Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1901-08-07


:. s,lly-shally over the doing OF II
much longer. we shall die like rats In |
hols as the guard says"
.Theu we'd better tear these OBJ
climate fools on the engine and man It
ourselves" suggested frantic pas
ssnger we can rush IL through
somehow"
"Not SOL" was the calm answer.
4onr only chance in rushing the dan
ysr is the speed. Now. II and you. all
amateurs, man the engine and bnngle
~ thing, the chance is we should
mast before we got quite through the
flames,
sNow ladies and gentlemen"
mrned courteously 10 the passengers
sursing round II must ask you 10
,rls, your bodies To me. and your souls
well, according TO your several
eresds'"
with a strangely harsh empty laugh.
The stranger assembled the engine.
turning his dark face 10 say peremp
torily; Take your places aboard the
q t.aln Instantly. every man. woman and
child
Now, my friends. IN tackle you,
Ne faced round 70 the engine men.
So near was the train to the hrs
that the heat was insntierable-the
faces o. the men were almost skinned.
q Warm sork. my hearties. this"
The stranger said. almost chesrfuily. as
be beat the no, air slowly with way
lsF hands. and pressed his face closer
70 lie scoFehsd yisages on the engine.
b You get OFF this engine, mister"
81 larlously began the driver I'm brain
Il aay man who tries 10 boss
The Rrathfni words ended In a sud
u den sigh, and the drivers arms fell
sos,ly a, his sides as the invader OF the
a eag.as turned 10 the sloker, power
3 iully built man.
II you heard what my mate said.
81 didnt yer struck in the man. You
q, Of. or I'il-t'Il-----' There was
Il the same singular collapse. the same
lamb,llae attitude. Both grimy men
81 stood motOnlrss and meek facing tho
!a,Taasy
Just 20. observed the last equally.
81 Then leaning over. his strident voice
GLANCED hashly along the snow shed;
Every soul aboasdg Keep all win
doSs AHd doors fast for your lives
What Is Il. GcrYisg Are We safe
v yeiF' family whispered GLADLY The
ET,, who had only secmed 10 shake
Of her curious attack ot insensibiliiy
Si,h!U the last few minutes. was star.
Al ins vaguely round the car.
81 She wondered ids why most % the
# r0mcn Rcr" on their knees. and why
the little children were eiaspcd q
~ iSauNellly to their mothprA Surely
GA ihs tiny creatures would be smothereS
ia such embraces
# And why was Gervts. her husband
breathing In that curiousiy laboTe'
fashion. as II he had been running
hard.
Then she became aware. az he lai'
his checks against her own. that hi
FAC" was wet and cold, clammy per
splratiun.
"G"ryls'" she cried. vague alarm
awakening her al last. speak 10 me-
Can't you pray. GLADLY ?" whispcre
GerTts aud the clasp Of his arms tight
ehri round his wife.
Pray. Gervis9 What do you mean?
Tonh"ringly said GLADLY. And Geryi
droF hia hrows together.
VI Aud yet was Il no, better that sh
should know, poor little GLADLY in he
s nesIl welded happiness7
Il Outside the cars, now tightly close,
The men on the engine. who were goiu
10 bEht the flames doggedly wei
srimiy and rapidly making ready.
Tho heat had become Iutolerabl
Y and rcdy glowing sparks were showe
81. Ing down the blazing roof The per
was already 80 deadly that there vi
no choice. A dash for dear life mu
be madel
suddenly n great tongue OF fan
darted along the roof with hissir
sound. The haggard. white faces
the cars could distinguish every tin
r. Der in the sheds wooden walls in Il
new glare. The FIRE was gaining wi
deadly surcness
Quick. menl We are taking o.
ives In our hands. Here, reach u
that bale OF waterprooiing We mu
divide II between us TO cover as mu'
OF our persons as we cant"
II was a sharp, vibrating voice. wi
q note OF command, that hastily q
dered.
Then came the hoarse order
which the cowed enginemen we
meckly waiting.
Ready? Then gol Top speed"
The long train, with It's large ca
creaked and groaned: the tongues
name darted upward hissingly; {
burning rafters cracked and snappe
the smoke rolled along in heavy clou
mat choked all who rode on the
fated train.
on"
me train was cutting Its W
through the sheet OF fame that b
walled 1t in.