National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-06-09
An ENGINEERS STORY.
BY G.. l.. CATLIS.
From Saturday Night

bl - lee "a LIN.
From Saturday Night
"I've been thinking" said the expires
messenger, ''that our friend, Jim T
duriag hi, twelve years of running an en-
zine on this road, must have run up agains
many worse adventure than this, m,
friends. SO propose we call on him for
story, from his yn experience"
That's good idea,' answered severa
voices
Come. jim, old fellow" said the con
ductor ''give US the story of that day whel
Won came so near going head first over tn,
p Bridge, train and all. | never die
hear The whole truth of that matter"
Tie engineer looked into the fir
thoughtfully for moment, and shadow
toe over his pleasant face, as he an
swered:
well, boys, it's ten years ago since
that little affair happened, but it never
comes back to my mind without making
me shudder at the recollection Of it.
wa, running No. I, between IL and
B., at the time the road was in prime
condition, my engine had just had thor
ough overhauling. and altogether the du-
ties were pleasant and easy enough, as one
OF onr trades duties go.
"Well, one Sunday morning, | had
hacked down from the engine to the
station at II -, coupled on to my train,
and was waiting for the passengers to fin
,h their breakfasts and get aboard again
for start One by one they came hurry
ug out, and | stood on the platform by
the tender, playing with the children,
whom my wife had brought down to the
depot. as was her custom every Sunday
morning, to see me off. | was living in
IL at the time, ior that way had a
chance to pass my evenings at home, you
see was just giving my youngsters a
parting hug, and wondering why the fire
man stayed so long at his breakfast, when
all Of sudden I saw man, a stranger to
me. jump stealthily but quickly on the
engine and pull the throttle. The wheels
creaked, the train moved, the loiterers on
the platform jumped hurriedly on board.
Quick as thought | placed the child in its
mothers aims, and in another instant was
face to face with the intruder.
\ single look sufiiced to tell me that he
meant mischief. A man Of herculean stat
ure, bareheaGed and scantily attired, with
eyes elaring like Goals of fire with long hair
falling down upon his shoulders. with
sleeves rolled up above his elbows, display
Ing brawny, muscular arms, and with a
wild excited laugh upon his countenance,
was before me, pulling the bell-rope vio-
lenly, and taking apparently but little
notice of my presence. In less time than
| have been telling it, | had closed with
him.
What are you doing? Are you
clazyP cried
"lIe looked at NE for minute, with
that same devilish leer in his eye, and
pushing me back as if | were feather,
said, abstractedly:
Don't annoy me now, beg of YOU
I'm busy
81 summoned all my strength and rushed
upon hiuragain, for by this time the train
was well in motion, and the rate of speed
was momentarily increasing.
"He let go of the bell-rope, and as
seized him by the arms, grasped mine in
turn. and holding me in vice-lke grip,
looked me full in the face.
"'Didn't tel you said he, in harsh
eer voice than before, that didn't wish to
be annoyed
81 glanced into his face closely as he
spoke, and then, for the first time, the
horrible truth broke in upon me-the man
r7S @ndi
81 felt a shudder run through my veins,
and great drops of cold sweat stood out
upon my face, as in single moment | real
yea the dreadful danger before me. |
thought of my little children, whose kisses
sere yet warm upon my face, and of that
long train behind us, full of passengers so
'i'te suspecting their peril All the sto-
reS had ever heard or read, of crazy peo
PIE and their freaks, flashed through my
NINA IN that instant, as ] felt myself
pushed backward to destruction.
fut no; quietly seating me upon the
pench, on the other side, he loosened his
lo'd and returned to his post, saying, in
'ne same distracted voice as at first
There now ] don't want to be both
eredp
by this time we were dashing along at
pretty rapid rate, and could see that he
Anew how to handle the engine almost as
"'i' as ' did myself. jumped to my feet,
"ilp third time leaned forward to reacn |
the throttle lever.
.n., For Gods sake, stop herr exclaimed
Who are yon p
, Ne he answered with a quiet |
;augh 'l'm practical engineer, working |
vi the interests Of science. I've studied |
WI years' and years, and years, and now
@al' to make an experiment Don't in
terrupt men
lie gave me another look, full of wild
termination, te and then burst into fit of
hilarious laughter.
= rood good good p he cried. But |
Sou Ne IL DO better, better, better, by-and-by
lie gave the throttle lever another
IN The engine shot away faster than
b.s' and trees, telegraph poles, fences and
"ouTes went by like lightning.
ror moment, sunk down upon my
ID utter despair. To measure strength