The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-13
ArHRILLING ExPEEIEYCE.
How Eli Perkins Lost Ills Reputation for
Veracity.

T have travelled over the Alps when we
started on wheels in Italy, were put on
runners at the mOnasteries of ST. bernard
ara the next day came tumblins down
into the wheat fields OF SWitzerland am
the Rhone. Then 1 have Jlnrihlsh3d
through Japan, and WheelDdrIO"eu III
China. But the most exciting TRIP 81 my
Ufe was taken nt our own country, our III
iowa. Al was one OF the coolest nights
or 81 cold winter / lectured for the cot
lepe at Usage city, northeast from oeddr
Rapids. one pight, aud the neNt night !
U,es 10 b.sat Griuucll College, near DtS
Noines. 1 had TO ride down through the
central part of Iowa, on Inc Ola IOWA
Central road 10 DO this / was compelled
10 drive thirty miles across the prairie
from Usage city 10 Mason CITY IN order
10 strike "A 3 o'clock morning train FOR
Grinnell.
Thirty miles over the prairie in north
west storm with the thermometer Ia ue-
grees below zero, was test OF strength
nerve. and bodily caloric, but we MADE
the trip. once our sleigh tipped over. and
our blank is and robes blew away 1t was
a hurricane, and even our hot soapstone
took u the wind. once we got to ciTcling
around on that thiTty-mile prairie, anc
the driver threw up his frozen hands and
screamed:
yves lostp'
But the stars came out, and we whirled
around toward the north star and strus-
gled on.
In the gray of the morning with what
low We saw the struggling rghts Of the
little station of Mason city, now place
of 5000 people, | remember well how
rolled out Of the sleigh and tottered up
to the station door IL was al dark with
in. I knew the morning train hadnt gone
We had won, but on, with what cost!
Knocking on the door then pounding
louder the agent finally opened II.
Has the o'clock train gone south 10
Grinnell?' l asked, with tremulous voice.
What?
Has the train gone south?'
he looked at me in amazement' and
said:
"Csone man, Gone? Why, she went
last September. She is a summer train.
But" and he looked kindly at me, she
will co again In June. II you must go on
her, YOU can't sit around here in the depot
and wait"
What did do?
Why. l went right over 10 log hotel
and went to bed, and slept smothered
ny sorrows.
Sleep. Sleep,
AT 10 O'Clock | crawled over TO the de-
pot. and opened the wires on President
j. Il. Grinnell of the Iowa Central. This,
by the way. was the original man whom
Greedy told to eco West" Grnnell went
West, and it was he who founded the
city OF Grnnell, where / was TO lecture.
He built the college there. the railroad,
the town, the college, and the lecture
course were all his. And ! threw myself
into his arms with this telegram:
please give me an engine. Get me To
Grinnell Tonight"
Amy engine needing repairs al Mason
City? II 50, send Perkins down." came
over the wire from Grinnell
mo. 6 wants a new fire box" went the
answer
30 X. Send with Perkins. Get him
here or Kill him." replied Grinnell.
In thirty minutes we were OFF. We went
bounding over the old iron rails between
Ackley and Marshalltown, and how we
flew! Villages became splotches or ma
room paint, telegraph poles blurred IKE
wagon spokes in the sun.
We blew the whistle. but the train peat