Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1896-11-05

AOOuoi OoJOSeS "OASf ~ SS~i
discernible, and the cattle, of which
there were plenty, peaceful cropped
the grass fifty yards away, undismay-
ed by the iron monster that dashed
past, breathing out smoke and steam.
On the train few, the four screech-
es of the whistle and the changing OF
the bell giving warning at road cross
ings. Stations were Numbered past,
each with its little group gathered to
see the Bryan train go by, and their
shrill cheers sounded for the frsg-
ment of the second amid the din
But no stops were made. The white
arms were up on the signal post, and
the engineer from his side shouted
HAll Clear" to the fireman on the
other, who made q like response, the
iron clutch on the mail car caught
the mail bag, and on the ponderous
train whirled.
sEyENTY.sIx NILES AN HOUR.
A milepost cleaned ahead. The
engineer pointed to it and took out
his watch. Then, after holding his
time-piece, while the wind that came
IN at the front window like a wall
blew his hair all pompadour, be timed
his iron steed. The track was straight
as die, the grade slightly decend-
ing. Our speed seemed appalling. l
held on for dear life, and looked right
ahead with fleeting mlsgivings as to
the sacredness Of the right of way OF
passenger trains on the Wabash.
Another mile-post came in sight, and
as it dashed by "Chris" called out in
voice that sounded as though it
came through the roarings Of the gale
at sea.
"Fifty seconds-72 miles an hour"
l tried to shout my congratula-
tions, but he held up his hand warn
ingly, and kept his eye on the track.
Almost before you could count
another mile post glittered past, and
he came over and shouted in my ear:
"Forty-seven seconds. Now you
can tell your friends that you rode on
an engine that was making over
seventy-six miles an hour"
Perhaps the passengers behind may
not have regarded the speed as any
thing unusual. Perhaps the presiden'
tial candidate in the rear thought
it nothing compared to the rate at
which he fancies he is travelling to
that hite pillared mansion on Penn
sylvania avenue in the city OF magnih-
cent distances, which is the highest
goal of American Ambition. But to
actually realize the speed at which
one travels one must be clinglng to
the seat of forty-five ton locomo-
tive, one side Of you roasting from
close proximity to the boilerhead, the
wind buffeting your face, while the
glitterlng rails seem to rush forward
to meet you, only to be remorselessly
trodden under the flying feet OF your
snorting steed.
And right here the writer wishes
10 place on record his undying AMI
mostly toward those people who, with
. train flying after them, display
such lagardliness-if he is not coin
ng word-in getting off the track.
Occasionally a YEARLY Waggles or
Dusty Rhodes, or trackmen pursuing |
heir work under the hot sun, would
leave in sight, if anything on earth
ou!d be more exasperating than the
ength of time they stayed on the
rack, or the slowness and delbera-
ion with which they moved of as
he train neared them, the writer has
lot experienced it in his journey
trough life. Had he known just
which one of the many spigots to
urn-of course, splgots is not the
roper term, but I don't know the
light one-or the lever the push or
'ull, some Of the leisurely gentlemen
7ould have got a dose of scalding
Vater as we thundered past that would
ave accelerated their movements the
loxt time train overtakes them.
But, with one exception, engine las
lealt out no death-giving blows on