Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1872-09-05
ADVENTURES OF AN ENGINE
DRIVER.

do not think I ever felt prouder in
my life than l did one morning when
Job P. Slogger, our locomotive boss,''
accosted me as | was making ready the
Milwaukee to take the through
train westward.
We'll, George said he, "heard the
news? Guess not, Ell? You amt got
to run this route agin !"
turned pale, fearing had got into
some scrape; but | only said: "Why,
sir ~
Why !" he repeated, smiling at my
scared looks, "because you are put up
in Abels place. You feel kinder spry,
/ reckon p
I did not feel "kinder spry,'' for
Abel, frst-rate hand, had Just been
promoted with handsome douceur, for
gallant conduct upon a certain occa-
sion. was his companion on that
occasion and as the adventure was the
cause of my being made an engine
driver, l will. with your permission,
proceed to relate it without further
preface.
Soon after my arrival in the States l
succeede in obtaining a situation as
fireman on one of the trunk lines.
After time | became associated with
Abel Storer, who had the reputation of
p frst-class engine driver, though he
was to my taste a little too reckless;
and when /" in liquor" nothing daunted
him. From Abel l heard many tales
respecting the encounters he had had
With "white Injuns," as he denomi-
mated certain flibustering gentlemen
who had playful habit of Disgusting
themselves as native Indians, and car
rying off any specie or ammunition
contained in the wagons. AT times, in
Dc ed, believe, they did not hesitate to
con NIT the most dreadful outrages
under the guise of the war paint.
One morning, about two months after
my having been appointed fireman."
we got orders to take train down to
Landerv:lle. Abel was accordingly in
great hopes of shooting some " Injuns,"
and provided himself with a quantity
of ammunition for his six-shooter. |.
more skeptical, neglected this precau-
ton. We started, however, having a
quantity of specie in boxes, some val
liable stores, and a mixed cargo of
motions in our charge. We had re-
ceiYed instructions to shunt at Bunkum
City for a faster train of passengers,
and then (if it had not previously run
into us to assist it up the steep incline
at that place, our train being subse-
quently helped up by the other locemo-
tive. Ett
We arrived at Bunkum Siding III
safety about 5 o'clock, and hearing
nothing of the following train, replen-
ished the engine, and then proceeded
to look for some food for ourselves.
We pitched upon small store, where
we managed to procure food and some
of the most fiery stuff (miscalled wills
XVI that | ever tasted. Abel drank it
greedily, however, while devoted my
self to the food. We were on the eve
of departure as two rough looking fell
lows entered and demanded LIQUOR,
20 taking stock" of us as they swag-
gered about. Seeing that Abel was be-
coming more intoxicated, and recol.
Letting that the passenger train must
he due, attempted to remove him, but
one of the strangers, stepping forward,
requested US to "hquor up" before we
started. Abel granted drunken as
sent, and l, not daring to refuse, sat
down while the drink was being pre-
pared. During the concoction of the
"reviver," Abel kept wandering aim
lessly about, swaying recklessly against
the tables, and when the glass was at
length prepared for my acceptance, he
iurched heavily against the stranger.
Trash went the tumble upon the floor.
while amid volley of cursesI dragged
the offender from the house, and man.
aged to regain the engine unmolested.
Anticipating we should be followed.
kept AbeFs revolver in readiness. but
after time | noticed two figures nro.
ceeding in the direction OF some loo
huts which lay some little disfance
down the line upon the left. AS the
strangers disappeared over the brow of
the hill turned my attention to Abel
To my astonishncnt he responded 10
my first adjurations by saying, as he
gained a sitting posture, Darn them
eusses, have they gone right away ?''
For moment stared in speechless
surprise.
Why, I thought you were drunk"
/ cried at length.