Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1901-02-01


"Ars you mad?" was the icy -
joinder. Better reverse the engines
and back the train to the end we came
IN at. But see. here cones the guard
back again. Well?"
TITS anything but we'll guess"
growled the guard, glancing uneasily
at tho women folk. Lowering his
voice, he went on to the I,ale passen-
gers: "The plain truth is, we're in q
death trap. God help us ALL" Then
he hesitated.
Man, speak out. What Is ~"
1--WE bin way back a goodish bit.
and found worse thing behind us al
most than this!" He pointed to the
wall of fame. Gentlemen, there's bin
terrible snow slide happened on our
heels. 1t has smashed through into
the shed and blocked the line from
floor to roof. Never saw such a. big
snow slide in the Rockies, not even In
the springtime O year.
"'Twas the warmish spell we had
lately has loosened the snow ON the
mountain-side, and now it's come down
all in a heap-tons Of it! Besides
frozen cargoes Of snow, there's hull
trees torn up by the roots and boulders
all blocking up the shed. We're choked
in behind, and you can see for your
self what's afore us. We're bound to
die like rats in hole"
As the last words were added, break
ing in an irrepressibic cry from tho
mans white lips, the huddled groups
Of terrified passengers shrieked and
shouted in unison; for, gazing up.
their starting eyes discovered that tho
fire was spreading in the rosf toward
them. 49,.
I'VE must be very near the outlet
of this snow shed!" quickly calculated
the stranger who had assisted Ger
Wis.
"Why?" hoarsely screamed the pas
sengers. Somehow they turned In
stinctively to this man, as human be-
ings will to any true leader.
In that case, it would be worth
while to rush it," said Gervis. He had
raised GLADLY from the ground. and
stood holding her close to him. care
fully hiding her eyes with his left
hand.
"We1l, then. let us rush it together
in the train, and God in His mercy
help us through" came the suggestion
from a passenger. i.
And suppose we are burnt up like
chips!" gloomily said another.
And, truly, the long, fierce tongues
of fire were gaining along the roof.
Strong men shuddered, while all tho
women were now covering their eyes.
and some were praying wildly. Here
and there child, with frightened sobs,
hid it's little face in it's mothers skirts.
1t was, in truth, terrible death trap.
together, were paralyzed. Those Of
them for whom their Father in heaven
was an ever-preSent reality cried out
from their hearts for His merciful
help; others We're mute.
"'God is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble; there
fore we shall not fear" The clear
voice Of woman that began bravely
ended abruptly in a smothered sob.
The flesh was weaker than the spirit.
and pair of dark eyes criticised.
with sheer in their black depths, tho
speaker as she covered down on her
knees.
1T would be as we'll not waste the
minutes in talk" said the owner of the
eyes. cts time for action now II We
are to save our lives"
With a swift glance at Gladys
shrinking figure lying in herhusband's
arms. he strobe forward to the front,
Gathered round the engine was group
of excited passengers, arguing. order
ing and pleading with the bewildered
stokers, who stubbornly refused to risk
all and rush the fire.
ITO be cOntinued,l