The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-04
eU1zzIEe A oURRrsT.
an Amusing Railroad slEerrb-An IN
quisitiye Passenger who Wanted
e. Know

Vt AN AAHAAAE AA4AAE0flu -lAG la- ~ = n n
quisitiye Passenger who wanted
know.
Something about the engineer, his face
OF las manner, or possibly his clothes,
writes Buudette, attracted my attention
anyhow [ wanted % tax 20 him and
hear him talk about ms eu-iue. There
IS a wonderful fascination about railway
engineers, locomotives and railroad men
and ] am especially susceptible 10 this
fascination. But before 7 could get To
the engineer speak of, who has pas
senger engine on the l.. B. q w. anoth-
er had him ia conversation. 7 am always
willing to let anybody else make a fool
of himself and ask the questions, Just so
I get the benefit Of the answers 80 I let
him talk while ! hung around and lis
tened. This engineer wasn't Ike any en-
gineer had ever made friends with be
fore. BE was an awful practical fellow.
The passenger said
Yours is very exciting Hfe ="
Isit 2" said the engineer, with an
air OF interest
Wen. I meant isn't it?" said the
passenger.
Oh, was the reply, with : satisfied
accent Then after a pause, 90 " ell j
don't know; do you see anything very
exciting ahou. this 2"
He was lazi-v stretched ont on hts
cushion, dividing mp hrs paper of huecut
putting al but one chew into ms vest
pocket and putting that one chew into
his tobacco pouch. so hs could show the
frems. that was all ne had, should that
useful official ask tor It.
The PASSENGER Idgalted bit. hut
didn't want 70 gave it up. didn't know
how to feel glad enough that I didn't 90
j. 81
quet man
wei said the passenger after lit
de while, ''are we pretty near ready %
pull out;
'Puu aat v@hst.~ asked the engineer
WHY. the train"
Train isn't u anything Trains ali
right
"EEeiL~ said the passenger are we
nearly ra. IS 80 g0s
sT am. quietly remarked the engineer,
care youe-
You've splendid engine here said
the passenger
.'Tain't mine. replied the sphinx, its
the comuauv's"
''TIow much can you get out Of her."
asked the passenger.
The engineer booked surprised.
Cant yet a cent out Of it." he said;
cant set s1lytlius out Of any body -r
Cspt the uaymsstsr
'sTeU hut I mean yvlatu she DO on q
good road. easy grade. and YOU cracking
or al the steam she can carry.
Ia can pub the train. what do you eC-
psct Il to Go.
. Wen hut how fast r asked the pas
senger.
Schedule time" came the reply
that's al we are allowed 10 MAKE
must make our tirue between al sta
( tons That's imperative orders On the
L r. & W.
weI. but couldn't you pull her wide
open, and
Pull who wide open?'
why, her-your engine and give
her sand. and"
"Why should I give it sand ?
TOmllze her run faster"
Sand does not increase the speed oi
en- engine; steam IS the only motive
power"
&C. But you give her sand on 8 heavy
grade, and
4 never give an engine sand, II L
poured on the rail"
"Oh, you know vhat ] measi yoJ
give her steam. and
NO, I don't; / only move the rhr0t
lie which opens the regulator valve and
the steam Is forced q the proper por
tons Of the machinery, in Obedience Q.
laws OF phvsic. I have no control bc
yond regulating the supply
DID YOU ever, said the desDllriu.
man. come 50 neur collision that vol
had to throw her clear over, and
No" graveIy came the reply. " an,
/ never expect 70. Il couldn't be done
No man could throw his engine clea
over. Tt weighs thirtv-tive tons
o. suppose the passenger obsunatet
2 persisted, that when you start out witt
a heavy train. you hold her awfulv clos
TO the rGissg
I've nothing to do with that tn
laws of gravitatlon and friction C0utrC
that Nv weight on the engine add
somewhat 20 the pressure on the ran
but that amounts 70 little in comparlso
with the weight OF the engine"
The passenger wiped the perspiratio
of his brow and said: How do 70
ike life On the fo0t-board, anyhow
Il hive at home and not on foo
boards" was the reply.
"wen. how DO you hike running @
the road, them
9" ! don't run. ride
Just then the conductor came az
handed the man in the cab a bit Of ye
low paper and shouted. " All aboard
The passenger, looking grateful 81
Thank Heaven as he went INTO q
last car, as far back from the engine
he could get then heard the engine
growing about people who
usys want to talk shop It wss o ns
row escape for me. and 1 rather G
joyed r.