The sun., 1895-02-03
Il THRILLING EXPERIENCE.
How Ell Perkins Lost His Reputation.

From, the Mupdsfne Of TrareL
have travelled over the Alps when We
started on wheels in Italy, were put on runners
at the monasterics of st. Bernard. and tho next
day came tumbling down into the wheat fields
Of Switzerland and the Rhone. Then have
jinrikishad through Japan, and wheelbarrowed
in China. But the most exciting trip Of my life
was taken in our own country, out in Iowa. II
was one Of the coldest nights of q cold winter. I
lectured for the college at Usage City. north
east from Cedar Rapids. one night and the
next night was to be at Grinnell College, near
Des Moines. l had to ride down through the
central part of Iowa, on the old Iowa Central
road. To do this was compelled to drive thirty
miles across the prairie, from Usage City to
Mason City, in order TO strike a O'Clock morn
ing train for Grinnell.
Thirty miles over the prairie in . northwest
storm. with the Thermometer 15 degrees below
zero, was test OF strength. nerve and bodily
caloric; but we made the trip. Once our sleigh
tipped over. and our blankets and robes blew
away. 1t was hurricane, and even our hot
soapstone took to the wind. Once we got to cir
cling around on that thirty mile prairie. and
the driver threw up his frozen hands and
screamed:
Yves lost.
But the stars came out. and we whirled
around toward the north star and struggled on.
In the gray of the morning with what joy
saw the struggling lights Of the little station Of
Mason City. now a place of 5000 people! re-
member well how l rolled out of the sleigh and
tottercd up to the station door. 1t was all dark
within. knew the morning train hadn't gone.
We had won but oh, with what cost!
Knocking on the door. then pounding louder,
the agent finally opened 1t.
Has the o'clock train gone south to Grim
nell ?" asked. with tremulous voice.
"What?"
Has the train gone south2"
He looked at me in amazement, and said:
Gone, man! Gone? Why. she went last
September. She is a summer train. But" and
he looked kindly at me. she will go again in
June. II you must go on her, you can sit around
here win, IN ths dis GieRot | JR@t and wait"
Why, went right over to LOG hotel and
went to bed: Gland and sleep smothered my sorrows
Al 10 O'clock crawled over to tho depot. and
original man whom Greeley told to Zoo West"
the city of Grinnell. where was to lecture. He
buit the coleg. there. The railroad, the town,
And | threw myself into his arms with thi:
mel, Ifs@ss EIys me an engine Get me to Grin
-, :. Any engines needing repairs ut Mason Cityf
II Ird so, SEND Perkins down." came over the wire
NO. wants a new fire box" went the an
swer.
%; K, Send with Perkins. Get him here
or k!!l him." replied Grinnell.
IN thirty minutes we were off. We went
bounding over the old iron rails between Ack-
ley and Marshal ltown. and how we few VIII
lageS became spotChcs OF maroon paint. Tele-
sun.
We blew the whistle. but the train beat tho
sound INTO Marshalltown. and the agent came
out and looked the wrong way. We had passed
tnn town, and tho whistle was still behind.
We'll. we got To Grinnell, and struck the audi
X President
hadn't told them about the ride. The audience
Thought came on irregular train or drove over
from tho next station. When tried to tell
them about my trip they only laughed. They
didn't believe me. Alas! that was the day-that
was tho nght-tbat | lost my reputation for
Neracity, and all these years | have struggled 10
get IL back. am u vestrynan now and mem-
Der o: the Young Mems Christian Association.
but nothing will yet back my lost veracity, ex.
cept, perhaps, this open confession-n for the
first time made,
When asked the venerable President Grim
nell years aitcrward, how he came tn telegraph,
Get Perkins to Grinnell or kill him." he saldi
~ Well my son, you see was running for Con-
gress then, and didn't have any record 10 run
on. All had done was to condemn land for
right OF way and kill immigrants on our trains.
l was dylrg FOR u record TO run On-one that
wouiu hrlng me tho sympathy of the people. and
~ occurred-mind me-" he said IL slowly, 1T
simply occurred TO me us a business mani beg
pardon for saying II" and the tears came 10 his
eyes hut II occurred TO me II you could be
sh!ed on our trai then, and the people should
ma itont; why would be nominated and unRn-
imously elected"
Then be added, with long sigh: Your COM.
ing ana the lecture you delivered settled me
Win the people, was d-e-f-e-a-t-e-d!"