Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-11-29
The Bull and the Locomotive.

From the Express Journal.
new railroad was in process of construc-
ton and pass was secured, permitting me to
ride on the engine and l reached the end of
the grade in the afternoon. Nearly score of
''GreaseEs" claimed passage ON the engine and
tender. and clustered like flies to the machine
though repeatedly warned away. As 1t was,
the COW catcher was covered with them, and
we slid out into the cleaning with all our pas
sengers in front of instead of behind the engine
The freman's seat. above and to the left of the
furnace door, was given to me--a warm loca-
ton. The sun went down and into the dark
ness the head light threw a saffron CLEAN over
the rails, followed by rudy glow and then
broad shaft Of light projected far in advance
The red faded out OF the sky. and we sped into
the dismal depths with rattle and roar that
silenced us all, and with joltng and crashing
that necesstated a firm grip on some support
At intervals OF three or four minutes the active
fireman swung open the furnace door with
bang. and shOveied into It's fiery throat fresh
fuel for its insatate NAV. Not word was
spoken. but at nod from the engineer the as
sistant attended to his duties like an automa-
ton-1rst. to turn a cock and let the Kissing
steam full into our faces; theu to pull the bell
rope to run out next to trim the headlight and
ever aad again to jerk open the Changing door
and rake up the almost molten mass of living
Goals within. With one hand on the lever the
pecitu OUT llilU the Illuminated space
ahead-to him familiar ground but to me mys-
ferrous and unknown.
That's the talk" chuckled the engineer. as
Roadway was gained and we We're dashing
down the track at tremendous speed Just
hear her now. Did you ever notice. younr
man, that an engine can talk2 Well she can.
Didn't you hear her puff and grunt like q
human as we started OFF, oh, pshaw,' she
begins. what dyOu want? what d'you want
choo. choo, choo! ah, here goes here you go!
now you have it now you have it how is
that? how is that ? give it to her give 1t to
her break her heart break her back! break
her"
Jerusalem. Jim. look ahead See that
Internal old bull on the track, right between the
rails, and head on JIM can't stop her! Blamed
II the old woman don't mean fight She means
to knock the stuffng out Of that bull! Heaven
help them greasers on the cow catcher! Hold
on to something, boys! She will fight Dog
gone her old heart but she's bantam -
The lever swung over the entire arc Of the
gauge and the steam Kissed in volume
through the open throttle. but the contrary old
engine, though trembling and sobbing with the
strain. shook her mailed sides, taking the bits
in her teeth" and leaving our driver aghast.
santa Martial SemOs PERIODS! We're LOST"
walled the despairing Mexicans
Guess they be-" muttered the fireman: s.and
Iwould9't want to insure our own"
Crash.
The toes had met. The bull, oh. where was
ne! ASH Tie remains tlaL now beStreWed the
track. Ask the sturdy old engine, now come
to halt, her CORY front intact and who was
now snorting defiance and victory.
And the Mexicans?
"Jim look down ahead and see Z she's hurt.
Hokey amt it dark"
Jim jumped through the cab window and ran
ahead. AS he did so he stumbled over a body.
and another, and three white forms came out Of
the gloom to meet him.
Guess it's all right" he shouted back.
"What! amt she damaged 2"
kind O. bloody and battered, but fresh "A a
daisy. She amt lost even TOOTH"
"Aint she tearer 2"
"You bet."
"Well. come up. Any greasers killed."
"Guess not; seem to be all here"
"Any damaged?"
"DOnt seem to be"-after q hurried ones
tloning. "You see, three of 'em iumped. and
t'other two crawled up just in time to save their
shns."
sis that so7 Didn't know ereaser could be
so spry. did kind Of hope-but no matter
'spose 1t would gone wuss with us If we laid
out any one. There'n be row about that old
bull as 'tis and they'll bring bill of $50 for his
carcass; and I'm ready to swear that them greos-
ers are drivin' 'em up on the track as fast as
can run 'em of. But she Just dispersed old
TOrO didn't she. Jim P"