Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-11-16
A Q U c X r U N

Mrs. Markley one day formed a plan
which seemed to give her q good deal
Of happiness. 1t was her sons birth
day, and she wanted to go down to
Philadelphia in his train without let
ting him know anything about it and
there purchase a present for him. She
took me into her confidence and had
me assist her.
1t was a midsummer day, and the
weather was delightful. The train was
neither al express nor an accommodate
ton, but stopped ut the principal sta
tons on the route. On this occasion,
as there were two specials on the line,
it was run by telegraph.
We started without aiShap and cas-
lily reached the first station il the time
allotted to us. AS we stopped there
the boy ran alongside with the tele-
gram, which he handed to the driver.
The next moment l heard a smotLcred
exclamation from Marklcy.
GO back" he said to the boy, 'and
tell Williams to have the message re-
peated. There's a mistake"
The boy dashed off. In ten minutes
he came flying back. Had it repeated"
he painted. civilians is storming at
you. Says there is no mistake. and
you'd best get on" He thrust the
second message up as he spoke.
Marllley read it and stood hesitatiny
for half Il minute. There were dismay
and utter perpleXity in the expression
Of his face as he looked at the telegram
and then at the long train behind him.
1 was watching him With considerable
curiosity. ! ventured to ask him what
was the matter and what he was going
to do.
I'm going to obey" he replied curt
~.
We moved out Of the station and
dashed through low lying farms at Il
speed which seemed dangerous to me.
Put i'll more coal,' said Markley.
l shovcled it in, but took time.
"AIorc coal" he said. | threw it in.
The fields and houses began to fly
past half seen. We We're nearing Du>
freme. the next station. Markley's eye
went from the gauge to the face of the
timepicce and back.
"NIore," he said without turning his
eye. l took up the shovel-hesitatcd.
"Markley, do you know We are going
at the rate of sixty miles an hour
Coal"
was alarmed at the stern. cold rigid
ity Of the man. At least we must
stop at Dufreme. He told me that was
preached. AS the first houses came
into view the engine sent its shrek of
warning; it grew louder. louder.
We dashed up to the station. where q
group Of passengers waited. and passed
it without the halt of an instant. catch
ing 4 glimpse of the appalled, faces Of
the waiting crowd. Then we were in
the fields again.
/ heaped in the coal at intervals. as
he bahe me. l did it because I was op-
pressed by an odd sense of duty which
never had in my ordinary train work.
lie did not move hand or foot. except
in the mechanical control of his engine.
his eye going from the gauge to the
timopiece with q steadincss that was
mere terrible and threatening than any
CLEAN Of insanity would have been.
"Twenty miles" he muttercd. 'Ilrow
on more coal. .iack. The fire is going
out"
l did it. Yes, 1 did it. There was
something in the face of that man that
! could not resist. Then l climbed for
ward and shook him by the shoulder.
'Niarklcy," l shouted. you are run
ming this train into the jaws of DEATH"
Il know it," he replied quietly.
"Your mother is aboard the train"
lie staggered to his feet. But even
then he did not remove his eyes from
the gauge.
Make up the nre.." he commanded
and pushed i'll the throttle valve.
Il will not"
81 could throw ,fou off this engine
and make short work Of YOU" he sail
But look here. DO you see the sta-
ton Wonder? | Was told to roach that
station by & O'Clock. The express; >rlin
meeting us is due. | ought to have
laid by for it At Dufreme. | WAS told
to come on. The track is Il single one"
| said nothing. | threw on "oul. If
J. had had petroleum / should have
thrown it OH. But | never VAS ralmcr
in my life. Marklcy pushed tn" valve
still farther. The engine began to Give
Il strange painting sound. Far of to
the south | could SO" the NituminouS
black smoke of Il train.
looked at Marklcy inqniringly. He
nodded. 1t was the express.
! looked across the clear summer Sky
at the gray smoke of the peaceful little
village and beyond that Il black line.
coming closer, closer. across the sky.
In Il minute We'll, ! confess
J. sat down and buried my face in my
hands. | Gon't think | tried TO pray.
There was Il terrific shrek from the
engine. against which l leaned. and
another III my face. \ hot, kissing
tempest swept past me.
looked up. We were on the siding,
and the express had gon" by. II @rA%"l
Il end carriage in passing,
Yes. gentlemen, | have been in many