The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-05-04
HEAD TO THE ENGINE.
siccping-Car Porter Tells How Old
Travellers Sleep.

Travellers Sleep.
How will you have your feet?" the
porter asked in a Wagner car coming
from Buffalo.
Feet to the engine" said the pas
senger.
IF you travel much you'll have your
head put next to the engine" said the
colored man.
NO" said the passenger, II am
afraid there might be collision. and
then I'd be thrown with all my weight
against my head" The porter chuck
led.
Il beg pardon, boss" said he "bu,
| notice dat all de railroad men has
their heads put toward de engine
and all the commercial travellers also.
The biggest arguments Is in favor OF
doing that way.
I'm the first place. there amt many
head-on collisions. There's more dan
ger of rear-end collision. The reason
IS every passenger train has It's own
right of way, and runs regularly every
night, and is looked out for by all the
train hands that's running ahead of
1t. Therefore the most danger is from
something behind which don't know
when we have stopped or broke some
thing and which runs into us unex-
pectedly.
There amt any one looking out for
any kind of collisions, cause when
they come it matters mighty little
which end you're putting forward
your head or your feet-but If you in
sist on looking out for 'em from be-
hind-fm a-telling YOU
ANY more arguments"
Got plenty more arguments. boss.
.l.,, 4 +
toward the engine. because If you do
the draught through the car blows
right ag your head, and when ii gets
cold at night your head and chest are
exposed. Put your head toward the
engine and you feel cool without git
ting in no draught.
It's just the same way in summer.
If you sleep with your feet toward
the engine you can't have your win
dows open, with the screen in 'em.
without getting the wind and fine dust
right in your face, whereas if YOU
sleep with your head to the engine
you get the cool air and no draugh;
and dust"
Us that all you know"
NO, boss, l hain't told you the big
gest argument yet why you should
have your head made up toward tho
locomotive. The most serious thing of
all is the circulation of the blood In
your body. You been having your feet
made up toward the engine, Ell? Well
rather reckon you don't never
sleep very well in the cars, do you:
Your nights res is usually broken.
amt it? Well SIR lemme make up
your head to the engine, an yOu'll
sleep like you was baby
IT'S because the motion of the train
Is so strong and steady that 1t sends
all your blood toward the end that's
furthest from the engine. Put your
feet to the engine, and all your blood
i1lshes straight to your head and gives
you restless night. Put your head
10 the engine and the blood goes away
from your head, leaving it cool and
easy so as you can rest like a child"
Put my head toward the engine
and stop talking, will youT
Yes. sir; all right, sir; anything you
say, sir. You won't gredge me dat
quarter in the morning, I'm a-telling
you"
"a lapse of half an hour. Then
voice from between the curtains. 1t
addresses the porter)
"Solmomon; Diogenes, porter! Any
arguments as to what part of the
train is the safestF'
There aren't no use of arguments
bout dat, sir. The safest place on
train Is the middle car on the side fur
thest from the other track
Good night, Ciceror'-New York
Sun.