The daily gazette., 1878-08-16
JUMPING ON A TRAIN.

| "Catching train" in England is very
different affair from catching it in this
country, for there 1t signifies the individ-
ual has sufficient time to enter the rail-
way carriage before the guard closed 'he
doors and gives the signal to start. After
that, no matter who arrives, he is too
late.
In America, however if by dint of
smart run the belated passenger is ena-
bled to reach the hand-rail of the last
car of the rapidly receding train, as 1t is
leaving station, and is hauled on board
minus his hat or part of a coat, perhaps
helped by railway bagage-masters to
"catch the train," he is congratulated by
the conductor on '.est savin' it," instead
Of being fined and reprimanded for risk
ing his life, Indeed, the average Amer
lean SO thoroughly believes in taking the
responsibility, that he resents the erec-
tion of gates, separating the track from
the waiting rooms, or any interference
with his getting on or off train in mo
tion, with the idea, perhaps, that no per-
son 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 offmov-
ing trains in England are very strict and
also in guarding the track at the sta
ton and vicinity, and are not to be in
fringed upon or broken with impunity as
all American friend recently found to his
sorrow.
He CHANGED to be on train going TO
London, and had written to have his bag
gage sent to certain point to meet him,
to be put on 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 few moments
he left the railway carriage, put his fam
/. lily on board, and sought for his luggage
to place on the train but in vain. Mean
. while the time for starting arrived, ye
J. still he tarried, thinking to jump on thu
last moment, American fashion, anC
started to do so, but was restrained by al
= official.
"But must 90 on this train; my wife
aboard" said the anxious American.
"Can't help it, sir; trains in motion
against regulations"
b "But you are going," said the traveller
h. as he marked the long train gradual
moving, car after car, past them, and tn
official preparing to take his place.
70 "Certainly; | am the guard-last ma
le on. take the van. Stand back"
So saying, the guard or as we will ca
him, the conductor, pushed back tn
American and leaped to his place on til
top of the guards van, or last carriagg i
the train.
II Quick as he was the American wa
I equal to him, for with two or thre
bounds, despite the cries and rush of til
porters, he leaped after the guard, clun
to him on the step of the carriage an
both were whirled out of the station il
that manner, after which tumbled inl
the compartments of the guard togethe
he official was white with rage.
81 told you that you could not get u
on the train when it was in notion"
"Ah! but you see did"
Id '.Do you know that we both narrowl
missed being hit by that crane as I'll
train went out station?'
"a miss, my good fellow, is as good
mile"
Sand you have broken the regulation
and made and yourself liable to prosec
tion."
SO, fudge! The company won't TAX
the trouble to prosecute, guess sal
the Yankee. But this time his nationi
guess was incorrect.
The train was an express, and he rod
in the guards van more than fifty mile
before another stop enabled him to n
join his party in the other carriage an
continue his journey TO London, durii
which the matter passed from his mln'
Arrived at the station in London, oil
American secured four-wheeler, selec
= ed his luggage, had placed on the ro
of. the vehicle, bestowed wife and par
. inside, and was about following, wht
he was tapped on the shoulder by qui
plainly dressed individual, who remar
ed:
"Sorry to detain you, really; very Il
, pleasant duty; but you are wanted ON
. charge of assaulting the guard in the di
charge of his duty as the train left Leal
ington."
Here the official displayed apaper, Al
his credentials having no doubt that
re was one of those 'policemen in pla
clothes" whom Dickens and the EnSll
storytellers write about.
10 Here was dilemma. a stranger
London, after dark, arrested. What shou
- he do? lie at once explained. lie was
American tourist; he was not aware
- the law. His wife and he both strange
= Hadn't even been to their hotol y
Couldn't it be arranged in the mornlll
"Oh, certainly, if he would kindly q
his card,n the official would call at
lhotel at eleven tomorrow.
No sooner said than done The Anne
n can whipped out his card-case, hand
over the bit of paste board to the ofhc'
~ who glanced at 1t, nodded 10 the c
driver. who closed the door ofthe vehl'
and the party were soon rattling over !
London pavements. As they whirl
along the first view Of London by gasi 2
:, was forgotten in the explanation OF
u AFFAIR by the American to his wife;
"But it is all over now, guess, 81
he. "for although gave the fellow
name didn't give him my address, a
he won't know where to come al
LCs ALL" ....,-o,, o,,,oss
second thought might have inforn
- him that the number of every cap aun
ted IN the railway station was know
that he had given the direction 10
PAW driver before being accosted by she
~ l -. hut lattar had 0DtalI