The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-03-18
A MAD REVENGE.

wonder now IL Cdl1e W 10 'noo
young.
Eight years ago on the Goth Of this very
month I stood at the altar with Laura
Comstock.
was q telegraph operator and was STA
toned at Wayburg, a station 20 miles from
Stockton and at the terminus OF the then
D. G.. and G. R. railway.
Returning from our honeymoon, 1 lef'
my wife in Stockton and proceeded to
Wayburg, intending to remain at my olo
post until relieved, which I thought would
be in a few days, as my offered resignation
had been accepted at headquarters. The
engineer on the cup" train was Mark
Moore, a rather handsome young fellow,
who had been my rival for the hand or the
woman I called my wife.
When the train stopped at Moreland's' !
slighted from the passenger coach and
walked forward to the engine. Mark was
busily engaged oiling the machinery.
Elbow are you, MorganP" he said as he
espied me and held out his hand. Els
disappointment seemed to have left him,
and he was very pleasant "Going TO
Wayburg9"
Eyes"
"Just get in with me, then, /" he said.
replied that I would do 30, and when
the train moved away I was occupying a
seat in the engine, chatting with the en-
gineer.
Zone hardly notices the ascent, but the
descant is aa entirely different thing. l
was thinking, Morgan, what a terrible
thing It would be If an engine with full
bower on were to become unmanageable at
The top Of the grade and dash away.
"And II a man bent on revenge were to
place a fellow creature bound on the en-
CINE, what q terrible death he would las
ten to with almost lightning rapidityF'
The following night was dark and tenn
pestuous, and I alono occupied the sta
ton, watching the little machine before
mo. That day a new engine had arrived,
and Mark Moore had been put IN charge
of it. From Q o'clock in the afternoon to
81 saw him moving about the engine.
Until 10 I watched the little machine.
Then Mark opened the door and stepped
into the small apartment.
care you receiving a dispatch, Nor
GAM" he asked.
"No, Mark. Why do you asks"
because If you are not I wish you
would leave the CHECKERS a bit and come
and look at my Red Bird by lantern light
I am going to run down grade to Chal-
mers, reverse the engine and run back.
The train will not be due here for an
hour, and I can go to Chalmers n re-
turn within 20 minutes"
We walked into the great temporary
shed where the new and beautiful engine
stood, ready to run off at the command Of
Its master.
II dare not be so long absent from my
post at this hour, Mark"
pooh, man, there's no danger. You
must go with me-"
"But I cannot, Mark"
He put his lantern on the ground and
then sprang erect.
You shall, Morg GrenobleP" he cried,
and before I could answer him he dashed
me to the earth and planted his knees OF
my breast. -.
"Not a word out Of you, Morg," he said
fercely, producing a rope. I'LL tell you
what I'm going to do. You know we
were discussing the consequences attend
ing the rush Of a maddened engine down
the grade. I reckon I won't 60 to Chal-
mers, but will send you clear to the bot
tom Of the grade"
MARK Moore, you are mad" I said.
Would you murder me in cold blood and
others who are coming up on the 11:10
passenger"
EYES," he said coldly.
I might have resisted, but resistance
would have availed me nothing, for I was
constitutionally weak, while he was q
lion.
"Therei" he said at last as he closed the
furnace door. Everything Is ready for
your ride. You'll 90 right through Stock
ton, but I reckon you won't have time to
stop to speak to loving Laura. Goodby,
Morg. Write when you get to the foot OF
the grade"
The engine vas moving, and he leaped
off.
"May heaven have mercy on your soul,
Mark Moorel" 1 shouted after him.
The grade between Wayburg and Chal-
mers was quite steep, and before I reached
tho little town the speed of tho Red Bird
and its tender seemed to rival that Of the
telegraph.
The towns with their glimmering lights
appeared and were Como in a fash.
The manner in which I was bound per.
mitted me to look out of the window.
l did so, and Stockton, the home Of my
wife, greeted me with its many lights.
Ahead I saw many people waiting for
the lilo passenger.
The next moment I was carried past
them.
saw their astonished faces and heard O
piercing Shrek.
1 recognized the voice as my wife's.
There was ono hope for me--just one
Perhaps tho operator at Stockton had
telegraphed down the grade, and. thu,
warned, the coming train would switch
and save its passengers from death.
Looking out, I saw far ahead the glar.
Ing headlight of the southern train.
To me it looked as though it stood on
my track. Evidently ths train had not
been warned.
Suddenly I heard a man shout, "Stand
backl'' and then, crashl all was dark
SIS ho injured muchf" somebody asked.
Sympathizing faces bent over me-, and @
surgeon was examining my wounds.
"The ties stopped the engine" said the
surgeon. "We received a telegram from
Stockton informing Ut that the new en-
CINE was rushing down the grade. The
southern train was switched off upon Its
arrival here, and we set to work to pile
pnuoerahla ties on the track which