The Placer herald., 1857-01-17
The Had Engineer.
BYA GERMAN CoNDUCToR

Ny train left Dantzig in the morning
generally at eight o'clock, but once week
had to wait for the arrival Of the steamer
from Stockholm. twas on the morning
Of the steamers arrival that | came down
from my hotel, and found that the engineer
had been so seriously injured that he could
not run. One Of the railway carriages had
run over him, and broken one Of his legs.
I went Immediately to the engine house to
obtain another engineer for knew there
were three or four in reserve there-but
was disappointed. Inquired for Westfall
and was informed that he had gone to Stee-
gen to see his mother. Gondolpho had been
sent to Konigsberg, on that road. But
where was Wayne! He had leave of alb
scence for two days, and had gone no one
knew whittier.
Here was a fix. heard the putting Of
the steamer in the Neufahrwasser. and the
passengers would be on hand in fifteen min
utes | ran to the guard and asked if they
knew of an engineer, but they did not, !
then went to the fremen and asked if any
of them felt competent to run the engine to
Bromberg. Not one Of them dared to at
tempt it. The distance was nearly one hun
dred miles What was to be done?
The steamer came to her wharf, and those
who were going on by rail came tlocking to
the station. They had eaten their breakfast
on board of the boat, and all were ready for
fresh start The baggage was checked
and registerd, the tickets bought the differ
ent carriages pointed out to the various
classes Of passengers, and the passengers
themselves we're seated. The train was in
readiness in the long station house, and the
engine was steaming and putting away in the
distant firing house.
'Come-wby don't we start!' groweled
and old fat Swede, who had been watching
me narrowly for the last fifteen minutes,
And upon this there was a general chorus
of anxious inquiry which soon settled into
downright murmuring.
At this juncture some one touched me on the
elbow. | turned and saw a stranger stand
inc by my side. expected he was going
to demonstrate with me for my backward
ness. In fact | began to have strong tenn
tations to pull off my uniform, for every anX-
ious eve was fixed upon the g'aring badge
which marked me as the chief officer of the
train
However, this stranger was middle-aged
man. tall and stout, with face expressive
of great energy and intelligence. His eye
was brlliant-so brilliant that conld not,
for the sonl of me gaze steadily into IT. and
his lips, which were very thin, seemed more
like polished marble than human fesh.-
His dress was of black throughout, and not
only fitted with exact nicely, but was scru
puIously clean and neat.
You want an engineer | understands
he said in low cautious tone, at the same
time gazing quiet y about him, as though
he wanted no one else to hear what he said.
i do replied. My train is all ready
and we have no engineer within twenty mi les
of here
well. sir, am going to Bromberg-l
must go-and if you can find none other
will run the engine for YOU
'Ha' | uttered, ARE you an engineer
4 am. sir one of the oldest in the country
and am now on my way to Berlin to make
arrangements for great improvement
| have invented the application of steam to
locomotives. My name is Martin Kroller.
If von wish | will run you as far as Brom-
berg; and will show you running that Is
running
Was | not fortunate? | determined to
accept the mans offer at once, and SO
I told him. He received my answer with
nod and smile, and then proposed to &c
and get the engine. | went with him to the
house, where we found the iron horse II
charge of the fireman, and all ready tt
start
Kroler got upon the platform, and fol
lowed him had never seen man display
more peculiar aptness amid the machinery
than he. He let on the steam in an instan
but vet with care and judgement, and ht
backed up to the baggage carriage with thu
most exact nicely. | had seen enough tt
assure me that he was thoroughly acquainted
with the business, and felt composed once
more.