Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-26
CONDUCTOR REMINISCENCl

A CONDUCTORS "REMINISCENCES -
ayes, SIR" continued the conductor, we
railroad men have some funny adventures
with the tramping fraternity. Nearly all
Of those who beat their way have money,
and prefer to take the risk incident to Steal
ing a ride than to pay their fare. In an
accident some years ago beat was killed
who had on his person over $500 and
papers showing him to be the proprietor
Of a livery stable in Califordia. 1t is
| remarkable how persistent some can be.
Six of them secreted themselves in the
water tank of dead engine that was
being hauled in the middle of freight
train, and when discovered refused to
come out, and told the conductor they
would like to see him crawl in there and
put them out. A better plan suggested
itself, that of pulling the engine up to the
tank and drowning them out. They capit-
ulated, when about six inches of ice cold
water had been soused on them, and all
came out like drowned rats, with the
exception of big Irishman, who could
not force himself through the hole until he
had removed his clothing and the engineer
had fabricated him with black oil.
| The engineers on western division were
| Dtlltu ~ DOW blICil CuS lhCo oul duilC
frequently, owing to the bad water. This
is done by opening II cock that lets the
water and steam out directly under the
cab. While one of the express trains was
rushing along in the night, the engineer
| found it necessary to blow her OUT and
opening the cock, most unearthly scream
| went up from under his feet. Jumping to
he air brake and reversing the engine,
the train was quickly stopped, and all
hands rushed back to ascertain the mean
| ing of that unusual cry. There on the
track, torn to pieces by the wheels and
scalded beyond recognition, were the
remains of IL man who mad been stealing
ride on the brake beam Of the engine
tank, so as to be near the heat of the fire
box, and had received the full charge Of
steam and hot water on his body, and
been blown from his insecure seat without
moments warning into eternity. adding
one more to that great list of missing.
Boot blscks that are up to the times
never pay fare. They wait until the train
is under headway. run along beside Il car,
catch on to the irons of the door, swing
themselves under and find comfortable
seat on brace beam, where they while
away the time playing cards and sleeping
and enjoying themselves fully as well as
those who may be reclining on cushioned
seats Immediately over them. Winter,
however, drives them to shelter, and those
who do not emigrate to the sunny climes
of the south, find haven in some country
Jail, under whose friendly roof they sleep
away the cold days and are fat and ready
for the summer trip when spring opens.
Two men, while watching the loading of
a car of United States bonded merchandise
in New York city, concluded to take pas
sage for San Francisco. They procured
an auger and fine saw, and during the
night sawed piece of beveling from the
floor of the car, procured supply of
water and food. and rode 1000 miles
before they were discovered One ofthem
coming out for exercise gave the thing
away. They were arrested and held until
the custom house authorities in San Fran
cisco had examined the contents of the
car, and finding it undisturbed they were
released.