The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-07-04
OUR STORY TELLER.
JUMPING ON A TRAIN.

Catching train" in England is a
very different affair from catching it in
this country, for there it signifies the
individual has sufficient time to enter
the railway carriage before the guard
closes the doors and gives the signal to
start. After that, no matter who arrives,
he is too late.
In America, however, if by dint of a
smart run the belated passenger is en-
abled to reach the hand-rail of the last
car of the rapidly recediDg train as it is
leaving a station, and is hauled ON board
minus his hat or part of a coat, perhaps
helped by railway baggage. masters to
"catch the train," he is congratulated
by the conductor on Jest savin' it,"
instead of being fined and reprimanded
for risking his life. Indeed, the average
American so thoroughly believes in
taking the responsibility, that he resents
the erection of gates, separating the
track from the waiting-rooms, or any
interference with his getting on or off a
train in motion, with the idea, perhaps,
that no person in this land OF liberty
has any right to restrain him even from
putting his life in jeopardy if he himself
elects so to do.
The laws against getting on or off
moving trains in England are very strict,
also in guarding the tracks at the sta
tions and vicinity, and are not to be
infringed upon or broken with impunity,
as an American friend recently found
TO his sorrow.
He chanced to be on a train going to
London, and had written to have his lug
gage sent from certain point to meet
him, TO be put on board the train at an
intermediate station, where also his wife
and son were to get on. Arrived at the
latter place, where the train stopped a
few moments, he left the railway car
riage, put his family on board, and
sought for his luggage to place on the
train; but in vain. Meanwhile the
time for starting arrived, yet still he
tarried, thinking to Jump on at the last
moment, American fashion, and started
to do so, but was restrained by an official.
"But / must go on this train; my
wife's aboard" said the anxious Ameri,
can.
Cant help it, sir; trains in motion
against regulations"
But you are going," said the traveller
az he marked the long train gradually
moving, car after car past them, and
the official preparing to take his place.
Certainly; Pm the guard-last man
on. take the van. Stand backp'
So saying, the guard, or as we call
him, the conductor, pushed back the
American and leaped to his place on the
step Of the guards van, or last carriage
in the train.
nn,ob oo he sr,oa 41o ,,-o,
equal to him, for with two or thre,
bounds, despite the cries and rush of th'
porters, he leaped after the guard, cluns
to him on the step of the carriage, ant
both were whirled out of the station il
that manner, after which they tumblet
into the compartment of the guar
together. The official was white witt
rage.
:" 1 told you that you could not ge
upon the train when it was in motion.
"Ahl but you see did"
"Do you know that we both narrowl
missed being hit by that crane as tn
train went out of the stationF'
=" A miss, my good fellow, is as goo
as mile" rr-s~.
"And you have broken the regul,
tions, and made me and yourself liabl
to prosecution"
"Oh, fudgel The company won
take the trouble to prosecute, / guess,
said the Yankee. But this time b
national guess was incorrect.
The train was an express, and he rod
in the guards van more than fifty mil,
before another step enabled him to r
join his party in the other carriage an
continue his journey to London, durir
which the matter passed from his min,
Arrived at the station in Londo
our American secured four-wheele
selected his luggage, had it placed on Il
roof of the vehicle, bestowed wife ar
party inside, and was about followin
when he was tapped on the shoulder
aquiet, plainly dressed individual, wi
remarked:
Sorry to detain you, really; We
unpleasant duty; but you are want,
on a charge of assaulting the guard
the discharge of his duty las the ira
left Leamington."
Here the official displayed a pape
and his credentials, leaving no doubt
was one of those policeman in pla
clothes" whom Dickens and the Engli
story-tellers write about. lsE
Here was dilemma. A stranger
London, after dark, arrested! WI
should he do? He at once explaine
He was an American tourist; he "
not aware of the law. His wife and
both strangers. Hadn't even been
their hotel yet. Couldn't it be arrang
in the morningT .-s
ooh, certainly; if he would kline
give his card the official would call
his hotel at eleven tomorrow :. !
No sooner said than done. 7
handed over the bit of pasteboard
the officer, who glanced at it, nodded
the cab-driver, who closed the door
the vehicle, and the party were sc
rattling over the London payemeI
As they whirled along, the first view
London by gaslight was forgotten ir
explanation Of the affair by the Amt
can TO his wife.
-" But it is all over now, guess" $
he, for although gave the fellow
name, didn't give him any addr,
and he won't know where to come al
ALL"
Here again was mistaken guess,
asecond thought might have inform
him that the number of every cab
mitted in the railway station was know
that he had given his direction to
driver before being accosted by
officer, and thereby the latter had
tanned his address; and that, if the c
had been of sufficient Importance,
cab could easily have been followed
another, even if the driver had not b
instructed to notify the officer where
left his fare.
However, our tourist, feeling Sol
what uneasy, related the affair to
English friend, whom he met on arri