Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-09-26
ALL HANDS ASLEEP.
Engineer, Conductor and Passengers Let
the Train Run Itself

-
the Train Run Itself.
1--WE had been shooting prairie chick
ems in Uinta County, Wyoming Terri
tory, and lost our way" he said. 1--WE
had expected to strike the Union Pacif-
ic railroad at Hilliard, about sundown,
bnt it was nearly o'clock in the morn,
ing when we crawled up to the
little station platform, tired,
sore, and dead tagged. We
sat there shivering waiting for the next
down freight until the red light round
ed the curve and came toward US SILVER
ing and tott ering, as it seemed, in the
darkness. We did not expect to be able
to stop the train, but the grade was
slight here and as all trains from Pied
mont to Evanston are run 'on grade
only we had determined to Jump the
train was to take the engine at
the cab door. That left for me the ca
boose at the end or possibly the emigrant-
cars, If the train carried any. 1t is next
to impossible to Jump a freight car as
there are no steps or no place to seize
as you make the spring. I was to climb
up, walk along the freight-cars and join
Isl in the engine where it was warm
and where we could talk to the engineer
and fireman.
1.-THE heavy freight train rumbled
down upon us, and as the engine shot
past saw s. suddenly pull himself W
and then he was gone in the darls.1iies
A moment later, afttaeff--safiGeTr tor the rattle ant
rush OF ,l 2 string of cars, I spied my
Chance on an emigrant-car, and ], too
was safe on board. had not expected
to find an emigrant train, but when
landed on the platform of the first coacf
opened the door and went in. Ever,
one, including brakeman, was fas
asleep. went through the three car
and back to the caboose. Every ont
was fast asleep. Then l walked bacl
through the cars, and climbing to thu
top of the last freight car, started t.
walk ahead to find S.. / met him com
ing my way, as he was afraid had no
made my connection and had been lef
behind.
"'The engineer and fireman are bot
sound asleep he said.
"Then every one ON this train i
asleep I answered, and there ar
hundred or so of emigraDts bacI
there
"We went ahead and |, getting dow
to the tender, sat on the coal and looke'
, at the engineer and fireman. From
Hilliard to Evanston the grade increase
and it is lively run. The train wen
ahead at smashing rate, not singl
brake being on, but both the men in tn
cab slept on peacefully.
1T was full daylight when we enter
ed the cut above Evanston. s.
shook the engineer heavily there.
"'Better wake up he said, with CT
rious smile on his face. You are ruI
ming into town at passenger train
: speed
"'Who's asleep? said the enginee
gruffly, springing up and rubbing his eye
as he looked at his big silver watcl
What are you doing in here?'
!. "'Oh, said S., with laugh, Ty
been watching over your slumber for a
. hour or more
. cat this the engineers savagene'
suddenly diappeared. 1t was dow
. brakes then, and the long train came
a standstill. The fireman meanwhi
had become awakened and looked shee
. ishly at his superior. Each had trustC
/ the other.
"'What are we lying here for?' askt
y s..
Twenty minutes ahead of time sa
o the engineer, meekly. Say he adde
i eagerly, you've saved my head on thi
Don't say any thing about it, will you
"Twenty-three minutes later No
pulled into Evanston on time to Il
second. IN. Y. Tribune.