The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1878-07-13
OUR STORY TELLER.
JUMPING ON A TRAIN.

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 receding train as it is
leaving 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
lions and vicinity, and are not to be
infringed upon or broken with impunity,
as an American friend recently found
to his sorrow.
He CHANGED 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
ana 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; nv
wife's aboard" said the anxious Ameri-
can.
Cant help it, sir; trains in motion :;
against regulations"
But you are going" said the traveller,
as ne 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
MIN, the conductor, pushed back the
American and leaped to his place on the
step OF the guards van, or last carriage
in the train.
Quick as he was, the American was
equal to him, for with two or three
bounds, despite the cries and rush of the
porters, he leaped after the guard, chung
to him on the step of the carriage, and
both were whirled out of the station in
that manner, after which they tumbled
into the compartment of the guard
together. The official was white with
rage.
/ told you that you could not get
upon the train when it was in motion. !"
All! but you see did,"
DO you know that we both narrowly
missed being hit by that crane as the
train went out of the station?'
A miss, my good fellow, is as good
And you have broken the regula-
lions, and made me and yourself liable
to prosecution"
ooh, fudgel The company won't
take the trouble to prosecute, guess. ("
SAID the Yankee. But this time his
national guess was incorrect.
Inc train was an express, and he rode
In the guards van more than fifty miles
before another stop enabled him to re-
JON MS party in the other carriage and
continue his journey to London, during
wnicn the matter passed from his mind.
Arrived at the station in London.
our American secured four-wheeler,
selected his luggage, had it placed on the
roof OF the vehicle, bestowed wife and
party inside, and was about following.
when he was tapped on the shoulder by
a quiet, plainly dressed individual. who
remarked:
sorry to detain you, really; very
unpleasant duty; but you are wanted
on charge of assaulting the guard in
the discharge of his duty Jas the train
left bennington"
Here the official displayed a paper.
and his credentials, leaving no doubt he
was one OF those policeman in plain
clothes whom Dickens and the English
story-tellers write about.
Here was dilemma. A stranger in
London, after dark, arrested! What
should he do? He at once explained.
de was an American tourist; he was
not aware of the law. His wife and he
Doth strangers. Hadn't even been to
their hotel yet. Couldn't it be arranged
IN the mOrningT
Oh, certainly; if he would kindly
give his card the official would call At
MS hotel at eleven tomorrow"
No sooner said than done. Tho
American whipped out his card-caso,
handed over the bit of pasteboard to
the oficer, who glanced at it, nodded to
the cab-driver, who closed the door of
the vehicle, and the party were soon
rattling over The London pavements.
As they whirled along, the first view of
London by gaslight was forgotten in the
explanation OF the affair by the Ameri
can to his wife.
= But it is all over now, guess sid
ne, for although / gave the fellow INV
name, ! didn't give him any address.
and ne won't know where to come after