Number 13, Westbound

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Daniel Culmer, a crusty old farmer, is constantly at war with the railroads. Marion, his niece, comes to visit him. Tom Garland, a resident of the community, falls in love with Marion, but tells Tom seriously that she can never marry him, and he leaves for the city. In his difficulties with the railroad, Uncle Daniel claims damages for the deaths of three cows. Orson Kimball, a substitute telegraph operator, laughs as he forwards this claim to headquarters. That night Kimball receives a message to hold Number 13, as the operator had failed to hold the limited at Milford and that a terrible wreck will ensue unless the train is stopped. There is only one connecting point between the scene where the wreck must occur and the telegraph messenger's office. That point is the home of Daniel Culmer. Orson rings up the Culmer home and Marion answers. He says: "For God's sake flag Number 13 before it passes your farm. Hundreds of lives are in danger." Marion, alone in the house, secures a lantern and hurries to the railroad embankment. She falls down the embankment, is rendered unconscious, but later recovers her senses, and flags the approaching passenger train. As she does so she falls unconscious on the tracks and the locomotive stops just a few feet from her. She is taken to the tower station where Orson thanks her for her bravery. In the meantime, Uncle Daniel and his wife return home from a church festival. Not finding Marion home, Uncle Daniel jumps to the conclusion that Marion has eloped with Tom Garland. He starts out in search of them after notifying the sheriff. The sheriff sees Marion and Orson Kimball together, and believes they are the eloping couple. Orson Kimball is shoved into jail, while Marion is taken to the sheriff's home. Later, Marion takes the keys from the sheriff's house, goes to the jail and there liberates Orson. Together they start toward Marion's home, but Marion says, "I'll never return to Uncle Daniel." Orson then says, "Tonight's adventure will compromise you. We must go to the city and be married." Marion agrees, for she has learned to love the operator. Before they start for the city there comes a message of congratulation from the superintendent of the railroad to Orson and to the girl who flagged the train.