The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-02-27
The Express Train.

Two or three OF us had lounged out of
the club one night, into Santley's Office,
to find out the news coming in by cable,
which the sleeping town would not hear
until the paper would be out tomorrow.
Santley was editor of the Courier. He
was scribbling away at driving speed,
his hat ON, an unlighted cigar in his
mouth.
Z" You're at it late, Ben."
Accident on a western road. Sixty
lives lost, without looking up.
We seized the long white slips which
lay coiled over the table, aud read the
dispatch.
" Tut, tut -
"InfamOus \
"Nobody to blame, of course"
" tell you the officers of road where
such an accident is possible should be
tried for murder |" cried Ferrers.
Santley showed his copy to the boy,
and lighted his cigar. 81 think you're
wrong, Ferrers. Instead of being
startled at such casualties, never travel
on a railway that 1 am not amazed at
the security of them. Just think of it.
Thousands of trains running yearly on
each, with but minute TO spare be
tween safety and destruction, the safety
of the trains depending on conductors,
telegraph clerks, brakesmen, men of
every grade of intelligence, the brains
subject to every kind of mood, disease
and temper. The engineer takes glass
of liquor; the conductor sets his watch
half minute too fast; the hagman 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-
lous |"
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 incident which occurred
on the Erie road few years ago, which
made me feel as l do in the matter
happened to be an eyewitness to the
whole affair"
what was it, Ben p
"lts rather a long story"
"No matter. Go on. You can't &c
home until your proof comes in any
how"
"No. Well, to make you understand
dOwn-nightwork, hack- writing and
pOOI pdls LOU huoW noW lhSb ~ n
wears out the machinery. The doctor
talked of diseases of the gray matter o
the brain, etc, and prescribed, instead
of medicine, absolute rest and change o
scene. l would have swallowed all thu
nostrums in a drug shop rather thar
have left the Office for a week.
"'I'll take country board and send il
editorial, said 1.
"No; you must drop Office and worl
utterly out of your life for month, a
least. Talk and think of planting pota
toes, or embroidery-anything but news
papers and politics.
"Well, obeyed. 1 started on a ped
estrian tour through Pennsylvania, stud
led oil stock in Allegheny county, an
ate sour-kraut in Berks. Finally
brought up-footsOre and bored beyOn
bearing-in Williamsport. While ther
I fell into the habit of lounging abog
the railway station, studying the col
struction of the engines. and maxim
friends with the men. The man wit
whom always fraternize most readily
the skilled mechanic. He has degrt
of common-sense a store of certain fac
which your young doctor or politician
apt to lack. Besides he is absolute
sure of his social standing ground, an
has a grave self-respect which teach
him to respect you. The profession
lad just started on his career is uneas.
not sure of his position; he tries
climb perpetually. tell you this to