Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1852-09-22
FIRST TRIP ON A RAILROAD.

We have often thought says the narrator,
that to person who saw a train Of cars in
motion for the first time, the sight must be
most miraculous and astounding. AS Jack
Downing once said, "'twas so queer to see
hull lot Of wagins chuck full of people and
things goin' off at that ere speed, and. no
hos to draw 'em,"
A genius of the sort referred to; lately
made his eSpcrimentaltrip.. lie was green
horn, genuine backwoodsman, who feared
nothing in the shape of man or beast, but
anything that he could not understand puz.
zled him even more than:it did, perhaps, the
ordinary run of his fellows. Well, he came
to Gainesville, a short time since, for the
purpose of taking his first Railroad trip.
He'd hearn tell Of 'em, but didn't believe,
said he, half the nonsense folks said about
'em. When the cars arrived at the place,
our hero was there patiently waiting, and
Thucli excited and clated in anticipating his
Intended ride. As the cars approached, he
stood gazing with wonder and awe, at the
engine, putting and smoking Following the
example Of the others, as soon AS the cars
stopped he hurried aboard, with his saddle
bags on his arms, and seated himself near
window. Then looking round at the pas.
sengers, manifeStly much surprised, he put
His head out the window to see tho "critter
start" While in this position, watching
with much anxiety, the whistle sounded.
Our hero much surprised and evidently lit
tie alarmed, drew back his head with u mo.
ton that might be called a jerk, and turning
to gentleman sitting near him, said:
well stranger, did YOU ever hear such a
snort as that"
The esgine?" suggested the other.
"Well;l don'tHnow whatitis, but-hollo
how she gocs!"
Guess you are not acquainted with rail-
road travelling"
"iIang it, no! haint they run away
Creation how it jerks"
"lt's all safe enough, you may rely, the
ears are starting"
That's all; well stranger aint afeard,
vou know, but kinder surprised like, that's
ALL" said the mountain boy, half ashamed.
Il golly stranger, did you hear that ere
snort, it beats dads jackass, and he's roar.
or 10 mistake. Whcw, how it does puff,
something busting I'm sure"
20 fudge, it's all right" said the other,
settling himself for a nap
Il swow! don't see how you eau slecp,
darned ef do?"
Nothing like getting used to it" said the
other. "You'vc heard of the cells, that had
been skinned so many times they rather
liked it, and used to come ashore every few
days to get their hide taken of, haven't you7"
You're gassin stranger"
The bell rang, the engine moved of, away
went the cars at a rapid speed, and before
our hero had recovered from the shock which
the "snort" produced, the cars were going
slowly over Etowah Bridge. Discovering
4 change in its gait, he popped his head out
q. slse'window again, "to see how it moved"
saw that he was some distance from the
earth, and supposiug the "citter" was flying,
swooned and fell from his seat speechless.
Several gentlemen sitting near, caught hold
Of him, raised him up, shook him and rub
bed him until he revived little. A hearty
laugh rang through the cars, as the cause of
the scene was explained to the passengers,
which had the effect Of arousing him to con.
sciousness, or at least to do partially SO, for
his breath began to come and go more regu.
larly, and at last he opened his eyes, as large
as saucers, and seeing several of the gentle
men, who had just come to his assistance
about him, he looked up most beseechingly
in the face of one Of them and said:
Stranger, has it lit!"