Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1874-03-12
A WONDERFUL RIDE.
A Boy Straddles a Truck OF Car from
ST. Louis to Louisville.

louisville Courier-Joarnal, February u
The night train lett 81. Louis tor this
city Thursday night, about O'Clock,
With n good load Of passengers, who
were comfortable and warm In the
sleeping coaches, although the AIR
without was rather cool and chilly.
Before the train started, n lad between
10 aud IL years of age stole softly un-
der ono Of the sleeping coaches, strad-
died himself across truck about iiyc
inches wide, aud lying on his stomach,
his hands clutching n cold iron bar
above for support. and Ills feet cntan-
rl.d In n chain below, he prepared
himself for an all night free ride over
more than 300 miles OF road. Did he
think that any moment he could DO
jostied OH his Insecure hiding place
aud perhaps left In some unlnhabited
portion OF the country, through which
the train passed. alone To die? Did he
consider that sleep might overcome
him while on his perilous trip aud
death ensuc, or that numoness might
creep over him. aud his hands thus tall
him rs n support? Doubtless net he
WAS only thinking probably OF reach.
Ing his destination, which was Ills
home. and which he had but lately left.
The train moved OH. the boy clutched
the Iron bar tighter, aud hugged his
support more closely. on -hot the
train, the iron horse scrccching Its
louLest faster, until its speed at times
reached mile n minute, but still the
boy, only about two feet from the
ground. kept fast hold, never closing
III, eyes for minute. What thoughts
must bave flashed through hls mind,
Young as he was. Minutes msst have
seemed hours. aud hours weeks. But
the night at last was done; the first
streaks OF dawn Illuminated the hori-
ron, aud when the train reached Otis-
co, Ind, about twenty miles from JEFF
fersonville, the boy was still safe and
sound.
The glorious god Of day had thrown
its gladening light upon his eyes.
Some OF tho chains OF the brakes had
become broken, and In repairing them,
the men found. to their astonishment,
the boy still lying there, unconcerned
aud even laughing. lls was taken oil
Sy the conductor stlf aud cold, aud
covered with dust from head to foot.th
conductor questioned him aS TO how
he attempted such ride. lie replied
that he lived In Jeiiersonvlllc, and
that short tlmo ago lie went TO 81.
Louis with an elder brother, who ran
away 10 California. leaving him Ia 4
large city alone, aud with no money.
That wishing to get home he under
took this novel method; and, said he,
81 didn't mind IL much. except Tor
the dust" The conductor said that as
he had ridden thus far free, hc might |
take the best scat inside the cars and
ride the rest Of the way at the same
cost.
On the back Of his coat were little
rents which had been made during the
night, by tho slight pressure OF the car
on Ills back. Expressions OF sympa-
thy were rendered by tho passengers
as soon as they heard Of hl, perilous
jsurney. many OF them saying they
would have been willing 10 have paid
his passage had they known sf his
rockies determination. IL was Indeed
a wonderful ride. aud betokened an
extraordinary courage oil the part OF
the boy.