Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1902-05-08

Of the coach with lips moving and
eyes uplifted and, If you knew her,
thoughts, you would understand. ss
The old train is beginning to swing
and surge, and through the purpling,
fading twilight objects dash by ~
like ghosts. We are upgrade now,
but making good 40 miles an hour;
but 1t can't be done, Ray. Give it up,
old man, you would make it, if it were
possible, but no need to try the Inn
possible. Besides it's dangerous
such speed as this-and certainly you
are going to shut of steam down this
grade. No man would think of work.
ing steam down such hill as this.
Chu! Chu!! Chu!!! Chu!!!! That
don't sound like shutting off muck,
does It? Look at those telegraph
poles, like pickets on a fence! And
the people they stare! Did they
never see train before? See that
old man with his hand to his eyes,
looking in wonderment. That old dog
has kept up with many a train for
200 yards, but, Towser, you can't do
it tonight. Have you suddenly
grown old and stiff, or did you never
see train run like this one? Get up,
Mark Winston, and be careful when
you strike the next reverse curve.
We are almost half way, and, although
the speed is terrific, only one-third Of
the lost time has been made up, and
should some one flag us at Arlington,
the race is wholly lost. There is the
signal now for that station. Please
God that no one wants to go to Fort
Worth this night! There is no slack
ing of the speed, but here is light
to STOP. No, it's only the lantern on
the mail crane. Square yourself for
that catch, Mark, and be careful.
All! you made it. But let the mail
go, and let's, watch this run. Hear that
switch rattle, as we go over, and see
that lantern, winling like star.
That's right, Ray, sound your whis-
tie loud and long for the country
road crossings, and be sure you give
the belated farm wagons plenty Of
time to get out of the way. You
have the case with you, Ray Ellis
not with him alone, eh Mark? Well,
pray little mother that we may hug
the rails, the speed is sufficient. Now
we are going up the last grade, and
the exhaust from the engine is like
clockwork, Up! Up!! Up!!! Up!!!! to
the summit. See the lights of tho
city. Now the plunge down to Hand
ley creek. Down! Down.! Down!!i
Down!!!!. The car seems to be fall
ing from under us. Is it possible to
keep the track? Great Heavens!
didn't that bridge shrek and tremble,
but it held up all right. I believe he
will make it. Blow your whistle like
mad, Ray, for it be heard at the
city now. Blow it so that all may
know we are coming. A moment and
we are lost. Put command, and love
and entreaty in it's rhythmical sound,
that he that hears will heed. What on
earth is he stopping for? Oh, beg
your pardon, Ray, I forgot the Santa
Fe Railroad crossing. You didn't
quite stop, did you, old man, but
that's all right-vou can stop twice
oOAAAS OonCA Aoys NOW, VIC CACCI -tA0
yards with cars lined UP on every
side. But look! White lights all the
way on the main track. Let her
drive for the station, Ray. Rattle.
Rattle. Rattle. A sudden putting on
of the brakes, the pitch forward, the
people around the depot.
sFORT WORTH"
You are right, mister negro porter,
"Dere was important people on dat
train or dis yere Rock Island wouldn't
have waited" Bow all you want to
to the young folks getting into the
palace car, but the important people
are getting into the common car just
ahead of the Pullman. Had it not
been for them your train would have
now been on its way to the territory.
And this old man bending over the
steam chest of old Forty-six, and
seeming to caress the massive driv-
ing rod-why does he not stand erect?
Has he done aught that he should
hang his head?
Look up, Ray Ellis, and see those
old hands waving at thee from the
fast departing train.-N. Y. indie.
pendent.