Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1902-05-02

FLASH OF LIGHTNING SHOWED THE TRES
TILE HANGING IN MDAIR.
faultless. Her headlight shone with
dazzling brllliancy, she was polished
from pilot to tender, and the high light
on her great boiler shone In the electric
light which flashed before the dis
FATHERS office.
The new engineer climbed aboard,
and when the fireman came back from
the office he was standing In the cab
silently looking her over. He reached
for the throttle and pInched 1t gently.
Not for the world would he abuse this
steed.
In mute obedience the racer started
forward noiselessly, for her exhaust
was mufiied, and she was not being
forced. Slowly she gllded over the
switches until the station shed was
reached. Then, dropping into the main
line. she crept ahead to the edge OF the
depot and waited for her burden.
At 7:45 the yardmaster climbed
aboard and introduced the enginemen,
who up to this time had scarcely
spoken a word. John" he said, ad-
dressing the fireman, this Ii VIII
Donohue. You two have a nasty run
before you. No. 8 il twenty minutes
late because Of rains over toward Chi
cago. Think you can make 1t up?"
He was looking at Donohue, who
nodded CURLY. Il don't know any
thing about her capacity, but she re
amanda nttIrklU mud thlU
III test her tonight"
The yardmaster looked serious.
Don't be too daring. This locom0-
tive has one bad fault. She can't stop
quickly. She needs plenty OF room.
See that she has IT," And he jumped
from the locomotive,
At 1923 the Limited slid, dripping,
into the depot. Her engine. worn out.
ratified of to the roundhouse, and No.
$50 gllded down the track and gently
made the couplings. No. was com
posed OF seven cars, Ave vestlbuled
PullmaDs and two heavily lOaded mall
cars. The superintendent. who had
come over the Illinois division with
her, hurried forward.
"The storms following you, with a
gale blowing from the east. II you run
fast, you may keep ahead Of II till the
times made up"
He ran back to the train and climbed
aboard as Donohue slid his window
shut and opened the throttle.
The stars we're fading, the sky was
clouded, and brisk wind started up,
advance guards of the storm. In II mo.
ment they were clear Of the yards, aud
the great engine buckled down to her
work. Every second the speed went up.
1t was fifty miles an hour, fifty-twO, NJ.
ty-four. Another touch on the throttle,
and she was wide open. The engineer
put the reverse next to the center and
dropped n few hodfuls Of sand. lie
played with her, humorcd her, urged
her on, and as the speed Increased he
sat down to watch her and the rails
ahead.
He wondered whether, II the super.
intendent had his head out of the car
window, he would now think the wind
came from the east. lie would wager
anything that they were not twenty.
three minutes late now.
A star suddenly hove In sight on the
horizon. II twinkled and grew stead.
ly larger. IL was followed by a trail
Of weaker light. A meteorf Nearer
and nearer II tore along the eastbound
tracks. For a brief moment II shone,
dazzling, on $50. then shot past. WIN
Donohuo caught a glimpse OF a figure
In tho cab, the faint CLEAN OF the
Pintsch burners in tho sleepers, the
sharper lights on the rear end. II was
ahe eastbound hier. They were sched
uled TO pass at Woodvale, I'VE mile,
ahead. The Limited was Ave minute,
late. She would be on time in a short
while.
But the sky was black with threat
ening clouds. Even then, as the en-
gineer thrust his hand out In the night
he felt the big raindrops that presag,
a heavy storm. He must watch sharI
now, for in a moment the tracks would
be soaked and the wheels would bt
slipping.
As the train swept round a curve
leaning heavily TO the left, a streak Of
a