastily thrust slip
| Of paper on which the telegraph clerk had
| scrubbed the startling message he had re-
| ceived a few minutes since into the driver S
| hand The driver read the message and
! handed il back with blank face and gave
low whistle. Then his face took keen,
| thoughtful expression. and he seemed to be
making rapid mental calculation.
What do you think of it?'
II think as it's the FUNNIEST go as 1 ever
heard Of was the response.
my idea is TO send this light engine back
as far as the Junction
ION which liner the driver asked
| quickly.
ION the line you're on, replied the sta
the other, you might meet the Junction
| train"
"Or more likely meet the expressr' quick
| ly answered the driver.
| Then he turned quickly, struck by a
| sudden thought. But why not stop the
Junction train by ringing up the Battle
| Ridge station?"
1.-The train has left there" was the an
| swer
well, she hasn't passed the Junction
signal box
1--WE tried to ring Bolton up there, but
| there's no answer"
What do you make of that?"
THAT the lightning has struck or de-
| stroyed the connection. Quick, what dc
you suggest? The express would in the
ordinary way take twenty-six minutes
| from - TO here. We got the message
eight minutes ago. Allow ten minutes. say
| between the time the express passed
through and the time the message was
wired
"That makes eighteen"
| Eight minutes to spare"
| -Four and a half from here to the juno
| ton reduces it to three minutes and half
| Three minutes and half's grace
"That's enough and to spare, isn't it?'
| IF we could be sure the express was
| going at her usual rate, yes; but suppose
Suppose what?'
Suppose, not being under control, she's
| going faster than usuali"
| Then -"
"Then there may not be even half a min
| ute to spare. Stand clear"
The anxious bystanders fell back. The
/ drivers hand touched the lever and the
| engine started off into the rapidly gather
| ing darkness on it's errand of warning.
| Better have the lantern ready, Joe.
said the driver to his fireman. "As soon as
we get to the Junction you'll have to cut
| like mad across the line to the Junction
| box / suppose nothing's gone wrong there
| This here storm seems to have played th5
| deuce with things. 1 hope the missis u
keep my steak and onions hot"
Faster and faster he urged the engine
| on its way, leaning over the side with MS
| eyes keenly fixed on the distance.
Whats up with the express do yor
| think?" asked the fireman. Armstrong
amt cove given to liftin' his elbow, is
/ hep
There amt a harder-headed, pluckiel
| rhop On fhe cvstem. huf to-day'S hear