The suburban citizen., 1901-10-12

next minute the engine, which semed
to have leaped the intervening space
shot by them like a fash. ] only
caught a brief glance of their aston
ished faces as they hurried back from
the track, then they faded from view
fer behind
So bewildered and stupefied was 1
by the perls OF the situation in which
l found myself that it was several mo-
ments before l recovered my presence
Of mind sufficiently to realize the ne
cessity Of some immediate action.
l glanced hurrledly about me, my
eyes falling on the polished levers, use
less without steam. Then l caught
sight of the brake on the tender, and,
leaping forward, grasped the lever
and gave It n vigorous turn, There
was sharp, kissing sound as the iron
brakes came in contact with the swift
ly rolling wheels, and sparks of fire
shot from each side Of the tender, but
there was no visible slackening Of the
speed of the engine. Using all the
force l could command / set the
brakes, and then stood helplessly there
in the tender while 1 was swiftly
whirled down the mountain road.
Full four miles ahead l could now
see the city OF Trinidad. 1 knew that
it would be impossible for me to stop
the engine before I reached that place,
but l still hoped to check its speed
sufficiently to keep it from flying the
track.
This was my only hope. I could see
long lines Of cars on the side tracks
and a number OF engines switching
about the yards near the station, and
l shudderod as ] thought of what
would happen should the main track
not be clear when l reached the place.
Only few seconds now and | would
be at Trinidad AS one in a dream
again set the brakes a notch tigh-F,
and then, grasping the bell cord, l rang
the bell furlously The engine seemed
to be fairly lifted from the track as it
swept round a curve and went thun-
dering on its way. I cast a fleeting
glance at the station close ahead. I
only saw a confused mass of buildings
and cars; then l dashed by like a me-
teor. Then, as gained a level stretch
Of track the engine began to slacl1en
its speed and presently came to a
standstill nearly mile below the sta
ton.
was savedl A mist gathered before
my eyes, and l sank down unconscious
in the bottom of the cab.
When l regalned my senses found
quite a crowd Of people collected
about me, among whom was the con-
ductor, who had returned with his
train for the missing engine. When
he asked me how l had come to be on
the engine 1 told him that 1 was in
tending to ride to Los Vegas, but did
not mention the part the brakeman
had played in the matter.
To my surprise he did not seem dis
pleased at me for my attempt to steal
a ride, but complimented me on my
nerve in staying with the engine at
the risk of my life, and putting on the
brake as I did. had saved the COM
pany the loss of several thousand dol
lars, he explained, for which he him
sell might have been blamed.
"You give me more credit than
deserve" 1 replied. And then eX-
planned how 1 had been shut up in
the fire-box till it was too late to leave
the engine.
He cast a surprised glance at me,
and then said;
well, you certainly possess frank
ness and truthfulness, which is, after
all, more to your credit than the per-
formance Of a brave deed would have
been Come with me to Los Vegas and
I'll see what can do for you"
He took me with him to Los Vegas,
where he obtained for me work as o
brakeman, and six months ago 1 was
promoted to the position now hold
Waverley Magazine.