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

he moved the lever. Breathiess he waited.
Would she slacken, would she stop? Had
he put on the brake? Was she travelling
now of her own impetus, Or
A hundred yards ahead the Junction
driver was anxiously watching his steam
guage. He felt for moment a little more
reassured. He was holding his own, and
keeping daylight between his coaches and
the express engine behind. The only thing
that troubled him was how long they could
run. He had not too much water on the
engine, and could not pick up any for
many miles. If he could manage TO run on
safely until they came TO the section of
the line where fresh water could be picked
up from the troughs laid between the rails.
they would be all right. II they could not
get as far what would happen? He puck
cred HIS shaggy brows and looked back.
What he saw did not lessen his anxiety.
why dash il, mate he roared to his
companion. IF that express engine ain t
catching us up
His fireman turned his head. The ex-
press was creeping nearer and nearer 10
them every instant. Ben. the guard, had
moved the lever the wrong way and had
1t.
Can we send our old gal on any fast
err" said the fireman.
I'm not going TO try" said the driver.
you'll let her smash US up?"
''No! I'm going TO let her push US
along"
The driver of the Junction, recognizing
the futility of trying to escape from the
more powerful engine drawing the express.
had resolved 10 bring matters to a climax.
He calculated that at the rate he was
going the impact would not be too great.
Once the express touched the rear coach
of his train he would slowly shut off steam
and then with the slight incline he knew
| to be in front of them he reckoned the
double weight would the sooner bring the
runaway engine to standstill
Little by little the two trains ran nearer
to each other. The incline had begun.
When they were halfway up the watchful
driver called out Hold onv' to his mate.
| conclusion was felt the two trains ran
on as one until they reached the level again
| and then the driver shut off steam with a
| triumphant air. Now then" he cried,
lets see how far she's going to shove US
along,''
They went but little more than two hun
dred yards. Ben, the guard, realizing that
he had increased the speed when the impact
| took place, had reversed his action and
shut off steam, and the engine, saddled
with the weight of the coaches behind and
| the weight of the train in front, speedily
| came to a stop.
crowd of curious passengers stood
| round the engine while the guard was
| explaining matters to the junction driver.
Reverently the bodies of the unfortunate
| in the van. The two trains were coupled UP
and the junction driver resumed his place
on his own engine. The travellers, relieved
| of their fears, resumed their seats and fell
I to discussing their marvellous adventure
and escape.
out from the junction engine, as the guard
| called out "All right" and the trains began
to move. there might have been seen, had
not every eye and tongue been occupied,
| the figure of the most respectable-looking
elderly gentleman, with iron-grey hair,
walking along the railroad track in an op-
posite direction.
| While all the rest had left their seats
to learn what had happened. he alone had
| remained in the first-class carriage he had
| occupied. He alone, when the trains started
back on their return journey, went on
| ahead and vanished into the night