The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1859-07-27
4 Thrilling Incident.

middle OF August, 1858, the cars were very
crowded, and my companion in the same
seat found out to be a Locomotive engin-
eer, ard in the course of our conversation,
he made the remark he hoped he had run
his last trip upon locomotive. Upon max
ing bold to, ask his reason, he gave me the
following story, and since then have found
ii out 10 be strictly true -.
=. Five years since was running upon the
New York Central Railroad. My run was
from b TO R. 1t was the Lightning
Express Train, and was what its name de-
notes, for il was fast. have seen her throw
hsrlsix foot driver so es 10 be almost invisi.
BILE TO the eye But TO my story.
About half a mile from the village of B.,
there is nice little cottage, but few feet
from the track. At that time young mar
ried couple lived there. They had one
chlld, little boy about four years old, u
bright blue eyed, curly headed little chap as
you ever saw. | had taken a great deal of
interest in the little fellow and had thrown
candy and oranges TO him from the train,
and was sure to see him peeping through
the fence when my train passed.
One sunny afternoon we were behind
time and running fast we did not stop at
B., and was to make up one hour be-.
fore reaching B.. We came up at a
tremendous speed, and when sweeping
around the curve, my eye following the
track, not over two hundred feet ahead sat
the little fellow playing with kitten which
he held in his lap. AT the sound of our art
preaching he looked and laughed, capping
his little hands in high glee at the affrighted
kitten as it ran from the track. Quicker
than the lightning that blasts the tall pine
upon the mountain top, whistled down
brakes" and reversed my engine, but knew
it was impossible 10 stop. Nobly did the
old engine try 10 save hun. The awful
slraining and writhing of its iron drivers
told but too plainly of the terrific velocity
we had attained was out of the cab win.
dow and dawn on the cowcatcher in a fash
The little fellow stood STILL | motioned
him off and shouted !; his little blue eyes
opened wide with astonishment, and mer.
ry laugh was upon his lips. 1 held my
breath as we rushed upon him, made
desperate attempt 10 catch him, but missed,
and as his little body passed heard the
feeble cry of "Mo,her,n aud the forward
trucks crushed his body 10 atoms.
o, God that moment may live, sir,
20 be an old man, but the agony o. that
moment shall never forget,
The cars stopped some rods from the spot,
and ran back as soon as possible. His
mother saw the train stop, and fearful
foreboding flashed upon her at once. She
came rushing frantcally to the spot where
we stood. Never shall forget the look she
gave as she beheld her first born shape.
less mass. would have given my whole
existence TO have avoided that moment -
have seen death in all its forms upon rail-
roads; | have seen men, women and chill.
dren mangled and Killed. have seen
all this, but that little innocent boy as he
looked up in my face and killed almost in
my arm, it unnerved me, and from that day
| made solemn VOW never 10 run loco.
motive any more.
That young mother is now in the Utica
Lunaic Asylum. From the hour her boy
was killed "reason had left its throne" He
stopped and wiped the tears from his ey es,
and said, "You may think it weak in me 10
shed tears. but cannot help it," "No,"I
replied, "but think ii noble; and, sir, would
10 God every man had heart as large
as yours. | have often thought since,
how few are those who give one passing
thought TO the man of strong nerve and stout
arm, who guides them through darkness,
and storms, with the speed of the wind,
safely to their journeys end. They co not,
for moment turn their attention 10 the iron
monster that is dragging them forward with
fearful velocity to meet friends or relations
They do OF realize that The man who guides
the fiery m onster holds their precious lives
at his command and that the least neg'i.
gence upon his part would cause sorrow and
mourning liz thousand homes that are
now waiting the return of the absent loved
one.- Clevsldnd Reuiet0.