The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1890-04-10
THE ENGINEERS STORY.
Being an Account Of the One Ro-
nance of His Life.

! was running the "Old Black Hand''
on the M. C. & L. railroad-let me see!
it was just sixteen years ago. If you
ever travelled on that road in those DAYS
no doubt you remember the "Old Black
Hand"
She was a fine engine-an NJ. Baldwin
patent-an eight-wheeled driver. and l
loved her as a seaman loves his craft, or
turfman his horse that wins him the
race. had run on the road for three
years, and was perfectly familiar with
the line from one end to the other.
About six months previous to the time
Of which write an accident occurred
on the E. creek trestle, ten miles east
Of c. The trestle was six hundred 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,
snd from appearances, when found next
morning, had been instantly killed.
The next night after the accident as I
was stepping on the foot board ran
the night express tho superintendent
Of the road came to me and told me in a
few hurried words that he wanted to
place an old man and young girl on
my engine, and he wished me to make
some pretext to stop justat the E. creek
trestle and let them off without letting
the conductor know they had been on
the train, and at the same time he en-
Joined on me perfect secrecy and forbade
mo asking any questions whatever.
This strange proceeding on the part
superintendent puzzled me greatly.
He was man of about fifty years of
age, and well knownas thorough busi-
ness man. and one of unspotted integ-
rity, and by far the largest stakeholder
In the road.
Why he should place those parties on
my engine and desire to keep it secret
from the conductor, who, like myself,
was only an employe of the company, I
could not for my life imagine.
There was large crowd in the depot
ct the time, as is usually the case in
large cities, and he passed the parties
up to me without being observed.
Time was up, the bell rang, and the
train moved out into the darkness.
After trying the gauges and arrang-
ing things about the engine, sat down
oppositemy two passengers, and took a
survey OF their persons.
The man was perhaps sixty years old,
hair and beard as white as snow, broad,
square forehead, sharp gray eyes filed
with energy, and an indescribably sad
expression of countenance that bespoke
deep sorrow.
his form was light, yet well-propor-
tioned, and his movements quick and
nervous.
The girl was perhaps sixteen or seven
teen years of age, with eyes as black as
night and a well-poised head covered
with shining coils of hair of the same
sable hue.
She resembled the old man in the
general contour of form and feature, and
no doubt they stood in the relation of
parent and child, and as her face par
'seok OF the same sad expression it was to
De presumed she was sharer of his sor-
rows whatever they mighthave been.
as ten miles on an express train, rum
aihg at full speed, is short ride, and
anew we were nearing the e. creek
sfestle, ! rose to my feet and placed my
Aaha on the lever of the Unbelievable.
!, MY companion seemed to understand
sne movement perfectly. The old man
oaSt sharp glance at me and then at
sne glri, adjusted his cloak, and peered
0ls INTO the darkness.
then shut off the steam with one
snoVe of the lever, whistled ''down
o.aKes, and then commenced series
!. snort, sharp toots, as though to
-s,gnten some animals off the track.
ae train slowed up and in moment
more stood still. The conductor jumped
eus : at one side of the train, and came
inward with his lantern, and my pas
Selgers got off at the other.
assisted the girl to alight, and as her
saln I, nand rested one moment in mine
III su.,ll Ike that caused by an electric
esa. s@enl1e ran through my veins. She
ssesSeo my hand, and left in my grasp
~ S4.aal card, which / hastily thrust into
e old man wrung my hand, and |
rssa sa sne two hurried out into the dark
nass ~ \ forward on the track; in mo-
eoss. esls turned and came back; met the |
hir hiaseor Just ahead of the engine; told
hsa,. 50. ! ,snought / saw something on the
= 0us that all then seemed rignt |