Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-01-23
:. PRACTICAL MaN.

But before could get to this engineer
was speaking OF, who had passenger en-
CINE On the indianapolis. Bloomington and
Western Railroad, another had already en-
gagged him in conversation. am ready to
! lei anybody else make 4 fool of himself and
ask the question, Just so | get the benefit OF
the answer, 50 let him talk while hung
around and listened. The man wasn't like
amy engineer had ever made friends with
before. lie was an awiully practical fellow
the passenger said:
Yours is a yc.y exciting lifc?"
is 1t = said the engineer with an air OF
interest
'Ncil,' said the passenger, quieted Il lit
| tie bit. meant, isn't it,"
"Oh, was the reply, with satisfied ac-
cent Then. after II pause, "Well, don't
know; 90 YOU see anything very exciting
about lhs?i
He was laziy stretched out on his cush-
ion dividing up his paper Of fine cut, put
ting all but one chew Of ii into his vest
pocket, and putting that one CHEVY into
MS tobacco pouch. so that he could show
the fireman that was all he had, when that
u.eiui o!Iiclal should ask for it.
The passenger dgeted Il lutte, but didn't
seem to want to give il up. didn't know
how 10 feel glad enough that hadn't gone
ln,o the catcchsm business with the quiet
man.
well, said the passenger, after Il little
| while. are We pretty near ready 10 pull
olt?"
Pull what QUIZ" asked the engineer.
''Why, the train.'
Train isn't i'll anything. Trains all
right
We'll" said The passenger, Il mean, are
wc nearly ready to go?'
i am" quietly remarked the engineer,
are you?"
You have splendid engine there" said
the passenger.
''Ia.nI mine replied the sphinx 1T be-
longs 10 the company"
How much can yon got out of her ?'
asked the passenger
The engineer looked surprised.
Cant get Il cent out OF ii" he said
Can't get anything out of anybody cx-
copt the pay-master."
We'll, but mean persisted the passcn-
gcr what can she do on IL good road easy
grade, and YOU cracking on every pound Of
steam she can carry p;
II can pull the train" he said what
would you expect it TO dO?'
We'll, but how ias;?''
Schedule time was the reply: that's
all were allowed 10 make; must make our
time between a!! stations. That's imperative
orders OH the !. r. 4 W"
Well, but couldn't you pull hcr wide open
and
'.pu!. wno wide open?H
~ hy, her: your engine. and give her
,arh, and"
''W!y siiould | rive it snnd."
= - maze it run i;tstcr"
sand does moi increase the speed of an
engine steam is the only motive power.'
But YOU give her sand on heavy grade
and
Excuse he. never gave an engine sand.
The sand is poured on the rail"
OH, well, you know what 1 mean. You
Give her steam, You know, and
No he said Il do not, merely move
the throttle lever, thus opening the rcgua-
! ior valve, and the steam is sintroduccd to the
machinery iii simple obedience TO the law
OF physics. | have no control over it. be-
yond regulating the supply
! 'O! ycu ever. said the despairing pas
ScnScr, come 50 near a collision that you
t had To throw her clear over and
-No- lh' iIdH SiiN very TraNclS, ana
never expect to. 1t couldn't be done
40 ono man could throw this engine clear
over. It weighs 33 tons"
4 suppose the passenger obstinately
persisted, THAT when you start out with a
| heavy train. you have to hold her awful close
to tho rails?"
Il have nothing to do with that" he said,
the laws Of gravitation and friction control
all that. presume my weight on the en-
ginc adds somewhat TO its pressure on the
rail. although Of course that amounts to
very little in comparison with the weight ot
the engine
The passenger wiped the beaded perspira,
ton from his brow.
well" he said, chow do YOU like life on
the foot board anyhow q
i don't live on the foot-board," the en-
gincer said, 4 live at home"
well how do you like running on the
road. thea 2"
Il don't run: Iride.'
The conductor came along just here, and
handed the man i'll the cab bit of yellow
paper, and then shouted. "All aboard.
The passenger with a grateful expression
of countenance. said Thank heaven" a:
he went back and climbed on the rear plat
form Of the last car, as far away from tht
engine as he cou get and heard the en-
gineer, as ! tn! ned away growing abou
people who always wanted to talk shop. I
was a terrible narrow escape for me, but
made it and rather enjoyedit. Providence
always does take care of the truly good.
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