The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-08
The Crimson Special.
BY PAU COOK.

. COOKs
 marble. A binding crimson headlight shone far down the track, bathing the station in it's glow. From a line Of coaches streamed out the same peculiar light As the train drew near Strictland's fright gave way to utter amazement. He could readily see that the locomotive was No. "A, enormous in size. and IL ap- preached with such terrific speed it seemed destined to annihilate the httle station nesting by the track
 With a rush the crimson train swept by Wheeling. Tn the cab. with his hand on the throttle. sat a hideous monster, clad all in crimson. There were horns on hls head and he wore a forked tail As the locomotive thundered past he leaned far out and smiled sardonicaly. Another creature, equally terrifying, was shovel ing coal into the furnace. Its glare light ed up his ghoulish, smoke-begrimed coun- tenance Then came magnifcently fur nished coaches, ten in number. All were illuminated by the same crimson glow that. shone from the locomotive head light Several luxurious cars were empty. In one a party of gentlemen wearing stoye-pipe hats were seated around a table indulging in late game of cards. They appeared unconcerned at their surroundings or those demoni- acal monsters in the cab. Next came a diner. then two sleepers, and, like flash, the train was gone
 While passing the locomotive gave forth a long, tremulous wall that echoed and re-echoed through the night. It was a horrible sound, such as never locomotive made before. It was too much for Strict land and he sank in a heap on the floor
 Strickland was brought to his senses by the sound of another train. Instinct ively he stumbled toward his instrument He reached out for his key to send a warning to Oakhurst when the Overland Limited. puffing and snorting, drew up at the station. Strickland perceived the cheery face of Conductor Wilhelm ap- preaching through the darkness and rushed out to meet him.
 "The train The tran!' cried the oper- ator. What became of it? Where did it go?''
 What train?" asked Wilhelm, in sur prise. Do you mean No s6. that Is waiting for us above Cloverdale2"
 ''Nov' cried Strickland frantically, the red train Didn't you see it? It passed here just now running sixty miles an hour, and if it didn't knock the Overland into splinters. where did it go?"
 Wihelm's face showed surprise then amazement. and was finally overspread with an incredulous smile.
 "See here'' said he, you have been dreaming l haven't seen any red or any green train. If one had passed I would not be standing before you alive. You simply went to sleep and had night mare. Give me my orders and let me go I have a good notion to report you to the old man-thats his car on behind-but l will let you off this time Don't let me hear of you seeing any more red trains " he finished, scornfu1ly, "or you will be sorry."
 Strickland stood dumb. feeling like a fool. The crimson light. internal whis- tie, and above all, those monsters in the cab, almost forced him to believe that he had really been dreaming, or was else going insane. It was several hours before he recovered himself and even then he was shaky on the key. His vivid recollection of the train could not be wiped away, and the more he thought about it the more puzzled he became. He knew he had not made blunder as where did this special come from and where did it go? At the rate of speed with which it passed, it must certainly have collided with the Overland limited between Wheeling and Oakhurst yet the Overland had just disappeared in the distance with all on board safe.
 Strickland was debating these puzzling questions, when he received startling message from Oakhurst,
 Hold Wheeling siding open for Grim son Special Backing in from here.'
 The onerator's knees again became