The Wichita daily eagle., 1895-02-09
HOW THEY DID 1t
TWO ENGLISH LADS WHO HADN'T ANY
TIME TO SPARE.
They Had to Overtake the Golden Gate spe-
ciol So a to Catch the Steamer For Japan.
A EaiIroad OmciaIs Story Of Two Cool

They Had TO Overt3ke tho Golden O3ee spe-
ciol So a to Catch the steamer For Japan.
A Railroad Omciars Story Of Two Cool
Ones.
1.-The English tourist Is often . surpris-
ing person." said a railroad official, and
/ have frequently had cause TO wonder at
him Some time ago had an experience
with two English tourists that was out OF
the ordinary Twas in a large western
city ir charge Of the passenger business OF
transconrirent:i railroad which ran two
special trains a week to the Pacific coast.
Ono afternoon was about to close my
desk and go home when the local ticket
agent came into my Office with two
young men. 1t was not necessary TO look
1t them twice to understand that they
were Englishmen. They were the typical
tall. big boned. blond haired men whom
one recognizes Immediately as being Eng
lish. They were dressed in ultra English
style and carried themselves with the self
confidence and Independence OF men who
thoroughly believe in themselves and are
utterly Indifferent to the estimate placed
upon them by others. call them men,
though they could not have been over Is
they wished to see me about matter OF
business. assured them that was as
their disposal and waited, wondering what
they could want Of me- The taller Of the
two acted as spokesman
1--we want to get to San Francisco
he said. in time to connect with tho next
steamer for Japan
II am very sorry. replied, but our
Il
steamer passed through here two hours
ago
They looked serious at this, but did
not seem overcome.
IL suppose said the tall one, that tho
next regular train will be too late to con-
meet with the steamer
oh, yes, said /, you would be do
layed about a week in San Francisco
oh, that will never doe he replied.
We must catch that steamer. You will
have to make some arrangement by which
we can oyertake this special train
II was paralyzed by the cool assurance
with which he suggested this. The train
he wished to overtake was known as the
Golden Gate special and was q record
breaker 1t was one Of the fastest trains
on our road, and we were proud of the
time it made, yet here were couple OF
Youngsters who wanted to know whether
they could not arrange to catch 1t with
the same calmness that they might have
asked for . cup of coffee. i smiled on
them pityipgly.
Don't you know said 1, that this is
an exceptionally fast train, and that 1t IS
almost impossible to beat II, Why, even
II 1t were possible to do what you asked,
the expense would put il out Of the ques
tion.'
They listened calmly and without
change of expression. Then the one who
had spoken before said:
"'Yes, | know all about that, but We
have got to catch that boat We arc at
tached to the British embassy at Tokyo
and have been travelling on leave OF ab
sence Our time will be up the very day
that that boat reaches Japan. We must
be there at that time, be- ause we have
promised to. We had intended to catch
the previous boat, but we were having
such a good time that we thought we
would chance it and wait over. Now, moth
ing can be allowed to interfere with our
plan
Well said, Il don't see how can
aid you. sorry as / may be for you
The Englishman looked at me in
bored sort of way and said:
Il don't see why there is any need OF
arguing about this. We want a special
train to overt-ke that special, and IL We
can t do Ii any other way we will have 10
follow 1t across the continent.
Il looked in amazeIneDt at these two
clerks-that is what they amounted TO,
suppose at least what we would consider
them in this countrywide were coolly
asking for q special train to cross the con-
tipent. was not at all convinced that
they appreciated the enormity OF their de-
mand In fact / felt more amused than
credulous.
/ suppose / said, you have some
idea OF what it will cost you to do this''
"'Oh. we are willing to pay whatever
It is, was the reply in drawling tone.
1T will cost you $500 IL we overtske
the special at her first stop, said /, $500
If we have to vait for the second stop and
81 600 if we 60 clear across 1t is barely
possible that we can make q connection at
the first stop
The Englishman made no other reply
than to thrust his hand into his trousers
pocket and pull out big roll OF bills. He
counted out 81, 900 and laid them down
on the desk.
"'Of course he said. I presume II we
make the connection that you speak Of l
will get back what have paid in excess
/ Il saw then that he was in earnest. l
l took out s3o0 to guarantees US and returned
the rest TO him with the understanding
that be was to pay the conductor, II be
/ missed the first connection, according 10
/ the terms had outlined. l at once set the
machinery In motion to get out the train.
| II required good deal OF work. In the
( first place we had no engine In which the
/ fire was up and found it would save time
I to have one brought on from another sta
I ton Then we had TO send for an engineer
who would he cspabie Of running the train
' at the high rate Of speed ths. was de
manded and still avoid unnecessary risks.
/ AS ours was in the main only n single
I track road, we had TO telegraph all along
I the line to keep the track clear Of freight