The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1912-04-11

reSOrted 10 the Ola SCueuule SJ Slen Oh
dispatching. But trains were late and
the tracks slippery. After six hours
of herculcan labor a single line was
run along the afflicted district OF the
Great Central lines and limited com
munication resumed.
On the night of the 10th Henry
was sitting drowsily by his little stove.
In these dreams was he engrossed
when suddenly and unexpected came
the call for Erie-Er. er. Answering.
Sherlock received the awful message:
Rocky cut bridge down and the Ma
tional limited has passed here. Signed.
Springdale."
Springdale was the first night sta
ton east of Erie and thirty-two miles
away. Rocky cut was Il mile and
half from Erie in the same direction
and spanned by an old wooden rail
road bridge. What should he do?
Quickly he thought and quickly form
ed his plan.
On went his hat, coat and gloves
and out the door he tore and rushed
toward the big roundhouse. On
nearby siding with steam up stood a
switch engine, into which he sprang
after opening the switch on TO the main
track.
He pulled the reverse lever and
backed out of the siding on to the main
track. With all possible haste he re-
set the switch, re-entered the cab and
opened wide the throttle.
Never before had he gone so fast
never before had he attempted to run
alone. In fact, his largest experience
in running had been acquired on his
fathers private train. Now he seem
ed to stand still. Yet the cut soon
opened before him. He braced himself.
damned on both brakes. and rs the
engine stopped on the edge of the
bank he swung to the ground, slipped
on the ice and snow and finally sank
down in heap.
He tried to rise. He could use but
one foot-he had broken his ankle.
How, with only one leg, could he cross
the river? Yet he crawled down to
the edge. hoping to make his way over
on the ice But the river. contrary to
his expectations. was open. He wav-
cred. almost backed out, then thought
of Sarah and his opportunity-an
plunged into the icy flood.
Hindcred by his useless leg, he
seemed to make but little progress.
Would he never reach the other side:
He was fast becoming exhausted when
he struck firm ground and crawled out
of the water Painfully he made his
way up to a section shanty, where
We're kept torpedoes for just such an
emergency He grasped several and
hurried as fast as possible up the track.
He must give the warning far enough
from the bridge to allow the racing
train time TO stop.
And now his iron constitution, which
won him collegiate sporting fame,
served him well.
But he must go faster. He had
but little time. He tried to walk on
his broken leg. but it would not sup
port him. He must crawl again. Oh.
if he could only run, even for a minute
or two. But bark. Even now in the
distance he hears the whistle of the
approaching train. Disappointed. he
stops his mad race and fixes the torpe
does securely to the track.
Now he waits, but not for long. The
train reels around the curve. Suppose
the torpedoes should fail, But his
fears are groundless. AS the train
passes. one torpedo after another eX-
plodes with deafening roar. the
brakes are slammed on. the engine and
coaches groan, creak and come TO
standstill. The train is saved,
Exhausted and no longer upheld by
the intense excitement, he sank down
unconscious. In this condition he was
found by the trainmen. From letters
in his pockets his identity was estab-
lshed and became known throughout
the train. Henry Sherlock" cried
young woman who rushed out of a car.
She hurried down the track to where
they were taking the unconscious man
into sleeper and Immediately as
sumed command. After he had been
carefully placed in berth she sought
to soothe him with endearng words
and loving carcSseS. In the meantime
brakeman went through the car for
surgeon. One speedily came. and to-
gether they set the broken ankle,
bound it and made spliuts to hold it
in position.
Again the doctor examined the man
and then shook his head ominously.
He has developed pneumonia and
will need the most careful nursing
oh" cried Sarah.
He had best be taken to a hospital
as soon as possible VIII you attend
to it?"
The limited was detoured over an
other railroad. and when they reached
Toledo. the first large city. Henry, still
unconscious, was removed from the
train and carried to a hospital
With her father and mother Sarah
had been on her way to California
After the accident she refused to 20
further, but determined to stay in To
ledo with friends. Brave she tried to
be, yet the strain was terrible. 1t was
because of her he had gone away. If