Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-03-20
POKING FUN AT A RAILROAD.

Mr.. D-Writes as follows about the
railroad between Richmond and and Pc
tersburg:
But about this railroad. OF course 1
want it abolished, every one does. The
reckless velocity with which the trains run
between here and Petersburg, is absolutely
frightfll. I was delighted years ago when
this road was established, because thought
we had got rid of the old rickety and dan
gerously fast stage coaches, but the speed
they are beginning to run the trains on this
road, is worst yet. Now, every one knows
that Petersburg is twenty-five miles from
Richmond, if it is an inch, and day and
half is plenty quick enough for the trip,
but the managers have already reduced the
schedule to one day, and with making the
engine fires too hot, ard racing with COWS
al5ng the road, and all that, the conductors
are even cutting that time down.
Why, it was only the other day, on the
home trip, we happened to spy old Jim's
mule about two miles from Manchester.
What should the reckless wretch of an en-
gineer do but to clap on full steam and race
every foot of the way into town. We
didn't exactly pass the mule, but We caught
ND with him twice, aud come to the Man
chester crossing neck and neck; and which
was putting the most, the mule or the en-
CINE, you couldn't have told to save your
life.
Now it was all exciting and all that l
know, but l hadn't purchased an accident
ticket, and l don't believe the other four
passengers had either. This is all wrong,
Mr.. Editor, all wrong.
And then on another occasion, remem-
Der, we came within hairs breadth of
having a very serious accident. The engi-
neer had gotten off to snowfall chip
munk, and the conductor was minding
young Widows baby for her the result
was that the train happened to get on
down Grade and was started off at terri
fic rate, every bit of four miles an hour, |
should think. We were jast half mile
above Chester, and the first thing we knew,
there being no one to whistle and wake up
the syitchtender, We were turned off into
the Coal-6eld road, and went down the
track at full speed. Imagine our oonster-
nation when just at this moment We heard
the whistle not half mile ahead of US, of
the up coal train. We were paralyzed with
| terror he.e were two trains on the same
track, approaching each othe-. st the Giszy
! speed lust msnGiened. Evidently our time
| had come. In few short hours the en-
| gines would meet, and then -destructio n.
With great presence Of mind, min
lister on board, organized prayer meeting.
Pale, but calm, the doomed band ofpassen-
gers sat, and though with the very shadow
Of death upon them raised their voices in
parting hymn,
"Send for the baggage MASTER" said a
young man with sad smile'
GWhy?" was asked.
"Because we are all about to pass III our
| checks"
Everybody wept. From the rear plat
form, we could see the miserable engineer,
straining every nerve to catch up, but he
had tight boots en-, and didn't gain any
thing TO speak OF.
At this moment ray of hope dawned
upon us. l had just finished writing my
will on the back of visiting card, when L
observed young lady in the act Of detach-
ing her hustle. Placing the article-which
was composed of eight hundred papers and
hair matress-under her arm, the heroine
marched through the car.
We followed her anxiOusly.
She climbed upon the tender and then
over the engine. 1t was very interesting
and thr ling, to see her climbing the wheels
and brass things on her way to the cow
catcher. 1t reminded me Of a country girl
getting over a wire fence. But never mind
about that now. Let me see where was.
Oh! yes on the COW catcher. Il lding on
by the cross bars with one hand, the noble
maiden tied the hustle on the sharp brow
with the other.
You can guess the result. IN the course
of the afternoon the collision came OH
Protected by the hustle, the engine received
a gentle bump, and we were saved. l took
mn collection for the woman on the spot.
always take up collection on such occa-
sions-always. And what's more, l never
forgetto give the object interested some
thing nice out OF it--neVer. There is moth
ing mean about me. supposed you have
noticed my clothes. They are from A
SINNERS Hartford, COnn.-Richmo no
Guide.