Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-18
MISCELL A n Y .
From the Report Of a Prussian Engineer.
The Crazy Engineer.

From, the Report Qt'a Prussian Engineer.
The Crazy Engineer.
Nv train left Dantzic in the morning general
" about eight o'clock but once week we had
to wait for the arrival of the steamer from Stock
holm. 1t was the morning OF the steamers ar
rival that came down from the hotel and found
that my engineer had been so seriously injured
that he could not run. A railway carriage had
run over him and broken one of his legs. l
went Immediately to the engine house to pro-
cure another engineer, for | knew there were
three or four in reserve there. but | was disap-
pointed. inquired for Westphal, but was in
formed that he had gone to Steegen to see his
mother. Gondolpho had been sent to Konis-
burg. ON the road But where was Mayne 2
He had leave of absence 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 passen-
gers would be on hand in fifteen minutes. ran
to the guards and asked them if they knew
where there was IN engineer, but they did not.
then went to the tiremen and asked them ii
any one of them felt competent to run the en-
cine to Bromberg. No one dared to attempt 1t.
The distance was nearly one hundred miles,
What was to be done2
The steamer stopped at the wharf and those
who were going on by rail came tiocking up to
the station They had eaten 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 to
the various classes of passengers, and the pas
sengers themselves seated. The train was IN
readiness in the long station house, and the en-
CINE was steaming and putting away impatiently
in the distant firing-house.
1t was past nine O'Clock.
"Comei why don't we start?" growled an old
fat Swede. who had been watching me narrow
ly for the last fifteen minutes.
And upon this there was general chorus OF
anxious inquiry, which soon settled to down
RIGHT murmuriug At this !juncture some one
touched me on the elbow. turned and saw a
stranger by my side | expected that he was
eoinc to demonstrate with me for my backward
ness. In fact, began to have strong tempta-
tions to pull off my uniform, for every anxious
eye was fixed upon the glaring badges which
marked me as the chief officer OF the train.
However, this stranger was middle-aged
man, tall and stout, with a face of great energy
and Intelligence. His eye was black and Sbril-
liant-so brilliant that could not for the life 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 black
throughout and not only set with exact mcety,
but was scrupulously clean and neat
''You want an engineer, l understand, ne
said, in low, cautious tone, at the same time
gazing quietly about him as though ne wanted
no one to hear what he said.
81 do" replied. "My train is all ready, and
we have no engineer within twenty miles OF tins
place"
90, and will run the engine tor you !"
ssHa ~ | uttered, ''are you an engineer9"
81 am, sir-one of the oldest in the country
and am now on my way to make arrangements
for a great improvement have invented for the
application of steam to locomotive. My name
is Martin Kroller. If you wish, will run as far
as Bromberg; and will show you running that
is running"
Was not fortunate2 / determined to accept
the mans offer at once, and So told him. de
received my answer with nod and smile.
went with him to the house, where we found
the iron horse in the charge of the fireman, and
all ready for the start. Kroller got upon the
platform, and followed him. had never seen
a man betray such peculiar aptness amid tile
machinery that he did. He let on the steam in an
instant, but yet with care and Judgment, and he
backed up tu the baggage carriage with the most
exact nicely. had seen enough to assure me
that he was thoroughly acquainted with the
business, and felt composed once more. gave
my engine up to new man, and then hasteneC
away to the Office. Word was passed for all the
passengers to take their seats, and afterwards
waved my hand to the engineer. There was 8
puff-a groaning OF the heavy axletrees-a trem
bling of the bulding-and the train was in mo-
ton. leaped upon the platform of the guard
carriage, and in few minutes more the station
house was far behind u.s.
In less than an hour we reached Dirsham
where we took up the passengers that had come
on the Konigsberg railway. Here went for
ward and asked Kroller how he liked the engine
He replied that he liked it very much.
''But,n he added, with a strange sparkling OF
the eye, swat until get my improvement, and
then you will see travelling BY the soul of the
Virgin Mother, sir, | could run an engine of my
construction to the moon in four and twenty
hoursl"
smiled at what thought his faint enthusi-
asm, and then went back to my station. As
soon as the Konigsberg passengers were all on
board, and their baggage-carriage attached, we
started on again.
AS soon as all matters had been attended to
connected with the new accession of passengers,
/ went lUCO lut uhN cs'V NO"h
An early train from Konigsberg had been through
two hours before reaching Bromberg, and that
was at Little Oscue, where we took on board the
western mail.
"How we go." uttered one of the guard some
fifteen minutes after we had left Drsham.
"The new engineer is trying the speed re-
piled not yet holding any fear.
But ere long began to be fearful he was run
ming little too fast The carriages began to
sway to and fro and / could hear exclamations
Of tear from the passengers.
Good heavens!" cried one of the guard com
ing in at that moment, what is the fellow do
ing? Look sir, and see how we are going"
/ looked at the window and found that we
were dashng along at speed never before
travelled on that road. Posts, fences, rocks and
trees. flew by in one undistinguished mass, and
the carriages now swayed fearfOlly. started
to my feet, and met passenger on the platform
He was oae of the chief owners of our road