The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-04
GOOD BICYCLE STORY.
OverhauIing Railroad Train on the whiri'
ing Wheel.
tChicaso Ncws.I

lCntchfo NcWSI
"You think Inc rather young for such
responsible position? Well, perhaps so,
for am nothing more than boy, being
less than twenty years OF age. But what
think you OF this white hair which have
had for four years 1t looks strange to
one unaware OF It's origin, and when / call
to mind the circumstance that caused it
only wonder that am alive to-day"
The speaker, mere child In appearance
save for his white hair, stood with his RIGHT
index finger and thumb grasping the key
of a telegraph instrument which had just
licked of to him an account OF terrible
railroad accident. Referring to II he said !:
81 have had some trying experiences
| In my life as an operator. Four years ago
was telegraph operator at small country
station on n southwestern railroad. had
little TO do, the dispatches sent and re-
ceived not averaging more than two day,
aud those confined almost entirely to rail-
road matters. To enable me to leave the
Office at will had attached large tin cup
to the sounder of my instrument so could
hear my call. 90 from any part OF the vii
LACE. When the south-bound train arrived
at noon one Saturday hurriedly commu-
nlcated with the conductor, and learning
that he had nothing to send prepared to
quit my Office for the afternoon. as ne other
train was due until O'Clock. Locking
the door / went away, leaving the train
standing at the depot, hot boxes detain-
| ing it longer than usual. Luckily did
not 90 beyond ear-shot OF my instrument,
repairing to field near by to witness q
baseball game. frequently left the Office
for hours, but always kept within hearing
distance, the tin-cup sounder enabling me
to distinguish my call several hundred feet
away. Somehow had misglvings on this
occasion. l had an indefnable dread OF
some impending trouble. / was so i'll at
ease tat took little interest in the game.
kept my ears open. expecting, for some
reason / will not attempt to explain, to be
called to the office. Before had been alb
sent ten minutes, and while the train still
stood at the depot. 1 heard my familiar
call repeated in what seemed to me I'M
usually rapid succession. Instead OF walk
| ing leisurely, as was my wont, ran to the
office as fast rs could, and heard as L en-
tered Hold No. at your station until
special going north passes
Involuntary l glanced out OF the win
dow, and saw the train | was ordered to
hold disappearing around a curve short
distance away. Twas not told at what time
the special left the station south, which
was only ten miles away, aud / saw in my
minds eve the two trains rapidly approach
ing each other, quickly followed by a crash,
screams OF pain, and flying d66rtS. sud
denly / remembered, while tearing my
hair and cursing my negligence, that No.
had to stop at woodward two miles
down the road to take on fuel. That would
take matter OF five minutes, and II means
Of conveyance were at hand | might over.
take it aud avert disaster. My first
thought was q hand.car, my second horse,
but did not know II the first was at the
station, or the second was TO be had in
the village. Rushing out OF the office
stumbled over my bicycle. Without o
moments thought showed it out OF the
door before me, and was on it in less time
than 1t takes 10 count ten. In my odd mo-
ments l have practiced, and had become
quite an expert bicyclist. The country
road paralleed the railroad for several
miles, and the former was down-grade the
entire distance. put my whole strength
into the effort of propelling the machine,
and had the satisfaction OF attaining speed
| had never accomplished before. My hat
blew of and my coat was Cotfed through
fear that it would retard my speed. got
within perhaps fifty yards OF the now sta
tionary train. when the engine-whistle
blew and the train started up. | redoubled
my efforts aud came alongside the rear
platform OF the last car Just as the train
was getting under full Roadway. With a
falling side-motion l threw my wheel
against the side Of the car just forward OF
the platform and grasped the hand-ral as
it came in reach, at the same time letting go
my hold on the bicycle. / caught the bell
cord and gave it one vigorous pull, and as
the train came to a halt l gave the cord
three ierks-the signal to back-and faint
ed. The conductor found me where had
fallen. Suspecting something wrong, he
permitted the tram TO back TO the station,
getting there Just as the special, loaded
with the directors OF the road and their
families, swung around the curve into the
station. had brain-fever, and came near
dying, not regaining my reasoning faculties
for five weeks after my terrible experience.
But the conductor said my HAIR was white
when he found me on the rear Of his train"