Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-12-15
YANKEE IN A COAL sCREFN

In order 70 load the coal boats on the Lehigh
Canal, short but steep inclined plane OF
about one hundred and fifty feet in length, Is
made at the chute which runs from a station
on the side ofthe mountain, b large circular
revolving screen, which has three large cham
bers, through which coal of as many sizes is
shot, by scuppers, into Just as many boats
waiting for different descriptions Ofthe article
few months since, a Yankee, quite inqu
ave, but more verdant than a Yankee should
oe, gained the station house, and gazed with
wonder at the cOntriN ances He particularly
admired the swiftness with which the landed
Car descended and emptied it's load, and the
velocity with which it returned to give place
to another.
Shortly his attention was attracted by seeing
laborer mount one If the full cara about tO
make the descent.
Going to slide ?" inquired be.
Yes; going to chute won't you go2"
you do it''
The car swiftly descended, aud ere IL reached
the hopper, the passenger jumped off safely
DO you do that often 20 inquired ne Of one
of the laborers in the station house.
Oh, yes, continually" was the waggish an
swer. "HOu know most all the boatlnen are
single men, and as they have orders for family
coal, we always send down a married man
with every car of that kind, and to let them
know"
Wall, now, du tell" uttered the eastern
man.
The more the Yankee looked at the appara-
tus the more did he become convinced that il
would be great thing TO 90 down the steep IN
that way, something that he could tell ~
hum"
Plucking up courage, he approached the
That beats sliding down hill, don't ?'
@ 'spose it does"
You couldn't let a feller 60 down, eould
you 20
Why, do You think you could jump of in
time'
"Oh, yes, I'm reckonod considerable Of a
Jumper-jumping does me good. L once jump
ed off a haymOw thirty feet high, and it made
me 50 supple that am given in to ID the best
dancer in the hull township"
"Well, get on, and take care of Yourself"
Suddenly, the car moved of, and our friend
found the speed SO fearful, and the declivity
so great that he was forced to stoop down AMI
grasp the side of the vehicle for support Til,
place where the laborcr had leaped OF W.
reached, but the Yankee was not in position
to jump, he had to hold on; and running down
descent three times as steep as that which hc
had come, sudden clink shot the bolt, and
with a violent force, out went the contents
Yankee included, iLto the hopper.
Murder! get out stop the consarn'" ;"
shouted our hero, as he felt himself sliding
| down the hopper to the cylinder. Murder,
| stop the cOnsarni I'll be killed. But the
| motive power Of the "consarn' was water,
which had no sympathy with those who pursue
knowledge under difficulties and those who
saw were too distant, and too much convulscd
with laughter to yield assistance. Into the
screen he slid, landing on the top, and as he
felt himself revolving with the coal, he grasp
ed the wires in desperation, to prevent himself
from being rolled to the bottom. Around the
wheel he went, and our friends sensibiIitiss
were touched up by plentiful shower of tie
coal dust, riddled through from all the cham
bcrs.
He managed TO get one eye open, and saw
| with delight that the cylinder was only shodt
| fifteen feet in length, and he forced his way
| forward to the opening vita desperation, hu-
was not altogether successful; another reTolG-
tioR OF the wheel had yet to be borne, and the
| next he reached the bottom, he was shot GU
| Of the scupper into the boat beneath. To ia
/ screams % laughter with which ais advent w.
hailed, our hero said not a word but Eetliu-
| out an old handkerchief, rubbed the dust on
OF his eyes, and surveying his torn apparel and
bruised, battered, scratched and cut limb, Ac
''raiSed his vein, to know at what quality -
| GRthractte ho had been delivered-w5ea,
| smashing his remnant of hat over his eyes.
| he stumped of, muttering broken a4k
l screened, by thunder"