The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-07-21
Selert Sfory.
IN THE TUNNEL.

uC E1iiEOuu SsuttOu huOWu 90 0tCu
Cove is one of the dreariest this side oI
that inal abode said to he extremely sui
try, where all presidents, directors. and
other rsilroad officials, more especially
ticket agents, fetch up and flieh their la
bors. Were it not so hard on Mogby
Junction l should say Glen Cove was the
Mugby Junction OF America. Indiges.
ton is kept there like feii ammunition
in the quartermaster's department, to
serve out at a moments notice to hungry
and insane passengers, and II is safe, for
the trains carry away passengers to die
IN other localities.
One hot, sunny day in midsummer ]
found myself anticipating the punish
ments due for sins and shortcomings in
this world by waiting for an eastern
bound train long overdue, as II the
trains. like passengers, ,disliked approach.
ing the depot at which suffered.
A surly telcgrapher, also ticket agent,
who shot insults and tickets through a
hole at people, told me after an hours
cross-exsmination that was very cross,
that my train bad brought up in corn
field and / could not possibly get away
by rail before midnight.
Now, what to do with myself from the
noon Of ( is information to the noon OF
nigh, was question that sorely perplex.
ed me. | had no books, no papers, no
ANYTHING to relieve the dull monotony o:
that awful time.
wandered listlessly about the dirty
frame and platform; both were hot
enough to roast potatoes in the shade. !
gazed on-nay, l studied all the colored
bills, giving picturesque views Of vari-
Gus towns and telling in assorted type
the advantages each had over the other
-the only bit of amusement had, and
it was very mild. ! found in guessing at
the missing letters OF bill which read
"Rough line TO Chicago" some scamp
bad cut out the initial 9TH" when the bill
had originally read Through line to
Chicago"
While upon the platform gazing at the
accommodation train just in, that was
awaiting its conductor leisurely getting
orders from the telegrapher, was at
tracted by noisy crowd Of men and
boys gathered about young fellow
whose face indicated the idiotic condi.
tion that originated their entertainment.
He was tall, broad shouldered, we'll
formed youth and wcll-dressed for one
in his condition. But be had bis clothes
half.bu,toned in the loose, reckless man.
ner of one of his class. while his face,
without it's intellectual outlook, was reg
ular in feature, and one could see, had
there been q brain back OF it, would have
been eminently handsome. As anxiety
and care had ceSsed writing its record oi
age upon bis face, it was difficult to tell
his age He bad the form OF man and
the face OF child.
"lt's the opinion Of the crowd, Lem
said the blacksmith to the idiot, "that
you can beat the locomotive IN race
from here to the tunnel, and we have bet
$4,000 on It,"
The poor fellows dead face lit up with
an expression of delight, so pitiable that
it would have disarmed any other crowd
than the one engaged in chatting him.
He gszed wistfully at the huge locomo-
tive that stood kissing in the hot Gun as
if wrathfu at the delay,and then he turn
ed to the cruel crowd as If the sugges-
tion was slowly working its way through
his poor crippled brain.
"Go in, Lem" cried one OF the crowd
we've got our money on you and you're
bound 10 win"
"We'll give you fifty yards the start;
you keep on the track" cried the black
smith, "and the thing cant pass you"
/ could scarcely believe these sc0un-
drels we're in earnest. when the surly en-.
gineer gave the last bang to bis noisy
bell, exploded a short snort from the To-
connective in the way Of warning, and to
nv astonisbment I saw the idiot throw
off his coat and start down the track
ahead of the train. Fortunately the en-
gineer caught sight Of the poor fellow
and checking the locomotive began ring
ing him off the track This was respon
ded to by the idiot bawling ou. with
great glee: "Come on with your old tea
KETTLE" and the brutal crowd cheered
and roared with laughter.
The crowd, keeping along with the
train, chee.ed Justify and the luna.ic
aspurted" as they say in boat race
that is, shot ahead and exhibited consid
erabie power as a racer by the speed
with which he got over the ground. The
engineer, infuriated at the delay, put on
speed and ratified after. But be was upon
a down grade, and fearful of overtaking
the unfortunate, he almost Immediately