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Show COLLEGIATE LIFE <br><br> AN INCIDENT IN THE WYOMING FIRE. <br> BY L. M. BOVER. <br> (Continued from February Number.) <br> Minnie now stationed herself in the middle of the track, for she had no fire-brand of any kind with which to give the signal. She knew that the long stream of light from the powerful head-light of the engine, would bring her into view, to the engineer long before the engine would come upon her. She was now prepared and waiting, but the wait was not long, for she could now see the light from the engine as it whirled around the gentle curbe [sic] but a short distance below. Above the roar and rattle could be heard the clanging of the bell. The single eye in front seemed to glare savagely, while the whistle shrieked with a shrill, quavering howl, as though of a monster long imprisoned, and the smoke, blacker even than the night, vomited and coughed forth through the smoke stack, innumerable little flashes of meteors that sprang into the air as though eager to get to the outer world. <br> Minnie, as she had expected, had been seen by the engineer some distance away. She had given the usual brakeman's signal to stop, as she was quite familiar with all the ordinary signals. The engineer surprised and frightened at the same time by seeing a girl in the middle of the track, brought his train to a stop as quickly as possible. Minnie, however, was compelled to step from the track for the train passed her a short distance. In a few moments she was at the side of the engine again, just as the engineer and fireman alighted. Minnie soon related the events of the earlier part of the night, and in a few minutes the news spread all through the train. Brareman, porters and everybody who was up came running to the front to see the one who had saved them from an awful wreck. Minnie, who was mindful of the fireman on "76", now started back, leading a vand [sic] of volunteers, who were eager to do anything to help her. Upon reaching the engine they could yet hear the noise of the escaping steam. Immediately the engineer and fireman of the Overland Limited climbed into the cab of "76." The fireman had been thrown against the cab with such force when the engine went into the ditch that he was rendered unconscious; crouched down in a heap on the floor partially covered with coal, lay the fireman, bleeding from several slight bruises about the body. He was quickly taken from the engine and within a short time began to show signs of life. As soon as he had recovered enough to distinguish well, he was surprised to hear a voice call out to him, "Hello!" and as the light from the lantern clearly outlined the bystanders, half blinded, he saw Minnie looking down upon him. Her face looked drawn as one who expects to look upon suffering, but a bright gleam flashed in the eyes of the fireman as he recognized the figure standing before him. <br> It was soon evident that the fireman was in pain, for as he attempted to move a groan escaped his lips. Minnie, who had been watching closely, noticed in an instant that the fireman was more seriously injured than the others thought. Minnie now became commander of the situation, and orders were given to take the fireman immediately to the station. With half a dozen men standing ready to lend their services, it was but a few minutes before they were plodding their way as best they could towards the depot. <br> The storm that had been the cause of the trouble was now at its most furious stage. The wind had changed, fortunately, driving the rain against the fire. The heavens seemed as though they sent forth streams of fire into the thick darkness of the night. The angry winds blustered and howled, while the firm earth almost trembled with the ceaseless claps of thunder. With this terrific tumult over head and up-turned earth beneath, the little party carefully picked its way through the difficulties, and in less than half an hour arrived at the depot. <br><br> |
