Providence Technical High School - Review Yearbook (Providence, RI)

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48 T E C H R E V I E W when the master mechanic came hurrying over and handed him a sealed envelope. Hastily tearing it open he found a message which read as follows: B. L. E. Railroad. Office of Div. Supt. Eastern Division. Canton, Tenn. 10 28 191—. Report to me AT ONCE. J. C. Drew, Div. Supt. Allan took a last look at his lire to see if it was all right, and then hurried across the yards to the office of the division superinten- dent. Glancing at his watch, he saw that it was 7 :03, and the Gilt Edge was due to leave in thirty-seven minutes. He could think of no reason for being called on “the mat,” so it was a very nervous young man who was hustled into Mr. Drew's private office, after having told one of the clerks in the outer office that his name was Allan West. But his reception by Mr. Drew was entirely different from what he had imagined it would be. CHAPTER TWO Two brave Men Ding! Ding! A big trolley car on the Canton and Silver Falls Suburban Street Railway had stopped at Winston’s Corner to pick up a couple of passengers. Winston’s Corner is two miles from Canton's City Hall Park, and this car, due there at 6:35 P. M., was now eight min- utes late. When the conductor rang the bell to go ahead, motorman Charles Parker opened the controller wide. A sign on the dasher read “Express from Winston's Corner, so there would be no more stops to pick up passengers. Motorman Parker had before him a stretch of track a mile long, a sharp curve, and then the grade down University Hill which is a mile long; he believed he would be able to make up the eight minutes lateness. The first mile was covered in short order, and as the car approached the curve Parker closed the controller and applied the air, but somehow the brakes did not work well and the car swung around the curve and started down the hill much too fast for safety. In a second, almost, the car attained a speed of forty miles an hour. Parker saw that the air had failed, but he did not falter in the time of danger, He decided that the only thing to do was to ring the gong and put on the hand brake. But what effect will a hand brake have on a mass of forty tons moving at the rate of forty miles an hour down a steep grade on slippery rails? As soon as the passengers realised that the car was running away, several attempted to jump off, but the conductor closed the vesti- bule door and kept them inside. Women fainted and pedestrians stared open-mouthed at the rushing car. Half way down the hill conditions remained the same. All would be well if the track could be kept clear. Three- quarters of the distance was covered. Parker began to think that everything was going to end without accident. The hand brake had kept the car from gaining more speed but should anyone get in the way, the result would be fearful to think of. And then, scarcely a hundred yards ahead, Parker saw something that sent a chill to his heart. A little girl, not three years old. toddled on to the track and pointed gleefully at the approaching car. Parker did his best with the brake, but it slowed the car not a bit. The mother, who just then noticed the danger of her darling, screamed and ran to get her. At that instant a man dashed from the sidewalk and lifted the child from the rails. As he did so the front step of the car struck him and threw him to one side. The blow knocked the man unconscious, but the little girl, though badly frightened, was uninjured. The car rushed on but was easily stopped when it reached the level a few rods away. Meantime a citizen had telephoned for the ambulance which arrived quickly and took the injured man to the hospital. There it was found he had broken his leg and been severely bruised. Nothing serious, unless internal in- juries developed. His indentification card gave his name as Thomas Burton and his address as 168 Elm Avenue. The hospital authorities notified his wife at once. She telephoned to the Division Superintendent and told him of her husband’s injury and then went to the hospital. • No blame for the accident was placed on motorman Parker as it had been caused by defective equipment. Canton had reason to lx proud, for had not two of her citizens proved themselves heroes?

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T E C H R E V I E W 47 The Danger Signal CHAPTER ONE Introducing Allan West E month of October in the year 191— was a very rainy period. In the little village of Saints- bury the streets had become rivers of muddy water, and even “Nelt” Maine, who had fought in the Rebellion, said he “cal’la ted it was the powerfulest rainy time he’d seen in over forty year.” As 1 remember, on the 28th of the month the weather cleared off cold, and the change from the warm rainy days made even the toughest of the inhabitants shiver. About six o’clock in the evening of this same day, a young man about twenty-five years of age was seen walking down Hemlock Avenue toward the railroad station. As he reached the station the 6:05 accommodation for Canton was just pulling out. Without a moment’s hesitation he swung aboard the rear platform, went into the car, and dropped into one of the back scats. In a half hour he would arrive in the city of Canton, and there commence his night’s run, for this young man, Allan West by name, was fireman on the (iilt Edge Flyer, the fastest train on the B. L. E. Railroad. The Gilt Edge, known on the despatched sheet as No. 8 east, traveled between Canton and Springfield, a distance of 306 miles. It covered this distance in five hours and forty minutes, making six stops. It was scheduled to leave Canton at 7:40 P. M., due in Spring- field at 1:20 A. M. Allan had ridden in on this accommodation every other day for over two years, as head- end men on fast passenger trains work only that often. During this time he had become well acquainted with the conductor, and on these trips they often found time for a pleasant chat. As the chief topic of conversa- tion everywhere was the weather, it was only natural that the conductor should open the conversation by saying, “Think it’s cleared off for good, Allan?’’ “Well, I should hope so,” replied Allan. “We nearly ran by two red eyes night before last. It was about the worst night I ever rode on two rails.” “Yes, it was an awful night. I hear there were two or three washouts on the western division.” “I shouldn't be a bit surprised,” replied Allan. “I heard that the dam at the Millville reservoir had broken. Did you hear anything about it?” “I didn’t hear anything about it, but you mark my words: if that dam goes it will take the railroad bridge with it.” Well, I certainly hope not, said Allan, laughingly. “I’ve got to go over that bridge to-night.” “Of course it may not go at once,” ex- plained the conductor,” but it will inside of four or five hours. Just as soon as the water has had a chance to wash against those con- crete foundations a little while, the whole thing will crumble to pieces like so much mud.” “What makes you think so?” inquired Allan. I don’t think so. I know so. Why, they didn’t put in half enough cement to the cubic yard to give it any strength. It’s the plan of this road to put in cheap roadbed and cheap rolling stock and thus increase dividends. It’s what they call good business. Why, here we’re almost in the station,” he exclaimed, jumping up. “It won’t do any harm to bear in mind what I have told you,” he called back over his shoulder, and then he walked down the aisle crying, “Cantonnn! Can ton nn! Change carrrs for Chicago and wayyy sta- tion n ns.” Allan remained in his seat and rode to the roundhouse when the train was backed down. As soon as he reached the round-house he went directly to his engine, which was one of the new Pacific type, commonly known as a thirteen hundred. He looked at his fire and threw on a few shovelfuls of coal. Then he opened the forced draught valve and the in- jector. He also started the air pump. After looking around to sec if every thing was ready for the run, he sat down to wait for Tom Burton, the engineer. He had been waiting only a few minutes

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TECH RKVIEW 49 CHAPTER THREE In If huh a lire man Becomes an Engineer “Come right in, young man, said the su- perintendent. “You are Allan West, arc you not?” Y'es, sir.” You arc fireman on the (iilt Edge Flyer? “Yes, sir. “How long have ou been on that job? “A little over two years, replied Allan. “Do you know how to run a locomotive? “Mr. Burton has taken a hand at firing nearly every day and then I have held the throttle, said Allan. “Well, the fact is, Burton has broken a leg and is laid up in the hospital. 1 just heard about it a few minutes ago.” “Why, who is going to run the ‘Flyer to- night? asked Allan. “That is just what 1 want to talk to you about, continued Mr. Drew. “I haven’t been able to find a man to run the ‘Flyer to- night as yet. ‘Billy Adams has the grippe. Brown has a broken arm. West, can you run the ‘Flyer’ tonight? Allan was too surprised to answer, but after Mr. Drew repeated the question he managed to say, “Yes, sir, I think I can.” “And so do I. cried the superintendent. “If I hadn’t thought so I wouldn’t have asked you. By the way, the President’s private car is to he on the ‘Flyer’ tonight. There will be five or six big stockholders and the President on hoard and the ‘Flyer has got to live up to her record.” “Who is going to do the firing? inquired Allan. “I have sent ‘Billy’ Jackson down. I think he will be just the right fellow. He has been firing spare. It is 7:09, he said, looking at the clock. “You have thirty-one minutes. I am going down on the ‘special tonight, so I will come up and see you a minute before you leave the station. 1 think you will find every- thing ready when you get back. Good luck to you,” and he grasped Allan by the hand. As Allan left the office it seemed to him that he was walking on air. He, Allan West, a poor fireman who had never even had a switcher of his own. was to drive the (iilt Edge Flyer. But Allan was one of those who go at a thing with all their might, no matter what the task may be. and he had resolved to keep the “Flyer” up to her record. Sure enough, when Allan got back to the engine, Jackson, a fine appearing young fel- low, was already there. Gee, this is a peach of a locomotive, isn’t it? was his greeting. “You bet it is,” replied Allan, proudly. “It’s the best on the division. “M y name is ‘Billy Jackson. What is yours?” “Mine is Allan West. I’m the regular fire- man on here. “And you’re going to run the ‘Flyer’ to- night? “Well, I’m going to try to,” replied Allan. “While 1 was fixing the fire here a few min- utes ago, the Master Mechanic gave me a notice ordering me to report to the Division Superintendent. When I went over, he told me that Burton, the regular engineer, was laid up in the hospital and said that he couldn’t find a man to run the ‘Flyer’ tonight. Then he asked me if I thought I could and I said yes, so here I am.” “Billy” whistled. “Gee. you’re certainly getting along all right! he exclaimed. “Well, we’ve got to couple up now. You keep your fire the way it is now and we’ll get over the road in fine shape. Maybe you don’t know it, but we’re going to haul the Presi- dent’s ‘Special’ with a bunch of ‘big guns’ aboard. I’ll do my best, replied “Billy.” They backed up a few yards and coupled on the eight Pullmans which were used on the ‘Flyer’ regularly. At 7:22 Allan got the green eye” and ran slowly down to the sta- tion. A switching engine set the President’s car on the rear of the “Flyer.” Allan climbed down from the cab, oil-cup in hand, and looked at the train. It was only natural that his heart should thrill with pleas- ure. There stood the proud locomotive. No. 1301, the eight shiny Pullmans, and the President’s “Special with its brass-railed ob- servation platforms. And he was the engineer of this train. What mattered it to him if it was for only one night? Allan went carefully over th? engine, oiling a bearing here, tightening a nut there, trying now this valve and now that. When he had finished his inspection, he looked at his watch and saw that it was 7:34. Six minutes more. He was about to climb back in the cab when he saw Mr. Drew and a young lady hurrying toward him. “Just a minute. Allan.” cried Mr. Drew. “I want to make you acquainted with my daughter, Elsie.”