The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-08-06

IN1 lows to the Washington Capitol
about the branch railroad between Balti-
more and the Capitol.
But about this railroad. OF course l
want it abolished, every one does. The
reckless velocity with which the trains are
run between here and Baltimore is abso-
lutely frightful.
was delighted years ago when this road
was established, because l thought we had
got rid of the old rickety and dangerously
fast 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 a 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 con-
ductors are even cutting that time down.
Why it was only the other day, on the
down trip, we happened to spy old Simm's
should the reckless wretch of an engineer
do but clap on full steam and race every
foot of the way into the district We didn't
exactly pass the mule, but we caught up
with him twice, and came into the depot
neck and neck and which was pu fling the
most, the mule or the engine you couldn't
have told to save your life.
Now it was all very exciting and all that,
know, but l hadn't purchased an accident
ticket, and don't believe the other four
passengers had either. This is all wrong,
Mr.. Editor, all wrong.
And then on another occasion, remem-
ber, we came within a hairs breadth of
having a very serious accident. The engi-
neer had gotten off to SNOWFALL a chip
munk, and the conductor was minding a
young widows baby for her-the result
was that the train happened to get on a
down grade and was started off at terrible
should think.
We were just half mile above the An
napolis junction, and the first thing we
knew-there being no one to whistle and
wake up the switch tender--we were turn
ed off into the Annapolis road and went
down the wrong track at the full speed.
Imagine our CONSERVATION, when just at
| this moment we heard the whistle, not half
a mile ahead of us, of the Annapolis up
| train.
We were paralyzed with terror. Here
were two trains on the same track approach
ing each other at the dizzy speed just mem
| toned. Evidently our time had come =! In
few short hours the engines would meet,
and then-destruction
With great presence of mind a minister
on board organized prayer meeting. Pale
but calm the doomed band of passengers
sat, and though with the very shadows Of
death upon them, raised their voices in a
parting hymn.
"Send for the baggage-master," said a
young man, with sad smile.
"Why?" was asked.
"Because we are all about to pass in
our checks.'
Everybody wept. From the rear platform,
we could see the miserable engineer strain
ing every nerve to catch up, but he had
tight boots on and didn't gain anything to
speak of
At this moment ray Of hope dawned on
us. had just finished writing my will on
the back of visiting card, when observ-
ed young lady in the act of detaching
her hustle. Placing the article-which was
composed of eight hundred papers and a
hair mattress-under her arm, the heroine
marched through the car.
We followed her anxiously. @
She climbed up on the tender and thea
over the engine. It was very interesting
and thrilling to see her climbing over the
wheels and brass things on her way to the
cow-catcher. 1t reminded me of country
girl getting over wire fence. But never
mind about that now. Let me see where /
was. Oh yes; on the cow catcher. Hold
ing on by the cross-bars with one hand, the
noble maiden tied the hustle on the sharp
prov with the other.
You can guess the result. In the course
of the afternoon collision came off. Pro-
tected by the hustle the engine received a
gentle bump, and we were saved. i took
up collection for the woman on the spot.
/ always take up a collection on such occa-
sions--always. And what's more, never
forget to give the object interested some
thing nice out Of it--never There is moth
ing mean about me. suppose you have
! noticed my clothes? rrtel