The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1878-07-19
7ne Rsrrsrs Of Railroad Tr"reii"g
STANFORD, KESTUcEy, }
July 18th, 1878.


Railroads are great Institutions
entirely independent Of the solar.sys'
TEN, and yet, subject to as many
changes Is the moon. They have
gained in wealth and power until they
are almost a controlling influence in
this great American republic. They
are managed and mis-managed by
Presidents, Superintendents and Di-
rectors--many of whom, though vul.
gar fractions Of this grand republic
attain princely wealth and influence.
The conductors and ticket agents play
conspicuous parts in the daily man
sgement of trains; and one IL not
likely to forget all he sees and hear
about the depois. The American
people are hurrying, busy people,
not apt 10 "kick" IL heat out Of their
money. 50 long ss the means bears a
facisl festure Of fairness. But I'nfer
the time Of the average American and
such .'squeal" goes up as leaves no
doubt Of his Indignation. Arrive at
the depot half an hour "shead" of
train time, in order to learn something
Of the change. connections. DC, on
the rosd-you find Others already
there for the same purpose, and more
coming. But the agent has not yet
arrived-sll wait and wish until out
Of patience, then the remarks and ex.
Of the crowd cease to be
edifying. At last, within ten minutes
Of train time, he is seen coming-a
of qualification rises from the
crowd as the agent steps in-stately,
dignifed, and perfumed-with the AIR
Of eonquering hero. Poor martyr,
must serve the eager, anxious public
few minutes O-must tear himself
from the pleasant social circle q long
ten minutes, and he that wants infor.
nation as to time, changes and con-
uection Of trains cannot get it, for the
agent is too busy taking in change
and handing out tickets. You may
wait, hoping the crowd will soon he
'atis6ed and you get an answer--but
''still they come" you barely have
time to get your ticket You see the
step on the platform, and
him for the information you
fxiied to get from the agent. he is in
rlose conversation with a gushing la
iy who holds her superhuous skirts on
Dne arm while she familiarly taps him
with q fan held in the other hand; he
does not heed you at all, so "rapt' is
he, or Twill see you directly" Gan
aboard" you get on, feeling a little
uncertainty about where you are 60
ing, and when you will get there.
Ask the conductor again as you hand
him the ticket. and as he passes on,
he mutters something in an indistinct
lone. But praise the Lord! "where
there's will there's away" and there
is . way to reach him-watch for him
and as he return through the car,
beckon him aside and mOisten his
thick-bearded, nectar-loving lips with
q drsught Of old Kentucky Bourbon,
then part them with a rich Havana,
and in q very conciliatory way he will
60 down into his pockets and bring
put the slime card" and kindly in.
form you that "Ihis train does not
make connection"--you will have to
clay over" thirteen hours at Nashville
for North bound train. which North
bound train does not meet "the South.
bound train at Lebanon Junction, you
will have 10 stop over there twenty.
two hours" You catch your breath.
twenty-five hours at Lebanon June
ton! The place the good Lord turn.
ed his face from when the Railroad
approached.
Then you settle down on the cinder
bespsinkled cushion and try to become
reconciled-while you resolve that
God made the rivers, but the Devil
made the railroads, and you would
pot care q copper IL they were actual
y torn up, provided, however, that
i was done behind you. When you
reach the place where you are con.
dsmned to clay over" and hear the
approach the landlord with.
"how does the new change suit your"
"How is the bar running now?" "Full
house every night, ehi" and see him
drink from the landlords free bottle
and dine at his free table-if you
are Of a very suspecting nature, you
are likely to conclude that the con-