The Kennewick courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1905-1914, 1905-12-01

rection. and was therefore entirely I'M
acquainted with this part Of the coun-
try. But l found everything just as 1t
had appeared in my dream.
Immediately after starting I passed
through the wood l had seen In my
dream, and then entered the open field
and found the two farmhouses, one
inhabited and the other deserted. In
fact, everything was as natural as II
l had really been this way before.
walked slowly, and late in the after
noon l came to the stream, which
flowed rapidly and seemed much
swollen. But the bridge, instead Of
being broken down and mingled with
the broken cars and mangled passen-
gers, was still standing. and though
its timber looked quite old and
weather beaten, there seemed to be
little danger of its breaking down be-
meath the weight Of passing train.
There was heavy freight train due
from the west about o'clock, and l
resolved to wait until at least it came.
and If it passed over in safety there
could be, l thought, but little danger
Of accident to tho lighter passenger
train.
In due time It came laundering
along and passed safely over the bridge.
But, though it might have been owing
to my excited Imagination, it seemed
to me that the bridge bent and shook
beneath the weight Of the train in Il
manner highly suggestive Of danger.
At all events, 1 resolved to wait a
while longer and see II the stream,
which was still rising, would have any
apparent effect upon the bridge. 1 took
with me a lantern and also a thick
blanket to protect me from the damp
night air.
Shortly after sunset, as was sitting
a few rods from the stream, heard
a loud splash, and hrrrying to the
bridge l saw that portion Of the
bank on the opposite side had broken
away, and also that the action of the
water, or some other cause, had weak
ened the foundations of the bridge IN
line was bent and lowered enough ia
make it impossible for 4 train to cross.
l Immediately crossed the bridge, re-
solved to stop the train, If possible,
before it reached the bridge and GER
tain destruction.
l went on in the direction from
which the train was to come, and soon
found a good place which commanded
a view of the line FOR considerable
distance. l lit my lantern, wrapped
my blanket closely around me, and sat
down to my wearisome watch of two
hours. The night was clear, but not
very dark, though no moon was shin
ing. l suffered nothing from cold, as
l was remarkably warm, even for the
climate of Virginia, and l succeeded
in keeping awake. though the task was
a difficult one.
Slowly the moments passed by, but
at last l saw by my watch that the
time had nearly expired, and a few
moments would decide the fate of the
train and it's human freight. Soon l
saw a light, far away and very small
at first, but rapidly growing larger and
brighter. l arose, treEb bling with ex-
element, and commenced swinging
the lantern above my head, and as the
train drew near 1 doubled my exertion
and shouted as loud az l could.
| Onward came the train at a rapid
speed.
1t was a time of terrible suspense
to me. Should the engineer fail to see
my signal, or not see it in time to stop
the train before going a few rods past
me, l knew that no human power
could save 1t. On 1t came, and, Just
as 1 gave up my exertions and stepped
from the line, my frantic signals were
observed, arousing the sleepy brake
men like an electric shock, who new
to their stauonS-