The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-12-29
Gould Charaad pis Mid


jay Gould olcs made trip to Mexico to in
spect the international and Great Northern rail-
way. 1t was in tue autumn of 1878, says the
San Francisco Chronicle, and, as usual. the
millionaire was in hurry. Meeting the gen
tlemsn who had the sale Of the road in hand.
he said:
I'm busy man, and want 10 be back in
New York next week Rush me through"
4 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. Lsuer
did some hard thinking. He knew that the
roadoed was in a terrible condition. and that to
run over twenty miles was taxing desperate
Chances. Lauer had lots OF nerve, but he felt
the responsibility imposed on him by the Of
hcials in placing Gould in his hands. He con-
Guided nnsly TO use his own Judgment, take no
time
Between Marshall and Galveston the schedule
called for 2SS 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 a newspaper by dim
hghE, ana every once in a while glanced out the
window impstiently. 1t was evident that the
great man was becoming angry. Finally the
storm burst Turning to one of the officials &C
companying him, he remarked testify:
this were funeral train it couldn't
possibly travel in a more decorous manner
Steam mp and let us go along"
Inc gentleman spoken to was aware that the
nlRnt rlde had been specially ARRANGED in order
that the condition OF the roadbed could be con
cealed from Gould. but thus forced he had moth
ing to do but to order an increase of speed
The order was given, but the train moved along
at the same speed
AT the next stopping place Lauer was sum-
moned and given TO understand that he was not
capable of driving car horse, much less run
ming an engine.
sect along Push her. Let's see what the
machine can do" urged Gould
Lauer demurred aud the railroad msgnate
concluded that he was afraid. He's a COW
ard, he finally said; put another man in
charge"
Lsuer overheard the remark and flushed up.
All right" he said, wen open her up"
In few moments the little special was speed
ing through the night az the rate OF forty-fve
miles an hour Il was a ride 20 be refneu
b red. The cars rocked from side to side, creak-
ing In every joint. and now and then lifting as
II about to leave the track. Every body chung
70 some support: those who knew the condition
OF the road bed expected to be hurled into
eternity every minute.
Lauer sat at the throttle. watching the rails
as Lhey cleaned ike silver threads, He WAS as
pale as those in the train behind. but as he re-
marked in telling the story the other day: nd
have gone up with pleasure before would have
squealer"
Once of looked back at the swayinz train and
SAID; HE won't stand it long"
Inc engineer was right, At a particularly bad
place the bell cord was ierked and the train
brought to q standstill jay Gould was picked
from under 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
molly do You mean?" he demanded "Do you
want to kill us aIl?"
You said you wanted me to pull her open, -
replied Lauer, quietly
Gould glared at the man for moment aud
his manner changed
My NAH" he said, ''you can 20 back there
Snu use Your own Judgment the rest of the trip.
i A oil A,,S
guess you know more than do about running
an engine Then he was assisted to his berth