The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-26
QulzxlN0 A QURRrsr,
lBob Rardesse. h Exehangs.l

 Something about the engineer. bis Face or his manner, or possibly his closhes ass tFacted my attention !; anyhow wankcd so talk to him and hear him talk about hls enginc. There is wonderful fascin atioa abous railway engineers. locomotives and railroad men and am especially sascsS- tihle to this fascination. But before l could get to the engineer | speak of who has passenger engine on the l. B, X w., another had him in conversation. l am always willing to let anybody else make a fool of himself and ask the questions. just so get the benefit of the answers so les him talk while hung around and listened. This engineer wasn't like any engineer had ever made trends with before. He was an awful practical fellow. The passenger said: "Yours is a very exciting life 2" It is, said the engineer, with en air of interest.
 "Well l meant. isnt iti" said the passenger.
 "Oh," was the reply, with . satisfied accent. Then after pause, "Well, l don't know do you sec anything very exciting about this ?" TAG was A4Aity SuStGuoQ out Oa HIS cushion, dividing up bis paper of 6ne-cut, putting all but one chew into his vest pocket and putting that one chew into his tobacco pouch, ss he could show the fireman that was all he had, should that useful official ask for it. The passenger hdgetted bit but didn't want to give it up. didn't know how to feel glad enough that didn't go into the catechism business with the quiet man.
 "Well," said the passenger. after a lit- tie while. are we pretty near ready to pull out
 Puu out wha.7" asked the engineer.
 "Why, the train" "Train isn't in anything. Train's all right"
 "Well." said the passenger, Care we nearly ready to gofs
 "I am," quietly remarked the engineer, "are you?'
 "You've splendid engine there" said the passenger.
 "'raint mine,n replied the sphinx, "its the company's."
 "How much can you get out of her." asked the passenger. The engineer looked surprised. "Can't get cent out of it." he said, can't gel anything out of anybody ex- cept the paymaster.
 "Well, but mean, what'll she do on a good road, easy grade, aud you cracking on all the steam she can carry" It can pull the train, what do you ex. pect it to do?"
 "Well, bat how fast ?" asked the pass. enger.
 Schedule time," came the reply that's all we are allowed to make must make our time between all stations. That's imperative orders on the l. B & w."
 "Well, but couldn't you pull her wide open, and Pull who wide open2"
 "Why, her-your engine ; and give her sand. and" "Why should give it sand2" "To make her run faster" "Sand does not increase the speed of an engine; steam is the only motive pow~r"
 But you give her sand on heavy grade, and"
 never give an engine sand, it is poured on the rail"
 "Oh, you know what mean you give | her steam ana - "No don't; only move the throttle lever which opens the regulator valve and the steam is forced to the proper portions of the machinery, in obedience to laws of physics. have no control, beyond reg ulating the supply" Did you ever," said the despairing man, come so near collision, that you had to throw her clear over, and" No" gravely came the reply, and 1 never expect to. It couldn't be done. No man could throw his engine clear over. It weighs thirty-fve tons." suppose the passenger obstinately persisted, (" that when you start out with a heavy train you hold her awfally close to the rails
 "l've nothing to do with that, the laws of gravitation and friction control that My weight on the engine add somewhat to the pressure on the rail, but that amounts to little in comparison with the weight of the engine"
 The passenger wiped the precipitation of his brow and said !" H ow do you like life on the foot-board, anyhow? "I live at home and not on foot boards, /" was the reply. Well, how do you like running on the road, then"
 "i don't run, l ride" Just then the conductor came and handed the man in the cab bit of yell low paper and shouted, All aboard" The passenger, looking grateful, said Thank Heaven as he went into the las, car. as far back from the engine as he could get then heard the engineer growling about people who always want to talk shop" It was a narrow es- cape for me, and rather enjoyed it.