Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-07-26

ming to him with breathless: 'Holt
the express at Hawley!"
My orders were to let her come on,
he replied.
But hold her, hold her, for heav
ems sake! A derrick has fallen right
across the track"
Click, click" went the little in
strument under Roberts active fingers
Hold the express!"
''She started five minutes ago." came
instantly back.
There was no time to be lost. Robert
did not wait. He seized red lantern
and started up the road. lie must
meet the express as far away as pos.
sible, for in those days there were no
air-brakes, and it would take some dis.
lance for the train to slacken speed
| and come to halt, since it would, OF
course, be running at full speed.
The snow was still coming down in
binding sheets; it seemed as if 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
itoundering to such degree that il
seemed as if he made no progress at
all.
His lantern shed such a 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 soon, for.
with his senses painfully strained, he
was certain he felt the first faint Vi.
brations Of the on-coming wheels. 1t
was like a spur he did not need, for he
was already putting forth his utmost
strength.
Ii was indeed the vibration sent
along the hidden rails, for presently he
heard a distant, mufiied rumble as the
train crossed a bridge. Inches seemed
OF value in this crisis, and he plunged
forward as many more steps as he
dared before taking a stand TO make
his despairing signal.
Nearer came the train, flying along
at throbbing speed, and now almost
upon him, its painting breath echoing
from the deep sides of the rocky cut
at either hand. Then its great head
light CLEANED vaguely upon him like
pale moon.
Robert swung his lantern in a 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 a ditch
alongside, and from that scrambled to
the opposite bank, screaming and fling |
ing his arms wildly about as if his puny |
voice could be heard above all that |
roar.
No answer yet,
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 second there was a terrific shrek
of the whistle, and Robert could hear
the grinding Of the brakes. That he
was not too late that the train would
be saved, were his last thoughts as 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 Odds. the fireman.
Was it all dream? No, for the snow
still fell, and he was chilled and wet
and weary.
The express?" he gasped.
"She stopped with the tip of her
nose Just at the derrick" was answered, !
in the same questioning tone. g.
"Why-why didn't she whistler
asked Robert. fit TO cry from eXhaus-
ton. and still dazed and excited.
Sandy shook him a little and tried
again to get him on his feet.
"She did. But try to stand up, Rob
ert. We want to be getting home
As soon as Robert had staggered for
ward a few steps, the life seemed
10 return to his limbs. He refused to
be carried, but let a comrade assist him
40 either side.
You spoiled that cab window, Rob
,rt." said Sandy, land the engineers
rot black eve, too. You needn't say
lnything, but it's my private opinion
hat he was asleep
Il whirled my light till I saw they
weren't going to pay any attention to
:. and then l slung it at them" said
Robert
I'VE know you did. The engineer al
owed he saw tn. light and that when
le whistled 'down-brakes, the brake
hahn slapped and few up and hit him
N the cheek. But I laughed, because
found that red lantern Of yours
mashed all To flinders in the cab