The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-30
EpITH SESSIONS UPPER.
Nell Burgess Fast Ride to Win a Wager
TCOPYaIqHT 1921

[CoPYRlGBT 1891
| A red letter Christmas day IN my ex-
istence was one year ago. I will re-
race to win bet / nearly lost my life.
1t happened like this:
Two years ago, when the County
Fair was on at the Union Square
theater, New York, met an old boy
hood friend after the matinee perform
ance on Christmas day. Our meeting
was a joyous one indeed, and we spent
the time between the matinee and even
ing performance in recalling anecdotes
and events of our youth and in discuss
ing theatrical matters, for my friend
had become a manager of considerable
reputation. After bird and our last
bottle preparatory to my nights per
Torrance my friend made a wager.
Now. Neil, you play in Boston next
Christmas day, l believe" he said.
"Wen, I'll invite you to a spread at
Del's on that day, and I'll bet you don
keep the engagement, and it's only a
short run from Boston to New York at
that
Not for a moment thinking of nv
matinee performance in Boston, and the
short time that would leave me for d
run to New York, l at once made the
bet, naming my own hour. half-past
seven a. m, for our breakfast.
agreed, if I failed to keep my appoint
ment. on the following Christmas day,
the one we are now approaching, to lay
covers for my friend and ten others he
might name
Did l keep the appointment
OF course ! did. left Boston at mid
night last Christmas eve, and was at
Delmonico's at half-past seven o'clock
sharp to meet my friend.
Did l enjoy the repast?
Of course / did. 1t was the best that
gold could procure. But didn't leave
Delmonico's till it was too late to catch
my express. Every moment l stayed in
New York lesSened the possibility of
nv playing that matinee in Boston. A
Christmas cay matinee is worth for the
County Fair in Boston about one
thousand dollars, and then, too. [
would not have disappointed my audi
ence for five times one thousand dollars
on a Christmas da~. ! had arranged to
make the matinee hour three o'clocl: as
a matter of business.
| chartered an engine from the con-
solidated railroad. and at haIf-past nine
left the Grand Central depot 20 make
the Boston theatcr at three o'clock or a
quarter-past three o'clock at the latest.
We were following the express and the
track was kept clear for Us right
through.
IL we can catch that express I'll put
you aboard and lay over at New
Haven" said the engineer as we few
along
but she's thirty minutes ahead?"
True" he replied, but there is q
possibility Of her getting hot box and
tagging little on the way. She IS
heavily loaded with Christmas home
Goers and won't make time, I'll try il
any way"
have heard Of fast runs made bv old
Commodore Vanderbilt and other L.
nous railroaders. and have ridden on
fast trains myself all over the world.
but that engine didn't seem 20 touch
the rails at all almost imagined her
cutting across lots through the woods
and barren fields; my mead was dizzv.
but chung 70 the cab seat and caught
an occasional breath.
Wen catch the express a. New
Haven" said the smiling engineer as
ne pa,ted the lever Of mis- elegant ma
chine Wen catch the express.
was trying 10 catch M breath and
could scarcely gasp ont NY reply: 4
hope 80. GO.
A. we were nearing Milford. a Gown
about twenty miles from New Haven