The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1890-11-15
A HYsTERY.


Hand" on the NJ. C.. & l.. Railroad.
Let me see! 1t was just sixteen years
ago. If you ever travelled on the
road in those days, no doubt you
remember the "Old Black Hand"
She was a fine engine, an M.
Baldwin patent-an eight wheeled
driver, ard | loved her as the sea-
man loved his craft, or a turfman his
horse that wins him the race. Ihad
run on the road for three years and
was perfectly fasciliar with the line
from one end to tae other.
About six months previous to the
time of which | write, an accident
had occurred on the E. Creek trestle.
ten miles east OF c. The trestle was
600 feet in length, and the greatest
depth was near the west bank, sixty
two feet.
The station man had fallen from
the trestle after the night train had
passed and from appearances, when
found next morning, had been in
stantly killed.
The next night after the accident
as was stepping on the foot board
| ran the night express-the Super
intendent came to me and told me in
few hurried words that he wanted
to place an old man and a young
girl on my engine, and he wished
me to make some preteXt,to stop at
the E Greek trestIe and let them off
| without letting the conductor know
they had been on the train, and at
the same time he enjoined on me
| perfect secrecy, and positively for
bade me asking any question what
ever.
This strange proceeding on the
| part of the superintendent puzzled
me greatly.
He was a man about fifty years of
| age. and well known as a thorough
business man, and one of unspotted
integrity, and bv far the largest
stockholder in the road.
Why he should place these parties
on my engine and desire to keep it
a secret from the conductor, who,
like myself, was only an employe OF
the company, could not for my
life imagine.
There was large crowd in the
depot at the time, as is usually the
case in large cities, and he passed
the parties up TO me without beng
observed.
Time was up; the bell rang, and
the train moved out into the dark
ness.
After trying the gauges, and
arranging things about the engine, l
sat down opposite my two passen-
oers and took a survey of their
persons.
The man was perhaps sixty years
old hair and beard as white as snow
sharp gray eyes filled with energy
and an indescribably sad expression
Of co,,ntenance that bespoke deep
sorrow. His form was slight, yet
we'll propoltioned, and his move
ment was quick and nervous.
The girl was perhaps seventeen
wears of age, with eyes as black as
n;oht and we'll poised head covered
with shining coils OF hair of the
same ,abIe hue. She resembled the
old man in the general contour oi
,orr, and feature, and no doubt they
..ood in the relation of parent and
child and as her face partook OF
the same sad expression. it was to be
.rssrmed she was a sharer Of his
ro-rows whatever they might have
been.
Az ten miles on an express train.
running at full speed, is short ride,
and T knew we were nearing the E.
Creek trestle, rose to my teet and
R nlaced my hand on the lever Of the
throttle valve.
NV companion seemed to under
st,nd the movement perfectly. The
old man cast a sharp glance at me
I'D then at the girl, adjusted hi:
cloak, and peered out into the dark
ness. -,
then shut off the steam with one
/. howe Of the lever, whistled "dowr
/ hr,kes" and then commenced
series OF short, sharp toots as though
to frighten some animal OF th'
track.
The train slowed up. and in ;
;. ,; moment more stood still.
: The conductor jumped oft at one
side of the train, and came forward