Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-03-24
Legend Of a BagyaEe-Smasher.

| knew him. II was years ago. His name
was-well, call it Bumps. II you ever get
into railroad struggle, where one struggles
to get another of the track, you will know
more about Bumps, or your friends will.
This Bumps was nice young man. His
hair always combed low down; he wore
brass buttons; and there was mysterious
report current that he had been known to
call on the sherry for three, on the Fourth
Of July, and had actually paid for it-paid
for il, sir. We held him in awe, We boys
did He conld talk about lever watches.
pointer dogs, steam barges, and he could
relate incidents of difficulties in prize rings
- beautifully that | used 10 wish to knock
some one in the stomach, and break some
ambitious Englishnaa's jaw-bone. II
Bumps SAID anything the whole town swore
that i, was 50. IL he didn't say any thing
we stood back and waited for developments.
At last he went away. Ills unclc used his
influence to get him position as baggage
master. / never heard Of him for years,
but | was called one day TO see him die.
went with great pleasure. Bumps was a
mere skeleton; his eyes were like saucers;
his hair was all worn of from tearing
around so in his bed. He told me all about
il. He drove everybody out of the room,
babe me string up my nerves TO hear a won-
derful tale, and then he commenced. He
went on the railroad pure oung man.
lie took charge of trunks and boxes, and
commenced by lifting them by the handles,
and setting them down carefully. He had
not served but month when the president
of the road called him into the Office, cut
down his salary, and told him if there were
any more complaints from the conductor,
Bumps would be dumped out of berth.
Then the young man grew cold and Stern.
TIe was bound to suit the railroad corpesa-
tion or die. He began by walking up to a
poor old chest belonging to an orphan, and
putting his foot through the corner. The
conductor saw the act; the two shook
hands, and they wept for hours on each
Others breasts. Bumps had no, made two
trips before he could sling satchel eleven
yards, retaining both handles in his grasp.
Innocent owners Of such things threatened
him. and commenced suit against him. and
swore they would never ride on that road
again; but Bumps was firm. lie was dig
nilied; he was solemn; he was working
for higher sphere; he was treading in the
path OF duty.
When gentle females would hang up their
tender lizzie baskets and satchels Bumps
would smile diabolical smile, and sc, in q
corner aud jump on the articles and toss
them Up and kick hem, and fling then,
through ethereal space. And when the train
stopped he would throw out waterfall and
a toothbrush in answer 10 call for check
"22.- Husbands threatened hun, and
dared him out of his den, and called him a
base fiend; but Bumps was solemn. He
knew his line OF business When he got
hold Of a nice trunk he would carry coun-
,enance like strawberry for joyfulness.
He would jerk of one handle, then another,
then kick in the ends, then take an axe AND
smash the lock, and then let the shirts and
thing. rattle out on the track. II got 50 a
las, that people actually paid high prices
for the privilege of living along the Ane ol
that road, as they got their shirts for nothing
All that was needed was to have the child
ren follow up Bumps train. But ther'
came black day. Amisersble, contempt
lible, sneaking wretch, who owned saw
mill, went travelling. He rsa His fsctoris
TIVE weeks ~ nsthias but trunk stud. an: