Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-04-10

tain can never forget the awe which it inspires and the sentiment it creates.
 Perhaps it was this that may have touched the good and noble which must have lain dormant deep in the heart of Red" McCann, Wyoming's noted out law. Perhaps it was the tear-stained letter which they found in his pocket the next day, written by heart-broken mother in the east. At any rate, there was something which moved Red" Mc- Cam to save the Overland Limited" at the cost of his own worthless life, and thereby expiate so far as possible his many crimes.
 By sunset the storm had reached the summit of the pass and was raging with fury almost inconceivable in strength and grandeur. Dale creek had become a swollen. roaring. swirling. maddened torrent during the few short afternoon hours and the risen waters were under mining the trestle abutments and beat ing with tremendous force upon the un- derframing. The east-bound through freight was stopped at Tie Siding by the trackwalker, who declared that the tres tie was unsafe and that it would not stand the hurricane of wind and water more than an hour.
 How about the limited?" asked the conductor of the freight.
 She's due at the Siding in an hour, and all the wires on the mountain divis- ion are down. There isn't time to go around and stop her; unless some one will cross the trestle she's fated."
 twill no one undertake to cross? The trestle will hold the weight of man."
 q know, but I don't believe there's man living could cross there tonight. The wind would sweep a train from the track, so powerful are the blasts above the center of the gulch, where there is nothing to break its fury. I've tried it several times. only to be glad to retrace any journey. The best I could do was third of the way over''
 The freight conductor was powerful man and brave one. The limited must be warned at any cost. Falling upon his hands and knees and slinging red lan- tern on his arm he began to creep out upon the swaying trestle. Slowly he went from tie to tie, clinging desperate ly to the rail when the gusts came. Near ing the middle of the bridge he realized that he could proceed no further and would be fortunate if his strength last ed until he returned to his starting point. To the anxious group awaiting him he declared that the task was be- yond human effort. The distant rumble of the overland as she labored up the mountain grades came faintly to the ears of anxious watchers. Was it pos sible that nothing could be done to save the four score lives she was known tc be carrying? Red" McCann, who had joined the group. suddenly asked: What is fellow to do if he should get over there?"
 Just swing a red lantern across the track. That's all.''
 That's easy. I guess I'll try"
 Taking the lantern from the conduct or he placed it underneath his coat. se- curely buttoning it in. and started on his perilous trip. The wind had increased in violence and the trestle was swaying and creaking and grooming as it was shaken by the fury of the storm. Red McCann reached the center of the trestle in safety. where he was seen to crouch with his arms and legs entEined about the rail. At each effort to proceed the eager watchers could plainly discern that he was forced to quickly entwine himself about the rail to prevent being blown into space
 Again and again the effort was re- newed. only to be met with failure The rumble of the Overland now came plain ly to the ears of all. and evidently Red McCann, with his ear close to the rail. had heard it more plainly than anyone
 The tasks beyond human strength groaned the freight conductor
 McCann's moving again shouted the station agent excfte-dly. The outlaw had evidently realized that if he accom- plished his purpose it would be only by one almost surerhuman effort and he had been resting for the supreme test- The little eruuu Wnfched hfn = he