Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-04-10
THURSDAY EVENING. APRIL 10. 1873
PoLlpr run at a RalIroad.
From the Richmond GuIds.l

Prom the Richmond GuIde.l
Mr.. D. writes as follows about the
railroad between Richmond and Peters
burg;
But about this railroad. OF course ]
want it abolished--eyery one does. The
reckless velocity with which the trains
run between here and Petersburg is abb
solutely frightful. was delighted years
ago when this road was built, because
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 Petersburg is
twenty-five miles from Richmond il il
Is an inch, and day and half IS plenty
quick enough for the trip but the man
ayers have already reduced the schedule
to one day, and with making the engine
fires too hot, and racing with COWS along
the road, and with all that, the conduc-
tors are cutting the 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 wretch Of an engineer
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 up with him twice and came to
Manchester crossing neck and neck; and
which was putting most, the mule or the
engine, you couldn't have told to save
your life.
Now it was exciting and all that /
know, but hadn't purchased an acci-
dent ticket, and / don't believe the other
four passengers had either. This is all
wrong, Mr.. Editor, ell wrong.
Aud then, on another occasion, | re-
member, we came within hair breadth
OF having a severe accident. The en-
gineer had gotten of to SNOWFALL
ckipmunk, and the conductor was mind
ing a young widow baby for her-the
result was that the train happened to
get on down grade, and was started off
at a terrific rate, every bit of four miles
an hour, should think. We were just
mile above Chester, and the first thing we
knew, there being no one to whistle and
turned of into the Coal6eld road, and
went down the track at full speed. I'm
agine our CONSERVATION when, just at
this moment, we heard the whistle not
half a mile ahead of u.s. of the up coal
train. We we're paralyzed with terror
here were two trains on the same track,
approaching each other at the dizzy
speed just mentioned Evidently our
time had come. In few hours the
engines would meet, and then destruc-
tion
With great presence of mind min
lister on board organized prayer-meet'
ing. Pale, but calm. the doomed band
of passengers sat, and though, with the
very shadow of death upon them, lifted
up their voices in parting and solemn
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 plat
form we could see the miserable engi-
neer straining every nerve to catch up,
but he had tight boots on, and did not
gain anything to speak of.
At this moment ray Of hope dawned
upon us. Ihad just finished writing my
Will on tne DaCk Oh a NlSlLluB CdTui Wu6n
saw a young lady in the act of detach-
ing her hustle. Placing the article
which was composed of eight hundred
papers and hair mattress-under her
arm, the heroine marched boldly through
the car.
We followed her anxiously.
She climbed upon the tender, and then
over the engine. 1t was very interesting
and thrilling to see her climbing the
wheels and brass things on her way to
the COW catcher 1t reminded me of the
country girl getting over wire fence.
But never mind about that now. Let me
see where was. Oh, yes; on the cow
catcher. Holding 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 the collision came off.
Protected by the hustle, the engine re-
ceived gentle bump, and we we're
saved. l took up a collection for the
woman on the spot / always take up
collection on such occasions-always.
And what's more, never forget to give
the object interested something out Of
it-nevcr. There is nothing mean about
me