The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1856-12-03
THE CRAZY ENGINEER.
FROM THE REPORT OF PRUssIAS CONDUCTOR

1t was on the morning of the steamers arrival
that came down from my hotel and found that
my engineer had been so seriously injured that
he could not run. One of the railway carria-
ges had run over him and broken one of his
legs. went Immediately to the engine house
to obtain another engineer, for l knew there
were three or four in the reserve there; but |
was disappointed. 7 inquired for Westphal,
and was informed that lie had gone to Steegen
to visit his mother. Gondolpho had been sent
on to Konigsburgh on that road. But where
was Mayne? He had leave Of absence for two
days, and had gone, no one knew whittier.
Here was fix. heard the putting of the
steamer in the Neufahrwasser, and the passen-
gers would be on hand in fifteen minutes.
ran to the guard and asked them if they knew
where there was an engineer. But they did
not. then went to the fremen and asked if
any one of them felt competent to run the en-
CINE to Romberg. Not one of them dare at
tempt it. The distance was nearly one hun
dred miles, What was to be done?
The steamer came to her wharf and those 60
ing on by rail soon came focking to the station.
They had taken breakfast on board the boat, and
were all ready for fresh start The baggage
was checked and registered, the tickets bought,
the different carriages pointed out to the various
classes of passengers, and all were seated. The
train was in readiness in the long station house
and the engine was steaming and putting away
! l.. Al, ~ All,
"Come, why don't we start%' growled an old
fat Swede, who had been watching me narrowly
for the last fifteen minutes.
And upon this there was general chorus of
anxious inquiry, which soon settled into down.
right murmuring. AT this juncture some one
touched me on the elbow. turned and saw a
stranger by my side. Iexpected he was going
to demonstrate with me for my backwardness.
In fact began to have strong temptations to
pull off my uniform for every anxious eye was
fixed upon the glaring badges which marked me
as the chief official of the train.
However, this stranger was middle aged
man, tall and stolt, with o face expressive ol
great energy and intelligence. His eye was so
black and brilliant that could not for the soul
of me gaze steadily into it; and his lips, which
! were very thin, seemed more like polished mar
: BILE than human flesh. His dress was Of black
throughout, and not only fitted with exact hi
Getty, but was scrupuously clean and neat.
"You want an engineer, l understand" hc
said, in low, cautious tone, at the same timc
gazing quietly about him, as though he wanted
no one else to hear what he said.
II do," replied my train isall ready and
we have no engineer within twenty miles o
here"
"Well, Sir, am going to Romberg; 1 mus
go-and if you can find none other, will rur
the engine for you"
"Ha!' uttered, 'are you an engineer"
II am Slr-one Of the oldest in the country
and ain now on my way to Berlin to make ar
, rangements for great improvement have in
vented in the application of steam to locomo
= ton Ny name is Martin Kroller. If yo
wish, will run you as far as Romberg; and
will show you running that is running"
Was not fortunate? 1 determined to &C
cept the mans offer at once, and so told him
- He received my answer with nod and smile
and then proposed to go and get the engine.
'' went with him to the house, where we found tn
d iron horse in charge of the fireman, and all rea
}. dy for the start. Kroler got upon the plattorr
and followed I had never seen a man betra
more peculiar aptness amid the machinery tha
he did. He let on the steam in an instant, bu
:, yet with care and judgment, and he backed u
ID the baggage carriage with the most exact meet.
is ! had seen enough to assure me that he wf
" thoroughly acquainted with the business, an
s I felt composed once more. gave the engin
/, up to my new man, and then fastened away
the office. Tho word was passed for all pa
: sengers to take their seats, and soon altcrwar
I waived my hand to the engineer. There WI
= "a puff, groaningo Of the heavy axletrees, tren
ling of the building and the train was in mi
ion. leaped upon the platform of the gual
= carriage, and in a few moments moro the st
ton house was left behind us.
In less than an hour we reached Dirscha
where we took up the passengers that had con
in on the Konigsburg railroad. Here | we
II forward and asked Kroller how he liked the e
gine. He replied that he liked it much.
s. "But," he added, with strange sparkling
gh. the eyes, 'wait until you get my improvement
ns and then you shall see travelling. By the 50
of the Virgin Mother, Sir, could run an e
gnc of my construction to the moon in four a
twenty hours"
~ smiled at what 7 thought his quaint enth
siasm, and then went back to my station.
~ soon as the Konigsburg passengers were all
- board and their baggage crate attached,
started on again.
III AS soon as all matters had been attended
" connected with the new accession Of passeng
| went into the guard carriage and sat doV
- train from Konigsburg had gone through t
DIX hours before, so we had but one more stopp
~ place bafore we reached Rombcrg, and that '
the Little Oscue, where we took the West
=. mail.
"How we go!'' uttered one of tho qua
some fifteen minutes after we had left Dirsch
NC "The new engineer is trying the speed,
!. returned not yet holding any fear.
But ere long began to. be fearful that he !
- running little too fast. The carriages bel
to sway to and fro, and could hear the exc
Eles fs nations Of fear from some Of the passengers
aGood heavens!" cried one Of the guaid, cC
af lew ing down, 'look, Sir, and see how we are
-- ing"