Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1869-07-22

But passengers viii ask questions
when you're waiting, and its
provoking. One day | was out
of time, and ran off on a switch
to wait for either the down train
or a telegram to come on. By
and by, pompous man comes tc
me as Twas sitting on the tence.
"'Mr. Conductor, says he,
what are we waiting for?'
For the down train--we're
out of time. There's a single
track here, and she has the right
of way
" tBut suppose the down train
is behind too"
{" Then I'll get a telegram
"But suppose they don't tele-
graph you, how long will you
waltz
"sTiU the aoheezs /, ust cfi,' said I
"He went back to the coach,
sulkily growing something a
bout having an engagement in
town at the hour the train was
due, and | afterward found out
that he was the Vice President of
the road. But he was a sensible
old fellow, though quick tempered,
and | stood better with the officers
for what | had said. He used to
poke heavy fun at me sometimes,
and recommend me to wet the
wheels and they would rust off
sooner.
"'It's astonishing how reckless
some railroad men become. / was
on side track waiting out of
time once, and a fellow comes to
me and says, why don't yon &c
on?' Cause my orders are to
stay | said rather sharply.
"'He was the new snperinten
dent, a young fellow whom | had
never seen, because he'd just come
on to the road. He was counting
a girl on the line of the road,
afterwards found out, and had al
engagement to go to a ball with
her that night, which this 1ay-over
interfered with.
$50 he says, very quickly, M
they ain't;' and when | looked
surprised, he says, I'm the super
intendent of this road, and l tel
you you've time to get over thi'
bit Of single track and have three
minutes TO spare before the dowr
train reaches it. / have calcula
ted and knoao.
(" I've got my printed orders
Mr.. Superintendent, says |, and
he broke right in
!. {" Never mind your printed or
ders, 1 order you to go ahead
well, l wouldn't, and he was
awfully mad, and swore that
shouldn't run week longer OF
that road. Probably, after he hac
cooled down he would have never
. said word about the matter, fol
he was clearly in the wrong
Three minutes is too close shave
on time when SIX or seven hun
dred peoples lives are interested
and regular printed orders are t.
. be obeyed till other regular print
ed orders are issued. But
, thought, at first, he'd complain t.
, the President, and | was bound tt
have the first talk if possible.
"The President heard my story
and sent for the superintendent
He denied that he had ordered mt
at all, or made any threats, bu
said that he had told me | had Ten
minutes to spare. So it was {
question of veracity, and | begar
to think / would be sent back t.
run my train, and that running
. train on that road wouldn't be my
business very long.
1 "All at once a gentleman WHIT
had been sitting with newspapel
held in front of his face at th'
. back of the Office, came forward
" Mr.. President said he, 9
, happened TO be. standing by these
two men when they had that talk
, The conductor is right, and th,
, other man lied. If the train hat
gone on / had made up my mine
to walk back to the last station
the chance of an accident seemed
: so great .ass
"Then the President ,oas mad
!. "Why, good heavens?' said he
/ my wife and family were on tha
, train. Mr.. Superintendent, 6
and draw your wages to the frs
: of next month, and leave the roa'
+ noaCr -Fes
"But sometimes a conductor
! Iput in such a position tha
E the rules won't guide him. The
the responsibility is very great
: / remember once being so placed
and ! thought at the time that M
: hair ought TO have turned whit
! that night with anxiety.