Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-06-27
THE CRAZY ENGINEER.

NY train left Danzig in the morn
ing, generally at eight o'clock, but
once week we had to wait for the ar
rival of the steamer from Stockholm.
1t was on the morning of the steamers
arrival that | came down from my no.
tel and found that my engineer had
been so seriously injured that he could
not run. One of the railway carriages
had run over him and broken one of
his legs. l went Immediately to the
engine house to obtain another en-
gineer, for | knew there were three or
four in reserves; but was lisappoint-
ed. | inquired for WeStphal. and was
informed that he had gone to Steegen
to see his mother. Gondolpho had
been sent on to Konigsberg on that
had leave of absence for two days,
and had gone, no one knew whittier.
Here was Il fix. l heard the putting
of the steamer in the Newtahrwasser,
and the passengers would be on hand
in fifteen minutes | ran to the guard
and asked them if they knew where
there was an engineer. But they did
not. | then went to the firemen, and
asked if any one of them felt compe-
tent to run the engine to Bromberg.
Not one OF them dared attempt it.
The distance was nearly one hundred
miles. What was to be done?
The steamer came to her wharf, and
those who We're going on by rail came
l0cking to the station. They had eaten
breakfast on board the boat, and were
all ready for a fresh start. The bag
gage WAS checked and registered; the
tickets bought; the different carriages
pointed ont to the various classes of
passengers, and the passengers them
selves seated. The train was in readi-
ness in the long station house, and the
engine was steaming and putting away
impatiently in the distant firing house.
II was past nine O'Clock.
Come why don't we start p
growled an old fat Swede. who had
been watching me narrowly for the
last fifteen minutes.
And upon this there was general
chorus of anxious inquiry, which soon
settled into downright murmurlng.
AT this juncture some one touched
me on the elbow. | turned and saw a
stranger standing by my side. | ex-
pected he was going to demonstrate
with me for my backwardness. In
fact, | began to have strong tempta-
tons to pull off my uniform. for
every anxious eye was fixed upon the
glazing badges which marked me as
the chief official of the train.
However-this stranger was mid
dle-aged man, tall and stout, with q
lace expressive of great energy and IN
lelllgence. His eye was black and
brIlllant-so brilliant that | could not
for the soul of me, gaze steadily into
1t; and his lips, which were very thin
seemed more like polished marble than
like human flesh. His dress was OF
black throughout, and not only fittec
with exact nicely, but was scrupuious
Iy neat and clean.
GU want an engineer, | under
> stand, he said, in low, caution:
tone, at the same time gazing quietly
about him, as though he wanted no ont
else to hear what he said.
" DO, | replied. My train is al
ready, and we have no engineer within
twenty miles Of here"
81" Well, sir, | am going to Bromber!
i must go-and if you can find non,
other ! will run the engine for YOU.
Ha'' ! uttered, "are you an engi
necr:"
&" am, sir-one of the oldest in tn,
country; and | am now on my way t,
Berlin to make arrangements for
great improvement have invented il
the application of steam to locomotion
My name is Martin kroller. If yo,
wish | will run you as far as Brom
oerg, and | Will show you runnin;
That is running"