The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-22
CHASING THE BABY
The Perilous Exploit OF a Maine Gen.
trail Engineer.

les, on a runaway train with baby as
you will, leave that point to be settled by
the readers Of this true narrative Of an oc-
currence OF several years ago, when the
writer, then young man Of twenty, held
the position of telegraph operator and ticket
agent in the town Of Brunswick, upon the
Maine Central Railroad.
There were two of us, the station master
and myself, who divided the hours Of the
long day the office was obliged to be opap.
for this Is an important point on the road,
and during the hours upon which trains
were upon our division the instruments
were never left without an attendant. My
"trick" or hours on duty, was from one
o'clock in the afternoon until one at night.
and as l relieved the station master imme-
mediately after the principal trains Of the
day had passed. l was witness to the
events which preceded the adventure which
l am about to relate.
One summer day in the year 1880, certain
Bath sea captain, who had just brought his
ship into New York, telegraphed his wife at
Bath, Maine, to come at once to the metrop-
oils, and join him prepared for a long sea
voyage. In accordance with this request, a
day or two following the receipt Of the tele-
gram saw the captains wife embarked upon
the cars en- route to Join her husband, and
with her an infant OF about two years.
At Brunswick the through car from Bath
to Boston Is shunted, and attached to the
rear Of the through train from Bangor.
Selling the opportunity offered by the short
delay at our station, the mother, leaving her
babe asleep upon one Of the seats Of the
car, went to the restaurant in the station 10
have the baby's bottle reflled.
While she was thus engaged. the train.
which was already late, and was only wait
Ing for the through Bath car to get into posi-
ton. pulled quietly out Of the station. When
the mother emerged from the dining room,
the train was fast disappearing down the
straight stretch Of track which extends west
ward from the station.
Mothers who read this can best understand
the CONSERVATION and alarm Of this anxious
mother. Hurredly she explained the situa-
ton to the group Of railroad men and loung-
ers who gathered round. Baby, and purse
containing ticket and money, save little
change, were on board the fast disappea ring
train.
"Can nothing be done gentlemen9' she
eagerly inquired, turning to one aud another
OF the sympathiziug bystanders, as II seeming
the one who could best aid her. but they
were silent.
Old number twenty-three" was standing
sldetracked at the station, waiting the pass
age OF the train Just gone. before proceeding
up river" term applied TO all the stations
up the Kennebec. 1t remained for the en-
gineer of number twenty-three to reply and
suggest the way out of the difficulty.
There IS one way madam, come with me-"
he said. Then he turned and grasped me By
the shoulder
Bring her along, Bob" said he to me.
and help her aboard number twenty-three.
Wen catch that train If steam'll do It." He
started on q run for his engine, without
writing for his fireman who was absent for
amoment. He hastily threw a few sh0velfuls
OF coat into the fire box, while assisted the
captains wife 70 mount. then with hand ON
the throttle and lever thrown back 10 the last
notch, with body leaning far out the cab
window hQ QhOnfQd hurried mai
tons to the switchman.
Give us the main line there, Tom, and
hoist the balls, hoist the balls and don't let
any train pass west till you see us back"
ers and merry exhaust from the stack, old
"twenty-three" slid rattling over the switches
upon the main line, and began the chase.
From Brunswick station westward for five
miles 20 the snail flag station of Oak Hill
continuous rise in the track forms what Is
called by railroad men the soak hin Grade"
An empty engine, chasing heavy train up
this grade naturally has an immense advan-
tage, and although the train had five minutes
tue start, we counted upon overtaking IL be-
fore IL reached the first station from Bruins
wick, Freeport, nine miles away.
AT the engineers direction now assisted
the lady to the fireman's seat, and mounted
the tender,-we were running backward with
the tender ahead-to watch for the first
glimpse of our chase. Looking back towards
the station could see the red balls at the
masthead, which prevented all trains from
following us, and shouted the fact to the en-
gineer. A nod was the reply, he had already
seen them.
We flew over the rails. The roll and lar Of
the engine were so great that an upright
position could be maintained only byl firmly
planting ones feet among the coal, and the
execution of balancing feats that would do
credit to Blondin at Niagara. Finally, as
we turned a curve, caught sight OF the rum
away making the best Of its time toward
Portland.
Now came the more exciting part Of the
chase. was surprised that our engineer
did not sound his whistle, to attract the at
tentlon OF the trainmen to the chase and
cause them to stop, but refrained from max
ing any suggestions, reasoning that he must
know his business best.
Looking into the cab noted the startled
lace Oh the lady, yet wearing an expression
preached the train which held her darling.
and the engineer with body half out Of the
cab window while his hand still retained its
grasp upon the throttle, giving now and then
a slight pull thereat, urging still faster his
flying steed.
On and on we rushed, until in hardly more
time than 1t takes to tell 1t, we were close
behind the train, and the engineer now stand
ing In the cab bidding me keep sharp look
out ahead slowed the pace Of his engine to
correspond with that Of the train, and with
marvellous. skill brought train and engine
close yet closer together. until gently, so gem
tly, to cause no shock whatever our tender
rubbed against the'platform Of the last car Of
the train.
Then, alarmed at the sudden appearance Of
the engine out upon the platform came con-
ducsor and brakeman Of the train, into whose
outstretched arms II was my proud privilege
toconsign the mother, whom had first assist
ed to climb over the coal in the tender, still
grasping firmly in one hand the baby's bottle
OF milk, which had been the innocent cause
OF so much anxiety and effort
SO the train with mother and babe reunited
moved away from us.
We had oyertaken the train six miles from
our stating point, and placed our passenger
on board while running at full speed, without
accident. 1t was dangerous thing to do,
and as the engineer remarked afterwards 10
the captain himself, who had hunted him up
to reward him, twas a thing did not do,
nor would undertake again, for money, but
you see sometimes Teller takes chances on
the spur OF the moment he'd shrink from
when cooler"
remember now how deeply anxious was
the engineer for fear the company would
drop him from the rolls an account OF his
breaking the rule, which allows no train 10
leave the yard limit withoutlorders. The fear
was not well founded, however, as he Is run
ming upon the Maine Central today.