Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-12-05
A TERRIBLE RIDE.

began life on one of the big railways of
the States as cleaner" in an engine
shed.
had been employed in the shed at Louis
vile for about fifteen or sixteen months
when l went on my first trip as a fireman.
1t was very near being my last.
1 firmly believe all the years of flying
about in an express since was made an
engineer have not taken as much out of
me as that single turn of an hour and a
half. 1t occurred in this way:
One evening the superintendent at Louis
vile received wire from Weston, sta
ton about seventy miles down the line, to
send an engine to replace one which had
broken down. He came to the shed and
selected the Gen. Grant, one of the finest
locomotives on the road. Then he sent
word to the engineer and fireman to come
on duty and start on their journey at Z
o'clock.
The driver, Ben Norris, was there in
good time, and busted himself with his oil
can. But Jim West, the fireman. did not
turn up punctually.
At last, when it was near the hour for
starting, he came in the shed.
One glance at his bloodshot eyes and I'M
steady walk showed me he was the worse
L
of this, and from the bottom of my heart
pitied him. The week before he had lost
his little daughter Kate, and to drown his
grief he had taken to liquor.
knew he was perfectly incapable of 60
ing on duty, and I also knew that if he
was discovered in this state it would mean
instant dismissal.
There was only one thing for it-another
fireman must be found Immediately. If
the matter was referred to the superin-
tendent it would be all up with my friend
Jim. From that moment l made up my
mind to take his place myself.
l gave him in charge OF one of my mates,
who promised to take him home quietly.
thought that in few hours he would
have slept off the effects of the liquor, and
left word to have him come on by the
night train to Weston. 1 had to explain
matters to the engineer, but he made no
objections to my plan. 1t struck me at the
time that he took the matter very coolly;
in fact, he seemed perfectly Indifferent as
to who went with him.
Time was up. took my place in the
cab. Norris set to work at once and we
moved slowly out of the shed. We were Off
While in the station took care to keep
bending down, as if examining the fire, SO
that should not be recognized. But once
clear of the town stood upright and look
ed around.
1t was glorious summer evening. We
SKINNED rapidly past meadows and corn
fields, and then dashed along the bridge
over the river. began to think l would
enjoy the run immensely.
next turned my attention to the en-
CINE. AS l ran my eye over the shining
machinery felt gratified to think that its
neat order was chiefly owing to my care. 1
was proud of the Grant, and wondered if
the time would ever come when l should
have charge of it myself.
was so elated that l thought my COM
panion ought to be more lively. Ben
seemed to think of nothing but his work.
He stood with his hands on the throttle,
and his eyes steadily fixed on the track
ahead made one or two remarks, but
he scarcely answered me. While 1 was
wondering at his silence he suddenly ap-
peared to rouse himself. He glanced at
the steam gauge, muttered something
which l did not understand, then bent
down and examined the firebox.
'Nlore coal!'' he cried in a voice which
almost startled me-
compiled without word. Instead of
throwing in the coal recklessly, which
knew would only deaden the fire, piled it
up carefully around the sides. Very soon
the speed of the engine increased. We
were rafting along at a grand rate. ex-
amined the gauge and saw that the hand
pointed to 1876. could not see the neces-
sity for this rapid travelling
Ny companions attention was again
fixed upon the road before him. Presently
he turned toward me and exclaimed:
"Who says that the Grant is not the
fastest engine on the roadp'
"Moxley declared that the President was
faster" replied.
'Then he liedr' cried Norris. fThe
President faster-we shall see, we shall
seel"
l thought his manner very strange, to
say the least of it. But knew his ways
and said nothing. He was always consid-
cred rather eccentric Besides, he was
easily excited and could not bear to be
contradicted. Still there was not driver
on the line better acquainted with his bust.
ness.
And, by the way, have forgotten to say
a word as to his appearance. Well, then,
he was big, powerful fellow, with broad,
red face, with a bushy beard. 1t was hard
to deal with such man. If he once put
his foot down there was no getting him to
budge until his humor changed.
We were now coming close upon Wafer
ford station, and had already done about
five and twenty miles of the journey. Ben's
eyes were still upon the track. 1t was all
clear ahead, yet expected to see him close
the throttle and slow down while passing
through the station.
But was mistaken. With roar and
rush we slashed right through, and the
next minute we were tearing along a level
stretch on the other side.
"More coalp' Not only the words them
selves, but the manner in which they were
uttered caused me serious alarm. began
to suspect that something was wrong.
Still, if hesitated it might only aggravate
him, so flung in a small quantity.
go on-go on!'
What was to do? didn't dare to re-
fuse. The wild look in Norris eyes fright
ened me, and l went on shoveling in the
fuel. 1 glanced at the gauge. Great
heavens! it marked 230! This pressure of
steam, where no cars were attached to the
engine, meant a fearful rate of speed.
The engineers manner was strangely al
tered. Instead of being silent and morose,
he was now excited and talkatiye.
"That's it!''he cried, and could barely
catch the words above the roaring of the
engine. Nov we are travelling! Ha! hal
The President faster than the Grant? Not
likely! I'll catch up to her yet, see if I
don't!"
Shall ever forget these terrible words
They actually seemed to paralyze me. AS
stood there, clinging for support to the
side of the cab, the awful truth flashed
through my mind. The engineer was madl
And, worse still, he was under the delusion
that the President was on in front. With
this insane idea in his head he determined