Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-01-09

They had heard the coming earthquake,
and had leaped from their beds.
"Ye're not spreading il enough, lad"
said Andrew. clay it even, in a thin
layer. Give il a sidewise swipe as ye
heave"
"Aye, feyther." Donald answered, and
turned the trailing clouds of smoke to
glory, as he opened the door OF the fire.
box and bent his back to the work.
Burnham passed, like Duncan, in the
winking of an eye.
Old Andrews hand went to the throttle.
Notch by notch he moved the handle up.
The Mogul swayed from side to side,
and struck the curves with slam that
seemed likely TO shear the bolt-headS or
drag the fish plates from their grip. The
rush of wind pinned the engineers wiry
beard against his neck, and drew tears
from his eyes, but he looked steadily at
the cleaning ribbons Of steel ahead, and
turned. only for glance at the sweating
boy on his left-a glance that the boy
did not see.
"Hold tight, lad Hold tight" he
shouted, suddenly.
The engine reeled. The wheels on the
outside OF the curve ground and groaned,
and Donald clutched the front OF the tank
just in time 10 save himself.
"We're past A straight run OF ten
miles, now. lad Pile it in, and spread
it even. We must get her before she
tops Pixies Hill"
The boy, with streams OF sweat fur
rowing the CRIME on his face, bent again
TO his task. He had not known that IT
could be so hard. He had never felt be-
fore that tugging of the breath, that awful
ache in his side. But he kept the fur
mace door open and piled the coal in,
and in the fierce draft sent the steam
gage climbing higher and higher.
AT every station there was larger
group OF spectators. Down the valley
had come the warning, and down the
valley had also spread the ominous roar
of the runaway freight. If it got by the
rise at Willis, there was danger OF an
awful smash beyond for there the grade
took sudden tumble, and the sharpness
of the curves below would make disaster
almost inevitable. If the train should
leave the rails at Newfield, a dozen
houses would be in its path.
lust before they reached Blair, the
long, hungry finger OF the headlight,
stretching forward, touched black bulk
slipping round point Of the mountain,
Again old Andrew pushed the throttle
over, and again the Mogul leaped. When
they struck the curve at the point. even
the heart of the engineer for moment
stood still. The engine tottered.
On the right was the granite buttress
of the Lions Head. On the LETT, hun
dred feet below, yawned the black chasm
of the river. And they were travelling
sixty miles an hour. Fire streamed from
the wheels, and a scream rose from the
rails. But nothing gave, and they were
by. Again the finger Of the headlight
picked up the dim bulk ahead.
"Put the rest Of your oil on that waste
and throw ii inl" cried the engineer.
The boy jumped to the oil-can, and
with his bar, punched and spread
flaming mass; and on il he piled fresh
coal. and stirred and prodded.
"Now, lad, nowl Before they turn
backp
1t was the top of the long rise at Willis
More and more slowly the runaway
climbed, and now by leaps the Mogu
overhauled it. The freight was coming
to stop.
Donald dropped his shovel and leapet
from his seat. Swinging himself out, he
worked his way along the running board
and climbed down on the pilot. His
fathers hand on the throttle was curbine
the speed OF the Mogul. Just as the
great bulks came together, Donald drop
ped the coupling-pin into place. Their
he climbed back and took up his shovel
Andrew McFadden reversed his lever
and by a long pull on the whiStle-cord
released a triumphant blast Then he
turned to his son, and said, "WeIl done
my lad Yen max railroad man. Ye
know enough 10 take orders and obey
them."