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Updated: May 10, 2025
As soon as this became known, a danger light was hung at either end of the structure, and then we started running backward to Smalleyville. "How long will this delay us?" I asked of the conductor as he came through, explaining matters. "I can't tell. Perhaps only a few hours, perhaps more. It depends on how soon the wrecking gang arrive on the spot.
As soon as they get there, they will go right to work, and it won't take them long to fix matters up." Smalleyville proved to be a small town of not over five hundred inhabitants. There was quite an excitement around the depot when the train came in, and despatches were sent in various directions. Presently a shower came up, and this drove the passengers to the cars and the station.
The strong headlight had revealed the state of affairs to the engineer, and he had stopped within five feet of the obstruction. Had he run on, it is impossible to calculate what amount of damage might have been done. "Don't see what we are going to do, except to run back to Smalleyville," said the engineer, who was in consultation with the conductor.
How was the thing to be accomplished? Walking out on the covered platform, out of sight of the man who was following me, I tried to solve the problem. Smalleyville was a good ten miles from the misplaced bridge, and in a soaking rain such a distance was too far to walk. Perhaps I might get a carriage to take me to the spot.
"No; just come all the way from Chicago," was the reply. "Had to bring two men down that wanted to get to Smalleyville." This was interesting news. Perhaps I could get the man to take me back with him. Of course he would take me if I hired him in the regular way, but if I did this, I was certain he would charge me a small fortune. "I am going to Chicago," I said. "I just came from Smalleyville."
I will not deny that I was considerably taken aback by my unexpected meeting with the man who had been following me. I had been firmly under the impression that he was still lolling around Smalleyville, waiting for a chance to continue his journey. But if I was surprised, so was Mr. Allen Price.
As I did so, I saw a stream of people issue from the depot. Some of them looked familiar. Was it possible that the train from Smalleyville had managed to come through, after all? It certainly looked like it. I was not kept long in doubt. I crossed over to make sure, and an instant later found myself face to face with Allen Price!
Every indication showed that he had not missed me at my departure, and that he was under the belief that I had been left behind. He stopped short and gazed at me in blank astonishment. "Why why where did you come from?" he stammered. "From Smalleyville," I returned as coolly as I could. "And that's where you came from, too," I added.
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