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Show COLLEGIATE LIFE <br><br> OUR CHORUS WORK. <br> After thinking over the results of chorus practice during the last two terms, we have come to the conclusion that most of the school have successfully evaded the efforts of Miss Lynne to teach them the vocal art. We may have a few embryo chorus girls among us, but they have remained mute thus far. The only time the boys made a respectable showing was when, in the absence of Miss Paden, they entertained us with that ballad entitled, "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here." The school should do better than this. We hope it has made a New Year's resolution to stop wasting its time in useless fooling, and get from chorus practice the real benefits contained in it. <br><br> AN INCIDENT IN THE WYOMING FIRE. <br> By L. M. BOYER. <br> (Continued from December Number.) <br> Fortunately the engine and cars coupled without trouble, and the fireman with unusually steady alertness immediately reversed the engine. With all possible speed the fireman drove down the track and through the switch, leaving behind a trail of smoke from the burning cars, giving evidence that a fearful explosion was at hand. Even with this terrible danger at his back the youthful engineer did not flinch, but drove on in his mad flight, for it was either life or death to those who lived in the immediate vicinity. <br> The most trying part of the work yet remained to be done, for after the cars had been removed a safe distance, the engine had to be uncoupled and another race for life. The cars seemed all ablaze now, and the heat was intense, but undaunted the daring youth rushed to the couplers; without hesitation he pulled the release rod and in a few seconds was back to the throttle in the cab of the engine. She starts, faster and faster she plunges on, she seems almost to bound forward under the guiding hand of the fireman, but now for the first time he has become nervous; unconsciously he urges on the already groaning engine. He has now reached the first curve in the track, but, too late, the cars of powder have exploded. A mass of mud, earth; splintered timber and twisted iron is hurled sky-ward. The engine rocks, staggers and tries to hold to the track, but at last she sways aside and jumps headlong into the bank. <br> Minnie, who had stationed herself at the switch to avoid delay, had bravely performed her duties without any trouble, and as she saw 76 rush through the switch, she thought of the fast overland express with its eight cars of passengers which would be due in less than a quarter of an hour, a terrible disaster with loss of life was certain unless the overland could be stopped. With all speed she hastened to the station and again taking the telegraph key endeavored to stop the overland express at the station, fourteen miles below. The response to her call was quick, but the express was already on its way. Almost frantic with terror and fear she threw open the door just as the powder exploded. Minnie tried to steady herself, but the shock was so terrible that she was thrown against the desk and fell to the floor. Every window was shattered, and everything in the building was upturned and lay in a heap. Minnie soon regained herself and out into the night she started again. <br> Every man in the little town was now fighting the fire that had been continually fanned by the wind. The women and children were running about from place to place, seeking shelter and protection whenever they could find it. Even the screeming [sic] whistles of the mines could scarcely be heard above the roar and howl of the fire and wind. Thick black clouds were fast gathering overhead and rain commenced to fall very slightly when suddenly everybody was thrown into a panic at the sound of the deafening explosion. Men, women and children ran helter-skelter in every direction, almost mad from fright. <br> (To be Continued.) <br><br> |
