The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1878-08-13
A RAILROAD STORY.


Office, to find out the news coming in by
cable, which the sleeping town would
not hear until the paper would be out to-
morrow. Santley was editor of the
Courier. He was scribbling away at
driving speed, his hat on, an unlighted
-sagar In his mouth.
d" You're at it late, Ben"
Accident on Western road. Sixty
Wives tost," without looking up.
We seized the long white slips which
lay coiled over the table and read the
dispatch.
NTut, tutl'
81 Infamous !"
" No body to blame, of course"
~ te5l you the officers of the road
where such an accident is possible
shoull be tried for murder - cried Fer
arers.
Santley showed his copy to the boy
and lighted his segar. / think you're
wrong, Ferrers. Instead of being
startled at such casualties, i never travel
on railway that am not amazed at
Thousands of trains running yearly on
each, with but a minute to spare be-
tween safety and destruction, the safety
of these depending on conductors, tele-
graph clerks, brakesmen, men of every
grade of intellect, their brains subject to
every kind of moods and disease and
tenpers; the engineer takes glass of
liquor; the conductor sets his watch half
"a minute too fast; the flagman falls
asleep, and the train is dashed into ruin.
1t Is not the accident that is to be Won
dered at; it is the escape that is miracu-
aous !"
We had all dropped into seats by this
time. The night was young, and one
after another told some story of adven-
ture or danger. Presently Santley said:
"There was an accident which occur
red on the Philadelphia and Erie road, a
few years ago, which made me feel as
do in the matter. happened to be an
eye. witness to the whole affair"
What was it, Ben ?''
Its rather long story"
'.' No matter. Go on. You can't go
home until your proof comes in, any
how.'
'' No. Well to make you understand,
about five years ago | had bad break
down - night work, hack-writing and
poor pay. You know how fast it all
wears out the machine. The doctor
talked of diseases of the gray matter of
the brain, ETC., and prescribed, instead of
medicine, absolute rest and change of
scene. would have swallowed all the
nostrums in drug-shop rather than
have left the office for week.
:" III take country board and send in
my editorials 1 said.
"No; you must drop office and work
utterly out of your life for month at
least. Talk and think of planting pota-
toes, or embroidery anything but news
papers and politics."
Well, obeyed 1 started on pedes-
Grian tour through Pennsylvania, stud
led oil stock in Allegheny county, and
ate sauerkraut in Berks. Finally L
brought up-footstore and bored beyond
beaFing-in Williamsport. While there,
L fell into the habit of lounging about
the railway station, studying the con-
struction of the engines, and making
friends with the men. The man with
whom always fraternize most readily
is the skilled mechanic. He has de-
gree of common sense-a store of certain
facts which your young doctor or poll
tician is apt to lack. Besides, he is alb
ssoIutely sure of his standing ground and
has grave self-respect which teaches
him to respect you. The professional
lad just started on his career is uneasy,
not sure of his position he tries to
climb perpetually. tell you this to ex-
plain my intimacy with many of the of
iicials of the road, especially with an en-
gineer named Blakely.
This man attracted me first by his
ability to give me the information 1
wanted in few direct, sharp words
Like most reticent men, he knew the
weight and value of words. L soon be-
came personally much interested in him.
He was about forty, his hair streaked
with gray, with grave, worn face,
which hinted at youth of hardships
and much suffering. However, Blake
Iy bad found his way to the uplands at
last Three years before he had married
a bright, cheerful woman. They had
one child-a boy. He had work and
GOOD wages. and was. I found. hiph in