The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-03-17
ON THE TRUCKS.
A Wild Ride From Boston to New
York In. SEA.

A Wild Ride From Boston to New
York In SEA.
1t was in December, ga, that I wa.
strapped in Boston. I was out Of
employment at the time, and my am.
bition was to get to New York. where
had friends. But having no money
couldn't accomplish it. As I 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 $1,000 to him if they
were delivered to proper parties in
New York. and he said he had come TO
see if l would undertake the job OF
getting them there for him.
''But, my dear sir, have no money
| to defray travelling expenses.
THAT is the exact fix that l am in
myself, but # you can manage to de-
liver these papers for me will give
you $1,000" he said.
l accepted the offer, although l had
not the slightest idea as to how l was
10 get to New York. 1 lay awake all
that night thinking about it. At last a
lucky thought struck me. The trucks!
l had heard of such thing being
done, but at the thought of doing so
myself my blood turned cold But on
further thought | determined to risk
my life for $1,000. 1t was then Tues
day, and I was to deliver the papers on
Saturday.
In the morning l produced some
boards and made myself sort of
shelf, as il were. When the time came
l was ready. 1 obtained coil of small
rope, and with my homemade shelf re-
paired to the depot. 1t was as dark as
pitch and as cold as Greenland. Five
minutes before the train started l
crawled in under the last car, and
arranging my shelf, fastened myself
to the truck by the rope l had brought
with me. 1t seemed an age before the
train started, but it did at last. What
q sensation! As the train struck a
forty mile gait it seemed as if my last
moment had come. l was benumbed
with cold and the oil from the wheels,
which was revolving at terrible rap
idity within two inches of my head, al
most blinded me- I seemed TO lose
control of my limbs and had it not
been for the rope that held me should
have dropped under the wheels. At
last heard the brakeman yell Worce-
ster. The fear of d scovery then over
took NE, and I was afraid to leave my
narrow perch, and awaited the start of
the train again. Springfield. Hartford
and New Haven were reached and ]
was still alive, although far from well.
But the run from New Haven to New
York without stop was the worst or
deal. Sixty m les without 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 l crawlcd from my
narrow perch and hid in coal-yard
until morning. when refreshed by some
good cold water, / started out on my
mission. l reached my destination,
delivered the papers, received the $5,-
900 and started back for Boston in 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 l got to New
York. -Franb Thompson, IN Me0 YORK.
Press.