The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1893-04-19
Wrong Side of the Curve.

Among the many incidents that dur
ing the War of the Rebellion were con-
nected with that great national artery,
the Baltimore & Ohio railway, is one
that l will relate.
In the fall of 1861, having been de-
tanned by business in Cumberland, l
was at last about to start for Wheeling,
when learned by dispatch that the
road was occupied below Harper's Ferry
by force of rebels, and therefore no
train would pass.
This proved to be true in reference
to ordinary trains, but especial ="
with which was the Hon. Mr.. Pier
point, and few other notabes, had
passed before the rebels cut the track,
and was, therefore approaching. On
inquiry, found that the engineer of
the coming train had been one of my
old chums ere / had discarded engine
driving for more profitable business.
My friend Joe M was a cool, bold
and skillful engineer, and as generous
as he was reckless of danger.
AS expected, no sooner saw him
and stated my wish to 60 up the road
than he declared that, special or no
special, should ride with him, if for
nothing else, but to see the " fast time"
his engine, " Wildtire would make.
AS we dashed rapidly along and were
passing through Black Oak Bottom, a
couple of Unlocking fellows in citizens
dress fired at the engineer, but, doing
no damage, merely provoked laugh of
derision from him for their want of
workmanship. On arriving at Oak
land, Maryland, we were disagreeably
surprised by receiving telegram in
forming us that party of rebels were
making extraordinary haste to reach
the railway at point many miles
ahead of us. Also they seemed to
know who the special contained, and
would therefore use all endeavors to
capture or kill us.
There was but one car behind the
engine, and in it was briefly discussed
the question of 60 or stay, while Joe
was having the tender refilled with
wood and water.
Mr.. Pierpiont's business was too ur.
gent to admit of possible delay; two or
three others concluded to risk the trip,
and well, if it's not too egotistical to
say SOL had run risks on railways toe
often to back out because there was
danger ahead, while the rest concluded
to stay and trust to luck for the oppor
tunity of getting away.
Just as we were about to start, the
fireman, making a misstep on the "run
ming board" fell and struck the ground
with such force as to break his arm
Joe hurriedly picked the poor fellow up
but time was precious just then, so
leaving him to the care of the gentle
man who had accompanied us, hi
started directly toward me, asking me
to come and run for him, as, having nc
fireman, he won have more than ht
could do. l told him, however, to con
slider me his fireman for the rest of thu
trip, as he was best acquainted with tn,
road; so, without any more ado, doffet
my coat, we jumped on, and away W,
went, past hamlets, through wilder
nesses of stunted bushes, up grade ant
down hill, at a speed rarely equaled
Our light train made firing an easy tas
for me, and / had frequent leisure T.
scan the beautiful ranges of the ALE
ghanies along which we skirted. 10
was sitting, as was usual with him
with his left hand on the throttle lever
and his body half out of the side win
uOW VI Iuo eau, lndt no iuiSit VIC p0'
ter scan the track ahead.
A few miles south of the famou
Cheat river bridge is deep mountain
gorge with PERCEPTIONS, rocky sides.
IL is shaped like an hour-glass, wild
at each end, but tapering each wa
toward the middle. The track runs fo
quite distance along one side of tn
gorge, makes very abrupt turn t
cross the chasm, very deep one, in
straight line, and then, still curving il
wardly, follows the gorge in a lin
nearly parallel with the track on tn
opposite side, for three-fourths of
mile.
We were pitching along with thI
peculiar rocking, bounding motion, s
different from the jar of ordinary IA
speed. AS we swept to the top of
grade, around the side of hill tht
commanded the view of gorge-J,
and both on the lookout we saw, ;
moments glance, enough to make |
concentrate our thinking faculties, ar
act in hurry, whatever was best to
done.
There, on the straight track, just