The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-01-20
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A SNOW BLOCKADE.

We had lain nearly all night motionless
on the track; or rather. not mOtionless, for we
had been rocked to and fro in the fierce,
wild wind, than had swept over the plains.
like ship at sea; but We had made little,
or no progres, so far as our journey was
concerned.
1t had been showing when we left Omaha,
and crossed the white, frozen Missouri but
severe storm had net been anticipated
and thoughts as to the possibility of oul
being blockaded by the snow had not en-.
tered our mind.
We had dined costly in one of those
handsome dining-cars, so famous on the c.
B. and Q. Railroad, and afterward had
gone to sleep, all unsuspecting of what was
in store for ns, in our luxurious pullman
Sleeper" :"
What was our surprise and disgust on
opening our eyes the following morning
to find ourselves at staud-still, surrounded
on all sides by huge white drifts, with 8
perfect gale blowing about us, and the
thermometer down somewhere in the re-
zion of 30 or 40 degrees below zero.
4 small army of men were ahead of us
on the track. doing their best TO shovel us
out. Two giant engines ('Moguls" they
were called had been tslegraphed for
bnt az yet we remained stationary. The
snow was packed hard and solid in front
of us. behind us.-We could neither move
forward nor back.
During the night the delightful dining
ear, with all its conveniences, had been
switched off at some station. What were
NE to do for breakfast? ? The bitter, brac-
ing AR gave us most decided appetite
we thought regretfully, longinsly OF ten
der, juicy piece of roast beef left untouched
on our plate-of a second cup Of excellent
coffee left unfinished the night before.
What would We not give for them, now
We sat up in our berth, and peered
through the little window on which the ice
Law thick, forming Woaderful lace-work and
mimic forests, out at the white, gIitterlns
world around us.
1t was not showing now the sun shone
hgh ia the bright, cold blue above we
could hear the B,eR shouting to one another
as they shoveled.
Judging from the sun it must be late
! We drew our watch from under the tiny
aabby pillow the hands were at 10.
Quickly We pulled partially aside the
heavy striped curtains-nearly every one
was ND and dressed in the pullman, anJ
the porter had made up most of the
berths.
No little grumbling was going on, and
gloomy, hungry faces met us on all sides
Cries for "The Conductor The Con
ductor = we're going up dismally, angrily
entyeatingly from every quarter, and when
finally. in response to the cries, the con
ductor of the train, wiry little man, with
a GOOD natured, though just then a some
what troubled countenanes appeared, sum
moned from an adjoining car by the por
ter, he was fairly assailed, and overwhelmed
by the clamorous little crowd.
breakfast Breakfast We wan'
breakfast shouted the people, casting
fierce, indignant glances at the portly
rather sulky-looking pullman conductor
who had all along remained stolidly 'ndlf
ferent to their discomfort.
In vain did the poor little conductor OF
the train bow and smile and protest.
awe are two miles and a half from the
nearest station" he assured them.
aNo matter. We must have something
to eat. he was informed.
The much troubled, kind-hearted con
d,etor was silent an instant. Then, sud
denlv he cried, a generous, unselfsh glow
snreadiug over his weather-beaten face, his
voice ringing out clear and eneouraginsly
through the entire CIR
aWell, you shall have something to eat
my friends. if have to walk there ant
hack for it