Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-12-31
GOULD CHANGED HIS MIND.
On Second Thought He Didn't Went
Ride Fast on q Texns Road.

On second ThouEnf He DIDN'T Want 10
Ride Fast on q Texas Road.
From the San Francisco Chronicle
Jay Gould once made = trip to Mexico to in
speot the International and Great Northern
railway. II was in the autumn of 1878. and. rs
usual, the millionaire was in hurry. Meeting
the gentleman who had the sale Of the road in
hand, he said:
''Fm q busy man, and want TO be back in
New York next week. Rush me through"
special train was made up and put in
charge Of Jake Lauer, one Of the pioneers in
Mexican engineering.
''Rush him, was the order, and Mr. Lauer
did some hard thinking. He knew that the
roadbed was in q terrible condition, andthat 10
run over twenty miles was taking desperate
chances. Lauer had lots of nerve. but he felt
the responsibility imposed on him BY the off,
cials in placing Gould in his hands. Re con-
cluded finally to use his own Judgment. take
no chances and stick closely 10 the schedule
time.
Between Marshall and Galveston the schedule
called for 325 miles to be made between dark and
daylight. Jay Gould did not retire early. and
on that night seemed particularly wide awake.
He sat reading newspaper BY dim light, and
every once in q while glanced out the window
impatiently. 1t was evident that the great
man was becoming angry. Finally the storm
purtt turning 10 one OF Inc OFFICIALS accom-
panying him. he remarked testify:
'1f this were funeral train 1t couldn't posi-
bly, travel in q more decorous manner. Steam
up and let us 20 along"
The gentleman spoken to was aware that the
night ride had been specially arranged in order
that the condition Of the road bed could be con-
cealed from Gould, but thus forced he had
nothing to do but to order an increase Of speed.
The order was given, but the train moved along
at the same speed.
"'send the engineer TO me-" said Gould "I'lI
talk to him."
At the neIt stopping place Lauer was sum.
moned and given to understand that he was
not capable Of driving q car horse, much less
running an engine.
"Get along. Push her, Let's zee what the
machine can do" urged Gould.
Lauer demurred, and the railroad magnate
concluded that he was afraid. Hes a cow
ard" he finally said; put another man in
charge"
Lauer overheard the remark and flushed up.
"All right" he said, well open her up"
In few moments the little special Was speed
ing through the night at the rate of forty-five
miles an hour. 1t was ride to be remembered
The cars rocked from side to side, creaking In
every joint, and now and then lifting as If
about to leave the track. Everybody chung to
some support, those who knew the condition Of
the roadbed expecting to be hurled into eternity
every minute.
Lauer sat at the throttle, watching the rails
as they cleaned like silver threads. He was AZ
pale as those in the train behind, but, as he re-
marked in telling the story the other day: I'D
have gone up with pleasure before would have
given that little cuss the chance to say was .
squealer."
Once he looked back at the swaying train and
said: HE won't stand il long"
The engineer was right At a particularly
bad place the bell cord was jerked and the train
brought TO a standstill. Jay Gould was picked
from under a seat, where he had been thrown.
and angrily faced the engineer, who had come
back to the car.
What, in the name of all that is good and
holy, do you mean?" he demanded. "Do YOU
want to kill US all?"
You said you wanted me to pull her Open"
replied Lauer. quietly
Gould glared at the man for a moment and
his manner changed.
MY man." he said, ''you go back there and
use your own judgment the rest of the trip.
know how to manipulate railroad, but guess
you know more than I do about running an
engine" Then he was assisted to his berth.