Smyrna times., 1872-07-03
WHOLE NO. 896
Poking Fun at a Railroad.


Mr.. Derrick Dodd writes as follows to the
Washington Capitol about the branch railroad
between Baltimore and the Capitol
But about this railroad. OF course want
it abolished, every one does. The reckles We
locity with which the trains are run between
here and Baltimore is absolutely irlghttul.
| | was delighted years ago when this road
was established, because thought we had got
rid of the old rlckety and dangerously last
stage coaches, but the speed they are beginning
to run the trains on this road is worse yet.
Now every one knows that Baltimore IS
forty miles from Washington if it is an inch,
and three days and half is plenty quick
enough for the trip, but the managers have
already reduced the schedule time to three
days and four hours, and what with making
the engine fires too hot and racing with COWS
along the road, and all that, the conductors
are even cutting that time down.
, WHY, it was only the other day, ON the
r down trip, we happened to spy old 0imm
! mule about two miles out of town. what
g should the reckless wretch of an engineer do
n but clap on full steam and race every foot OF
j., the way into the district. We didn't exactly
j pass the mule, but We caught up with him
: twice and came into the depot neck and neck,
h and which was putting the most, the mule or
;. the engine, you couldn't have told to save
d your life.
Now it was all very exciting and all that,
know, but | hadn't purchasr1 an accident
&c ticket, and | don't believe the other four pas
= sengers had either This is al wrong, Mr..
a Editor, all wrong.
~ And then on another occasion, remember,
y we came within a hairs breadth OF having
= very serious accident. The engineer had got
q ten off to snow ball a chipmonk, and the con-
or ductor was mndng young widow baby 1or
o her-the result was that the train happened to
ID get on a down grade and was started on at
10 terrific rate every bit of four miles an hour,
IN should think.
I'll We were lust half a mile abo~a the Annapo-
h. lis junction and the first thing we |new-'here
~ being no one to whistle and wake the witch
Us tender-we were turned off into the Annapolis
L. road and went down the wrong track at the
10 full speed Imagine our CONSERVATION, when
ar lust at this moment we heard the whistle, not
In, half a mile ahead of u.s. of the Annapolis
ii train.
a. ~; We were parayzed with terror. Here were
nd two trains on the same track approaching each
: :" other at the dizzy speed just mentioned. Evl-
I'd IDENTIFY our time had come In few short
,an hours the engines would meet, and then
tba destruction
rmU anr With great presence of mind minister on
,,o ,nd board organized prayer meeting. Pale but
1 calm the doomed band of passengers sat, anC
>" though with the very shadow of death upoE
them, raised their voices in parting hymn.
"Send for the baggage master" said
'out young man, with sad smile.
m why was ASKED.
ults because we are all about to pass in GU
only checks.
sub Everybody wept. From the rear platform
day we could see the miserable engineer strainin
ing every nerve to catch up, but he had tight booi
lna- on and didn't gain anything to speak Of.
1t At this moment a ray OF hope dawned upo
orn- us. | had just finished writing my will on th
work back of a visiting card, when | observed
oon young lady in the act of detaching her bustl
con Placing the artcle-which was composed
ttlng eight hundred newspapers and a hair mattra
writ under her arm, the heroine marched throug
sSI;y the car.
We We followed her anxiOusly
IN She climbed up on the tender and then ov
take the engine | was very interesting and til
nd ing to see her climbing over the wheels al
never brass things on her way to the COW catcher.
ater reminded me of country girl gettln. over
the wire fence. But never mind about that no
'yhed Let me see where | was Oh yes; on t
] con- cow-catcher. Holding on by the cross ba
with one hand, the noble maiden tied the b,
TO be tie on the sharp PROV with the other.
It get You can guess the result In the course
terms the afternoon the collision came of. Protect
hould by the hustle the engine received gen
and 4 bump and we were saved. L took up coll
ton for the woman on the spot. L alwi
take up collection on such occasOns-alwa
Ielson And what's more, | never forget to give
fleet object interested something nice out of il
e Re never. There is nothing mean about me.
hands suppose you have noticed my clothes!
do