Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-03-19
A GIRLS FLIGHT
Observation-Disclosures
By w. ii. Boyce.
If X NASTY night, Haskell"

Ii NASH night, Haskell"
n l stepped down from my sea
IN the cab of No. 277, and, with som
muttered reply to the greeting O
the round house foreman, passed GU
INTO the yard, thoroughly tired
hungry and irritable after my 12C
mile u in the cab of the limited ex
press.
1t was one of those wild night,
we sometimes, but not often, ge
during the month of November.
night of the blacklist darkness, file,
with driving rain and frozen sleet
night of washouts, doubtful road
beds, delays and loss of time, to b.
followed by a five-minute interview
with the division superintendent. ;
man of few words and much less con
s%ideration.
L had just brought in the limited
express some 20 minutes late, owing
to the icy condition of the rails. anc
l knew what to expect.
L hurried along through the wind
and rain, eager to get to my board.
ing house where a warm supper and
dry clothes awaited me.
L had just reached the house when
1 heard the sounds of hurried steps
coming down the street after me,
L turned and glanced carelessly over
my shoulder and saw, by the flicker
ing light on the opposite corners,
that it was Nick, my fireman.
We're in for it this time, l guess"
he exclaimed abruptly, as he came
up the steps after me.
why, what's the trouble now?"
i asked, although I had a pretty
good idea of what was coming.
The old mans down at the ward,
inc he's cussing like a trooper be-
cause you went off before he got a
chance to see you"
1--WE lost 20 minutes on that grade.
l suppose that is what it MEANS" I
answered. well, never mind. I'll
oe right down as soon as | eat my
supper and get into some dry clothes.
I'm drenched.'
No, it amt that" replied Nick
quickly. "The deuce is to pay some
where. We've got to pull out again
ala catch the-9:45 into Hampton, and
gone nearly ten minutes now.
I've got ~ out and fred up. She'll
be blowing by the time we get back.
Come on
L will not state that I did not say
anything out of the way. But sup
per or no supper, together we hur-
fled back down to the yard, where I
found Henderson pacing up and down
in the storm and growing like d
hungry dog.
Can you catch that 9:45 before she
gets into Hampton?" he asked, as
as l came in sight.
Its doubtful" I answered shortly.
shes been gone ten minutes al
"Oh, yes, you cam" he insisted per-
sistently. "There's nothing ahead of
have got "a clear track un-
til midnight"
"Why don't you telegraph" I
wonderingly.
That's the trouble he snarled.
THE wires are all down; I can't" 4
"Well, I'll try it. What are the or
knew that If we were to overtake
the 9:45, there was no time to
lost in asking idle questions. Be-
l was not in very good humor
1T the sudden change from a warm
supper, dry clothes and shelter to a
Wild night ride over an uncertain
'oad in the storm; and moreover, I
1ad no very sincere liking for Jacob
Esq.
Il want you to catch the 9:45 be-
ore she gets into Hampton" he re-
,eated insistently. "You can do it, if
,on open her up and let her go.
When you overtake her give this note
o Conductor Davis, and if he gives
,ou anything to bring back, take it,
70 matter what it is. I'll wait here
or .van How quick can you start?"
Sdought that there was some
ming rather unusual about all this,
it was not for me to question or
lers. H
In about two minutes" T said,
'romptly; "just a soon as 1 can
axe in a little water. The tank is al
aost empty"
"Never mind the water" cried the
Id man, impatiently. II want you to
ct started. You have got enough
Q run down with. You can take
ONE coming back"
This thoughtlessness on his part {
ettled me a little and / retorted ]
ather sharply:
I'm running this engine, Mr.. Hen {
erson. # you want me to overtake ]
ne 9:45 it will take speed, and speed I
akes steam and / cannot make steam
water. If, you can, just step /
p and take my place and do it," 1
He made no reply, but turned away /
18th something that sounded very /