Litchfield enquirer., 1864-05-19

You want an engineer, understand,' sait Rhe in low, cautious tone, at the same tim, gazing quietly about him as though he wanted no one to hear what he said.
 , T do,' replied. My train is all ready ant #we have no engineer within twenty miles o Sthis place.
 Well, sir, am going to Bromberg-I mus Ego, and 1 will run the engine for you , Ha ! uttered, 'are you an engineer?' S T am, sir-one of the oldest in the country 8and am now on my way to make arrangements for an improvement I have invented for the Replication of steam to locomotive. Ny name is Martin Kroller. If you wish, I vii run as far as Bromberg; and will show yer running that is running
 Was not fortunate? 1 determined to ac- cept the mans offer at once, and so I told him He received my answer with Q nod and smile I went with him to the house where he found the iron horse in charge of the fremen, and al ready for the start. Kroller got upon the plat form, and followed him. had never seen a man betray such peculiar aptness amid the machinery that he did. He let on the steam in an instant, but yet with care and judgment land he backed up to the baggage-carriage with the utmost exact Dicety. l had seen enough Ito assure me that he was thoroughly acquaint led with the business, and 1 felt composed once more. gave my engine up to the new man and then hastened away to the office. Word was passed for all the passengers to take theiI seats, and soon afterwards 1 waved my hand to the engineer. There was a puf-a grooming j Sof the axle-trees-a trembling of the building j and the train was in motion. leaped upon the platform of the guard carriage, and in a few minutes more the station. house was far 8behind us.
 In less than half an hour we reached Dirs- ham, when we took up the passengers that had gcome on the Konigsberg railway. Here went forward and asked Kroller how he liked the engine. He replied that be liked it very much ! But he added, with strange sparkling of s.he e.-ss, wait until get my improvement asrd t2sa you will See travelling. Why, sir, 5 5a7a rua an engine of my construction to the Fl n n four and twenty hours.' smiled at what thought his faint enthu- s.iasm, and then went back to my station. When the Konigsberg passengers were all on board, and their baggag carriage attached we astarted on again.
 As soon as all matters were attended to con 3nected with the new accession of passengers, I went into the guard-carriage and sat down. 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 r uttered one oe the guard, some fifteen minutes after we had left Dirsham 'Ths new engineer is trying the speed,' l areplied, not yet having any fear. But ere long 1 began to be fearful he was running little too fast. The carriages began sto sway to and fro, and could hear exclama- Htions of fear from the passengers. Good heavens r cried ono of the guard scoming in at that moment what is that fellow Hdoing? Look, sir, and see how we are going 7 looked at the window, and found that We < awere dashing along at speed never before travelled on the road. Mile posts, fences, rocks Eand tres flew by in one undistinguished mass Sand the carriages now swayed feartully. Astarted to my feet. and met passenger on the gplatform. He was one of the chief owners ol the road, and was on his way to Berlin. He Swas pue and excited.
 Sir he grasped, is Martin Kroller on the aengine?'
 Yes told him.
 Horrors! didn't you know him 2?
 Know ? l repeated, somewhat puzzled what do you mean. He told me his name was Kroller, and that he was an engineer. We had no one to run the engine, and
 You took him!' interrupted the man Why, Sir, he is as crazy as man can be He turned his brain over a new plan for applying steam power. I saw him at the station. but did not recognize him, as was in a hurry Just now one of your passengers told me that your engineers were all gone this morning, and that you found one that was a stranger to you Then knew the man whom l had seen was Martin kroller. He had escaped from the hospital at Stettin. We must get him of somehow
 The whole fearful truth was now open to me The speed of the train was increasing every mo ment, and knew that few more miles per hour would launch us into destruction. l call : ed to the guard, and then made my way for ward as quick as possible. reached the after 5platform of the after. tender, and there stood Kroller upon the engine board, his hat and coat off, his long black hair floating wildly in the wind, his shirt unbuttoned at the throat, his sleeves rolled up, with pistol in his teeth, and thus glaring upon the fireman, who lay motion: less upon the fuel. The furnace was stuffed till the very latch of the door was red hot, and the whole engine was quivering as though it would shiver in pieces.
 Kroller Kroller cried at the top of my voice.
 The crazy engineer started and caught the pistol ID his hand. Oh how those great black eyes glared, and how ghastly and frightful the face looked
 Ha ha hav he yelled demoniacly, glar- ling upon me like reused lion.
 'They said I could not make it! But See see! See my new power! See my new en- zine! made it, and they are jealous of me made it, and when it was done they stole it from me. But have found it! For years have been wandering in search of my great en zine, and they said it was not made. But have found it I knew it this morning when saw it at Dantzic, and I was determined to have it. And I've gotit Ho ho !! ho wei re on the way to the moon, say We'll be in the moon in four-and-twenty hours Down down, villain If you move. I'll shoot you.'
 This was spoken to the poor fireman, who at that moment attempted to rise, and the fright ened man sank back again.
 Here's Little Oscue right at hand, cried ou, lone of the guard. But even as he had spoke the buildings were at hand. A sickening sen sation settled upon my heart, for I supposed that we were gone now. The houses flew by like lightning. knew that if the officers here had turned the switch as usual, We should be hurled into eternity in one fearful crash. IsaW "a flash-it was another engine-I closed my