The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-06-27
CHASED BY AN ENGINE.
a CoudRctof>s Story.
BYE. P. BUFFITT.

Pennsylvania Central from New York to
Washington on a mission as newspaper
correspondent. We had passed Balti-
more, and within an hours time would
be at our place OF destination. The con-
ductor had finished collecting the fares,
and seeing a vacant seat by my side had
dropped into it as if for little rest at
the end of tiresome days work. He
made an entry in his note book, closed it,
placed it in his breast-pocket, buttonetl
his coat, folded his arms, and then turn
ed to me with friendly remark, as if
now he felt at liberty to lay aside all Of
fetal dignity and be sociable. I was
glad to while away the time as the train
was rushing along in a darkness which
concealed all objects Of interst without,
and so I encouraged the conversation.
"You must have met with some inter-
esting experiences, and perhaps with some
great dangers, in the course Of your life"
said I, the conductors grizzly beard
showing that he might have seen a long
service
swell, perhaps the most exciting time
in nay experience was the night I was
chased by an engine-a night which thi
one reminds me of" said he, looking GU
into the darkness.
"Chased by an englne!' said I, getting
interested. How did that happen?'
SWELL" said the conductor, settling
down in the cushion and bracing his knees
against the back of the seat in front,
"many years ago was running the nj i t-
express OIL Long Island from Brooklyn to
Grecnport, distance of NIFTY miles, the
entire length Of the road. The Long
Island road was then horse affair,
having only single track, switches at
the different stations to allow trains to
IT. Get and pass. On the evening to which l
now refer I started from Brooklyn at
ten o'clock with the old Constitution,
long since broken up, but then the crack
engine of the road, with a baggage or
treight-car and three passenger cars.
The night was just as dark as pocket,
or, il any thing, perhaps little darker"
he added, as if he had accurately tested
the internal obscurity OF that useful por-
,ion of the dress.
1T must have been very dark" said I.
I'VE were the only regular train upon
the road that night, with the exception of
the Greenport express to Brooklyn, which
was to start at ten o'clock and meet us at
Lakeland station, in the middle of the
island, switching off there to allow us to
pass.
SWELL, We were perhaps six or eight
miles on our way when I stepped out on
the back platform of the rear car to see
lift was growing any lighter. We were
then going over part OF the road which
was as straight as an arrow for distance
Of four or FIVE miles. As was looking
back over this stretch saw behind us,
ut the distance Of three miles or so,
what I knew was the headlight of an en-
CINE, as it was too bright for any thing
else; for of course I did not suppose the
government had been putting up any
lighthouses along the road"
Probably not" said I.
You may be sure was little sur.
priscd,' said the conductor, ''for there
wasn't an extra train once week upon
that road, and knew that there was none
going out from Brooklyn that night. any,
how. waited for few minutes, until I
Jaw that it was really an engine coming,
and. what was more, was gaining rapidly
ON US, although we were going at our
usual rate of speed. When was salts
fed OF this fact l hurried forward, and
said to the engineer: Jake, there is train
close behind us
flake dropped his oil-can and his lower
jaw at about the same moment, and
looked to see if was crazy or Joking.
swell, let the fireman attend to matters
here, and come back and see,' said /.
I'VE hurried to the rear, and IN mo-
meRt Jake saw as we'll as myself that if
there was any joke in the matter we were
the victims OF one; and Of rather serious
one too, for the train 10 the rear had gained
on us full mile while had been for
ward. The red cinders were pouring out
OF the smoke stack as If from blast-fur
mace; the headlight threw glare along
the road, Furnishing the iron rails to our
very wheels. Close as he was upon u.s.
the engineer of the advancing train had
not given the slightest signal to vain
Us of his approach, and made no response
to our repeated whistle of alarm. He was
violating all railroad rules, and if he had
determined to secretly run us down he
Wou'd act just as he was then doing Jake
ut first seemed to be struck dumb-not so
much because he then thought of danger
AS at the cool impudeEce of the engineer
behind. Ho looked as if he would like
to throttle him. His tongue after awhile
got In working order, and he broke out,
What does that crazy fool mean2'
SO The engineer must be either crazy
or drunk said l. If he keeps on in
that wey ten minutes longer he will sure
ly be into u.s. and l signaled the fire.
man to put on more steam. What bust
ness the train has upon the road at all
tonight is what puzzles me-
I" wonder if it isn't an engine the
old man is sending down to Jamaica to
the shop for repairs?' said Jake. I saw
the Ben Franklin standing on the side
track with steam up just as we started.
From the way she overhauls us, there
can't be muclhof train behind her r.
II did not know but that Jake might
be right, for hod seen the Franklin
standing at the depot when we left. That
engine was just as fast as our own, and if
1t was without train attached, as Jake
supposed, might easily gain on US, as it
seemed to be doing. AT any rate, we
shall see when we pass Jamaica Station
whether Jake's theory is correct
thought and said to him.
"By this time the fireman, acting as
engineer, had given our engine all the
steam she would take, and We were slash
Ing along at a lively rate, 1 tell you. -
said the conductor. "Tbe good people
along the road who were out Of their
beds must have thought that q railroad
Gilpin was riding another race according
to the new style. l was angry enough to
have sent bullet at the crazy engineer
following us, and ! determined that my
first business the next day should be to