Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-04-12

HUu SWUus uIU.SVll up Oh Tue TOOL OI
the car. lin another moment Billy un.
aerstoOd ut least part Of the mes
bage. He was going to get water
supply from the ice boxes in the refrig-
orator.
Entirely dnassisted and with only the
coal pick for an ice hook Barney haul
ed up the big 200 pound cakes out OF
the ice box, ran them along the running
board till they reached the end Of the
car, then gave them lick or two with
the pick. and down slid the pieces into
the tank. Although they were run
ming fully fifty miles an hour, he work
ed just as swiftly as though they were
standing STILL Not lick was missed,
and not cake got away from him.
When the box at one end Of the cal
was emptied he ran to the other end
and began on the second one. When
that was emptied he climbed down
upon the tank, took Off the end gate,
dropped the lid over the manhole and
came back into the cab.
NOW Suut VII yOui ONtluON, ie odio
as the fireman yielded up his seat.
Throw your tank valve over and open
your injector throttle. We've got to get
steam enough into the tank to melt
that ice put In fifteen cakes. They're
good for twenty gallons apiece. | guess
that will let us In. In fact, it's got to"
he continued as he glanced at the steam
gauge. "for we can't spare steam
enough to melt any more"
From then on not word was said.
Barney took his place on the seat box,
the fireman kept his eye on the water
glass, and the brakeman looked after
the COAL The steam soon melted the
ice, and the water ran as free as ever.
Mile after mile rolled by.
The last twenty miles were soon re-
duced to fifteen. The trains speed new
er slackened for an instant. Fourteen
miles-thirteen! They were using lots
of water, but the injector still worked
smoothly.
'Twelve-eleven-te 1t was begin
ming to suck little. Nine-eight! 1t
was hard work now to get it to take
hold Seven-six! Billy put it on this
time as they started down middle
mans drop" and when, about half
way down. 1t broke with a roar he
knew that there was not another drop
of water in the tank. The glass was
little more than three quarters full and
five miles to go.
Barney set his teeth together little
closer as the space at the top of the
recording glass began to lenSthen.
Two-thirds, and over three miles yet!
Half full-three inches! The strain
was beginning to tell. A look OF de-
spair began to settle on the fireman's
face, but Barney only gripped the throt-
tie little tighter and leaned little
farther forward. Two inches-one and
half. Only one inch left. and they
were still two miles out! How long
would the boiler stand 1t before burst
ing? The fireman began to wonder
how 1t would feel to be suddenly lifted
clear off the rig!:, Of way. and the
brakeman started to edge toward the
gangway. In another moment the wa
ter was out of sight in the bottom of
the glass.
Even Barney could now feel the cold
sweat start out all over him.
Turn your CRATES. Billy" he shouted.
drop your fire in the ash pan aud
shake it out on tie track
Billy understood the other part of the
telegraph message now. and he went To
work with will. In Il few seconds
there was nothing visible in the bottom
of the fire box but the slowly cooling
CRATE prongs. mile and q half yet.
The steam gauge was beginning To
culver. A few rods farther and it had
gone back five pounds.
At the mile they were down to nine
ty, at the half only forty; at the quar-
ter they had scarcely twenty-five
pounds But the momentum Of the
train was enough. In another moment
they were In the yards. and ne race
was won.
They needed switch engine to sci
them in on the siding, but as they saw
the new crew take charge, the fresh
engine coupled on. the ice boxes re1lled
and the train off for Chicago fully five
minutes before the Midland whistled
for town they did not mind being
dragged around as Cripple" and
they Immediately set to work to see
how much damage had been done.
Never even bulged the crown sheet"
said the boiermaker whom Barney
persuaded to examine the engines in
terror. ut took the lead pretty well out
Of the soft plug, but 1t won't take long
to fix that. l don't think the boss III
say anything about It,"
The general manager didn't say much
either. There was no gold watch pres
entation. no eulogies were offered and
no speeches made. but Barney Melon
aid pulls the fast mail today over the
middle division and obeys orders strict
ly. He considers that dry order one Of
the best ever issued.