The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-05-23
For the Sentinel
AN INCIDENT.
By AN OBSERVER,

1t was upon the morning of the -, in
the month Of -, 1850, (precise dates
we are not particular about,) that news
had reached busy little town, a PITTS.
6tsrg sn miniature, whose ceaseIess din
of business is ever echoed by the high
surrounding mountain slopes of inex xhaust-
lhle mineral wealth, and increased bv the
boIsterous escapes of the iron stee:, ,ho:
the "Berks was to arrive, and adj, ~ ,be
industry of the already ac,;,ye c;,;1ens
Now to Demo"rats. mat cogromon DOS
seSses r-.anic charm which enervates
'''e'f spirits, as quick as it dampens the
a..uor of Wings. "Old Berks: '-"Glori-
Gus old Berks!' Berks!"
are exciamatlons not Entirely unfamiliar
TO you, my dear Mr.. Given 1t is the
stronghold of pure principles, which has
"GiUen'' the enemies of the people S
rights many quietus. But the Berks
was to arrive that day-it dad arrive; and
such hosts OF spectators as cast their curl
osity excited eyes upon that splendid
piece of power and human skrll. was
never perhaps excelIed in the whole of
inquisitive Yankeedom. There were
eyes of all sexes: stern and timid, but we
were the most observant of the latter
for there were the fascinating "iquid
hiue,' the "charming black" the "witch-
ing hazel" and-oh, dear, but we cannot
find language of description! Then The
number OF tiny feet, surpassed in beauty,
only, perhaps, by imaginary fairy symme-
try, that pressed upon the steps of that
piece of machinery bearing the immortal
ductor of that product of mans ingenuity
must be man of vastly more powers of
resistance than us--and he IS too! But
of the BERKs-though the Canal Com
mlssioners had expended eight thousand
five hundred dollars of the peoples mon
ey for what we have before termed 4
splendid piece Of machinery, there was a
universal expression of opinion that they
had arted .jndiciousiy--and who will dare
gainsay the LADIES opinions?
Well, so much for "seeing the ele-
plant" 1t was not long subsequent to
this that il fell to our lot to see this En-
CINE, this giant of iron strength, put little
TO The test. Il was npnn rather dark
night The dense clouds lhickly curtained
the armament, and the light OF nature had
N'ioo pSN'lliC CAililCl-Net tifS " % nv
preventive 10 little bit of cautious test.
tor artificial light, produced by the myri-
ad OF escaping sparks gave sufficient IL
iuminatlon. The Engineer was a miduie
aged man, stern, watchful, reflective, per-
ceptlve, and fear, while he was extremely
careful, was no part of his composition.
In fine, In the common parlance of the day
he was-and is first rate Engineer.
The BERKs, then, was attached to an ex-
traordinary long string of cars; then with
nerve and skillful hand the steam was ap-
piled, then-such deep toned "puffs mot
such as an Editor gives in white washing
some candidates. but pufs indicative of
Hercullan strength being put into exer-
else. Slowly the ponderous bulk moves
off; now faster-now still faster till they
gained the speed of ''the flying car!' On,
still on continued the BERKs! conscious of
its still greater strength and capablity TO
.measure the painting coursers speed!'
the whole surrounding atmosphere was
brightly Illuminated, the dense volume of
smoke curled and lowered 10 the Hea-
yens, while the valley and distant hills
was filed and echoed back the thunder
tones of this monster who has no ssmusce
tc weary" or "breast 10 decay" Still it
was strictly ohedient 10 the guiding touch
of this almost matchless Engineer. His
watchful eye was upon all, and though
active he was calm and composed in the
discharge of duty. This man of nerve
and skill, reader, is no more nor no less
than our excellent friend JOHN CAMPBELL.
While we will not refer to the test he was
put to when The Berks was the subject of
scrutiny by-well we will say no more
about fhat-we will just inform you that
to get a perfect idea of what we have
very indifferently described. you must see
what ,De saw-not that of aforesaid beau
ty, (there. that is out again--confound in
but the Berks in test. 1t will richly
repay you, and in the meantime the fol-
lowing may give you some idea Of its
magnitude and power. 1t is the celebrated:
SONG OF STEAM.