The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-11-02
IN fix that bell p and he dashed from

InlS Iime, however, the HeaFy
wrench descended on the maniac's head
with sickening thud, and he fell back
into the coal box insensible.
"'Springing forward, 1 turned on the
airbrakes and reversed the lever SO quickly,
presume, that half the passengers in the
coaches were thrown from their seats.
"'The engine was just turning sharp
curve when l caught sight of the freight
train again, which seemed within touching
distance. turned to jump from the cab,
but before 1 had reached the door had
swooned.
"'The pilot of the engine, as ascer
tanned later, was but three inches from the
caboose of the freight train when it stopped,
and on examination was found lying on
the floor of the cab in an unconscious con-
dition.
"'My hair, the engineer continued
after pause, when we left Fort Wayne,
was jet black in color, but it had during
the ride turned partially gray, and within
a month it was snowy white.
"'The engineers body could not be
found in the coal box, and search was
instituted, which resulted in his being
found lying beside the track about half
mile from where the engine stopped.
4" He seemed to be as rational as any
body, but could not remember single in
cident of that fearful night when he en-
dangered the lives of over 100 passengers.
He came further east and obtained en-
-, .bo consolidated Road buf
was again attacked with his old malady.
He became incurably insane and was re-
moved to the state insane asylum OF an
Eastern state. have paid several visits
to my old superior since his incarceration,
but he recognizes no one.
"sYes, sir, it was exciting, and no
mistake
at was nearing midnight when the en-
gineer had finished this story continued
the travelling man, land then | rose from
the stool on which 1 had been sitting dur
| ing part of the ride and determined to
change to the passenger cars at the next
stopping place. just as | had made this
mental resolve there came suddenly
crash at the cab window of the engine that
sent every drop of blood to my heart with
a sickening thrill. | had time to draw
one long breath when the engineer whis
tied down brakes, and shut off steam
from the engine, exclaiming:
f'Heavens what's that? while both
he and myself shook the broken glass from
our faces and necks.
+" It's lantern, said the fireman,
picking up what remained of the article.
&C Thrown at us, said the engineer.
THAT means danger, I should judge, If it
means anything.
'In the meantime the train had been
brought to standstill; the conductor had
appeared at the side of the engine to con-
suit with the engineer, after which he ran
back to the spot where the lantern had
struck us. We bad retraced our steps
nearly a quarter of a mile, when man
suddenly appeared through the darkness
and came to the locomotive.
"'Did you throw that lantern? de-
manded the engineer.
's'To be sure did, and worse luck to
yez if l hadn't hit yez 7 was the answer
that came to our ears, with unmistakable
Milesian accent.
"'Who are you and what the matter?
What's up inquired the engineer next.
I'm the trackman, and the matter is
broken rail jest beyant, as would hev
sent yez all to glory replied the Irishman.
''The affair was soon explained. Dur
ing the winter months the frost often rem
ders the rails very brittle, SO that they
break under a passing train, and, in con-
sequence to this liability to danger, corps
of trackmen are so placed as to walk over
and examine every mile of the road in ex-
treme weather after the passing of each
train. These trackmen are supplied with
ordinary tools for repairing any slight
break.
s;In this instance the trackman had dis
covered serious break in a rail beside a
steep embankment and viaduct--ene of
the most dangerous spots on the road. In
his efforts to repair the damage his lantern
had become extinguished. Here was an
unfortunate plight, indeed. Besides, he
had exhausted his supply Of matches in a
vain endeavor to light the wick in SO fierce
storm.
''The Irishman was puzzled. The light
ming express-for this was the name of
the train-if it had struck that defective
rail would surely have been wrecked.
What was to be done2 A sudden inspira-
tion struck the trackman. He started and
ran nearly half mile up the track toward
| Ao A ha ri
the rumble of its approach as he placed
himself on slight elevation on one side of
the track.
ssOn came the train-he could see the
flaming headlight, though the engineer
could neither see nor hear him--on, like
thunderbolt- on, SO miles an hour,
to destruction. se.
srThe Irishman braced himself, and,
with swift. though true, throw of his
unlighted lantern he cast it straight into
the engineers face.
"We crept carefully onto the dangerous
spot, where detention of less than half
hour served to mend the track sufficiently
to permit the passage of the train, and we
once more dashed ahead in the darkness.
Jehosophat, but that was d narrow
escape 7 averred the engineer, adding: j
daresay, young fellow, you will never for
get this night experience upon the light
ming express. The Irishman gave me quite
a scare, you may rest assured. OF course,
the lantern only grazed my head; never
theless, that last cigar you gave me wal
knocked out of my hand during the ex
citement of the moment in trying to catcl
the gim ere it struck the floor.
Let every voter make his eros
mark X) opposite of Joshu'
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