Connecticut western news., 1891-06-03
THE MAD LOCOMOTIVE.

1hG mhb LOOOulO1l Ih
 "A story of railroad adventure, eh?'
 elf you please" answered the vet eran engineer, as we sat in the cool shade to the east of big Providence roundhouse. I may say that Peter Hank, the narrator of this exciting incl dent, is well known by me and esteemed as man of truth by everybody who knows him.
 'I never had but one son. All my boys were girls. But when little Burn side was born tell you we were happy. Yet never supposed that chap would save my own life and lots of other peo- ple's. That's just what he did, how ever. You know I always run the ex- press. We got big engine some years ago on the road. She weighs more than any machine we ever used before. I never liked her when saw her in the shop, that giantess, No. GAS. She never had any name. And that machine never liked me. All because of this" The engineer took his pipe from his mouth to look me squarely in the eye. "I was in the shop one afternoon just to look her over. That's when they were paint ing her up. The painters and varnish- CTS were crawling all over her.
 "Of course she wasn't fired up-An- other engineer and I just were walking round her huge body. I said: Jake, that critter will heat the first trip, and hot box on her will mean lots of work. hope may never be asked to run her. We'll, sir, believe it or not, I knol she heard it and was mad. When climbed into her cab, just to look at her there, l naturally enough took hold of her re- verse lever. She threw that lever over, sir, quicker'n lightning, and caught my leg just under the knee, taking out a bite as big as walnut. My! How she pained me! It was weeks before my stiff leg was all right"
 Then. he resumed his pipe while that soaked into me.
 "Now, you newspaper men do not take any stock in such things, know. But no railroad man would say was a fool if I thought hard of the machine. And all railroad men have seen engines act just as if they had spirits in them. There kin't an engine on our road or any other which will work as we'll for one man as she will for another. Every en- zine has her favorites, for whom she will do anything, and her enemies, to whom she acts like she demon."
 A fact, by the way, which the writer has since verified on considerable inquiry among locomotive engineers.
 "We1, sir, if you believe me, that No. 643 hadn't been out O shop week be- fore the master mechanic sent for me one night to take her. I remember l was eating supper. It was my two daSs' lay of. Little Burnside was sitting in his chair beside me. He was just years old the Thursday before. It was very hot August night. was asked to put the big engine through for special There was party of big fellows from Washington who were returning from the White Mountains. I was to drive 'em down to Wickford Junction for Newport.
 "'God help me, Susiep I said to my wife, pushing back my chair. I don't know why, but I'd rather be killed by a pistol shot here at home than to go.'
 "'You foolish fellowp she replied. What ails you?
 
 machine hain't been run a dozen times. Besides she hates me. This IS to be a show off run, like lightning, and I know she'll kill us all
 My wife she just rose up then. Be ing good Christian church member as ain't, she exploded on me.
 "'Pete, I'm ashamed of you! You're tRe best runner on the road, and this is an honor. Do you want to get dis charged and lose our daily bread? God will take care O my husband. Here! It's hot night, and you'll be back by Il o'clock. Take the boy. He's always wanted night ride.'
 ''That got me. l just rose up. She put on the boys little cap and gave me his coat, and went off, taking the boy. remember how he laughed. carried him over the rails in the dark yard on my shoulder, and he kept batting my cheek and kissing me till boosted him into the cab of No. 643. How proud he sat up there on my box between my legsl
 "Well, again." continued Pete, rub ping 8 fresh match on his overalls, nothing occurred as we coupled on and ran quite while. We drew four Pull mans besides the baggage car It waa hot and dark. We had the right of way, but were to approach Wickford cautious, for there we should find the regular New York express, which we should overtake. No. 643 worked stiff, as I knew she would, but she was SO big that when she got started nothing could trouble he, much, and she just tossed the load along as light as feather.
 ''I noticed that the throttle valve worked hard when l had to shut of steam once or twice slowing through station Stn could jerk her in and ous vel snouRh with one hand. An ugly thxustll