The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-07-26
THE WRONG SIDE OF TIE CURVE
AN Ex.EYalNEER's STORY.

In the fall o 1851, having been detained
by business inlhe town of Cumberland, L
was at last about to start for Wheeling,
when learned bya dispatch that the road
was occupied below Harper's Ferry by
force OF rebels, and therefore no train can
pass.
This proved to be true in reference to
ordinary trains, but o special with which
was the Hon. Mr.. Pierpont and few other
hota6iH:ies, had passed before the rebels
cut the track, and was therefore approach.
ing On inquiry, | found the engineer of
the coming train had been one ofmy Own
chu'hs ere had discarded engine driving
for n more profitable business. My friend
Joe Nj was a cool, bold skilliul en-.
g'neer, and as generous as reckless ,ofdan.
ger -
AS expected, Lno sooner saw him and
stated my wish to go mp the road, than he
swore that special orgIfo special, / should
ride with him, if for nothing but to see the
fast time his engine "Widfre" could make.
Aswe dashed rapidly along and went
through Black, Oak Bottom, couple of Ill
looking fellows in citizens dress fired at tAe
engineers but doing no damage, merely
provoked laugh OF derision from him Tor
the want of craftsmanship. On arriving at
Oakland Md, we were agreeably surprised
by receiving telegram informing us q
party OF rebels were making great haste TO
reach tho railway at a point many miles
ahead Of us. Also, they seemed to know
who the special contained. and would there
fore use all endeayors TO capture or kill us.
There was but one car behind the engine
and III it was briefly discussed the question
to go or stay, while Joe was having the
tender retilled with wood and water.
MIR. Pierponts business was too urgent
TO admit of any possible delay; two or three
others concluded 10 risk the trip, and l.
we'll fits not too egotistioal to say SOL
had run risks on railways too often to back
out because there was danger ahead, while
the rest concluded to stay and trust to luck
for the opportunity of getting away.
Just as We were about TO start. the fire.
man, making misstep on the "running
board" fell to the ground with such force
az to break his arm. Joe hurriedly picked
up the poor. fellow, but time was precious
just then, so leaving him in care Of the gen
tlemen who had accompanied us, he started
directly toward me, asking me to come and
'run'' Tor MIN. as having no fireman, lie
would have more than he could do. [ told
him, however, to lcOnsider me his fireman
Tor The rest OF the trip, as he was best nc
quainted with the road, 80 without any
more ado l dotted my coat We jumped on
and away we went, past hamlets, through
wildernesses Of stunted bushes, up grade
ana down null at a speed rarely equnlled.
oof nght tram made firing an easy task for
me, and had frequent leisure to scan the
beautiful ranges OF tho Alleghanies along
winch we skirted. Joe WAS sitting as usual
win nun, WIN his LETT hand on the throttle.
lever and body half out tie side window
OF the 'can that he might better scan the
track ahead.
IL tew miles south OF the famous Cheat
river bridge ls deep gorge, With precipi-
tous rocky sides.
1, Is shaped like an hour glass. wide Mt
each emu quo tapering each way toward the
miaGle. Inc track runs for quite distance
aiohg ole sue OF the gorge. makes very
aoruPI turn across the chasm. very deep
ohe' IN straight line nearly parallel with the
track on the opposite side for three iourths
oil mile.
we were pitSning along with that peculiar.
rocking oounding cotton, 80 different from
IN nj oNNnn4