Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-02-02
ON THE TRUCKS.
A Wild Ride From Boston 10 New
I'm RR1

A Wild Ride From Boston to New
York In 1884.
1t was In December, '64, that was
''strapped' in Boston. was out Of
employment ut the time. and my am
biton was 10 get to New York, where
hal friends. But having no money 1
couldn'; accomplish it. As l was sit
ting in my room one cold night. gen.
tleman called on me and asked me to
take some important document to New
York for him. He was in the same fix
as myself, being without friends in
Boston or money. The papers he
said. were worth IS. 900 to him IL they
were delivered to proper parties in
New York. and he said lie had come 10
see if I would undertake the job of
getting them there for him.
"But. my dear sir. have no money
to dcfray travelling expenses"
"That is the exact fix that / am in
myself. but if you can manage to do
liver these papers for me l will give
you $1,000" he said. ....
accepted the offer. although had
not the slightest idea as to how was
to get to New York. 1 lay awake all
that night thinking about it. At last a
lucky thought struck me. The trucks!
| had heard of such a thing being
done. but at the thought of doing so
myself my blood turned cold. But on
further thought l determined to risk
my life for $1,000 1t was then Tues
day, and was to deliver the papers on
Saturday.
In the morning / produced some
boards and made myself n sort of
shelf, as il were. When the time camo
l was ready. otta ned coil of small
rope. and with my homemade shelf re-
paired TO the depot. 1t was rs dark rs
pitch and as cold us Greenland. Five
minutes before the train started I
crawled in under the last car, and
arranging my shelf, fastened myself
to the truck 10y the rope had brought
with me. 1t seemed an age before the
train started. but it did at last. What
a sensation As the train struck q
forty mile gait it seemed as If my last
moment had come. was benumbed
with cold and the oil from the wheels
which was revolving at u terrible rap
idity within two inches of nv head. al
most blinded me. seemed 10 lose
control of my limbs, and had it not
been for the rope that held me should
have dropped under tho wheels. At
last l heard the brakeman yell Worce-
ster. The fear of scovery then over
took me. and l was afraid TO leave my
narrow perch, and awaited the start of
the train again. Springfield. Hartford
and New Haven were reached and l
was still alive. although faI from well.
But the run from New Haven to New
York without a stop was the worst or
deal. Sixty m les without a stop! The
train was evidently behind time. for it
fairly flew over the frosted rails. The
roar was terrible. Blood rushed from
my nose and ears. but still held fast.
Well. | reached New York alive, but |
often wonder how crawled from my
narrow perch and hid in a coal-ya ard
until morning, when refreshed by some
good cold water. started out on my
mission. l reached my destination.
delivered the papers. received the S5,-
O00 and st,rfnb hack for RnStnn i'm a
gentlemanly way.
l got my reward of $1,000. but l
don't believe to this day that my Bos-
ton friend knows how | got to New
YOrk.-Frank Thompson. IN NeO York
Press.