Waterbury Democrat., 1902-11-29
A DOCTORS RIDE FOR LIFE
Roads Blocked With Snow He Took Railroad Track and Had Th
 ling Race With Train.

get back over the culvert and to a place where we could leave the track 1t would be upon us. Our only chance is to go ahead. Forward!''
 Frank cleared the-cutting at a few where straight but perilous road lay before him.
 Steady, boy!" urged the doctor, with glance behind "Fast as you can, but sure-footed for your life and mine. A slip or stumble now will end lus We must have half a mile to go before we can leave the track. But you're good for it, boy! You're good for it!"
 The horse seemed fully to under stand the situation. He galloped on at his utmost speed, and yet was alive to every tone and motion of his rider. He gathered up his feet and set them down with the agility and precision of cat
 There was need of the very best that man and horse could do. The narrow, icy track, down which they were speeding so desperately, ran high along the face of the steep, rocky side
 
 nearly perpendicular wall of rock; on the other sheer precipice dropped into the foaming current of Mountain river
 They had, in reality, got long start in the race, but it seemed to Dr. Gra- ham that they had done almost noth- ing when the pursuing train swept through the cutting and into the ra- vine behind with shrieIz and clang. He could feel the horse shrink be- meath him at the sound.
 "Bravely, Frank, brave1y and fast!" he said, bending far forward to speak encouragement.
 The splendid horse fairly flew down the grade. But the train thundered nearer and nearer each moment. To the desperate rider it seemed almost upon them. He fought resolutely against an overmastering desire 10 look back. He knew well the risk of taking his attention from his horse even for an instant.
 But a point was reached when he could stand the terrible uncertainty of it no longer, and he cast quick glance over his shoulder, almost ex- pecting to be dazzled by the glare of the headlight at his very heels. To his astonishment he saw only great dark object sweeping down the track, still @ considerable distance behind.
 What the absence of headlight might indicate he could not guess, and there was not time to think about 1t, for just then came the recollection of the second culvert scarcely hundred yards ahead. The remembrance of this terrifying obstacle brought with it more than mere selfish fear-he had swift vision of his mothers anguish should the assurance of mo danger" which he had given her, fail.
 A little. beyond the culyert lay the possibility of safety; at it death awaited failure. Its gridiron surface stood out clearly in the moonlight. Franks pace was tremendous as he galloped down upon it. Could he- would he rise at the right moment? Dr. Graham almost stood in his stir- rups, with body bent far forward.
 Franks nose was near the culvert when the quick, final signal camS.
 He rose to ii. The doctor uttered K d triunRh as he flung himself back in his saddle for the drop-many feet on the farther side of the culvert. Frank flew on with unbroken stride.
 The train was right on them, and some echo of that shout must have reached the engineer above the rattle of his fierce machine, for there was a sudden hoarse shrieking of whistle and grinding of brakes. The race, however, continued to be Q mad and doubtful one for many paces further. Then the horse drew rapidly away, and minute later his rider turned him aside at the crossing of the road to Sam Williams barnyard.
 The doctor rode on toward the sta ble with look back at his late pur- suer, which had come almost to standgtill, but which, seeing him out of danger, went on it's way again.
 It consisted of an engine, tender and caboose, headed by high, old-fash- toned now-plow--the one, as he after ward learned, which had been brought in by the evening expxress, and which was now being returned to the main line for service elsewhere. It was the blow which had concealed the light of the engine, and, no doubt, it had been the cause of his not being seen before.
 pr. Graham hurried his horse into warm stall, and made for the house without delay. A single glance within showed him that he had come none too soon. The injured boy was lying unconscious and apparently lifeless, with his mother sobbing and moaning helplessly over him.
 The doctor set to work instantly, almost without hope at first. but he soon had the assurance that his ter rible railway ride had not been in vain. Bob was able to open his eyes and smile faint welcome to his father when he returned.
 As soon as Williams had made cer- tain of his sons safety, the doctor questioned him eagerly about the state of affairs at his own home.
 "No," said Sam, confidently, "they can't know a thing about that train sonin' out. I must have been in the @+,f,1a when if went by and T never