Mesa free press., 1897-11-19
TAMPERING
WITH A SIGNAL.

Cross. The evening train for Aberdeen
was drawn up, ready for it's journey.
"A fine train, SIR" l said to guard
of another later train, whom I knew
slightly.
Aye, aye, sir, it is fine train, this
one. But-though 1 say it as shouldn't
its not the train it was a year ago,
when we used to run up against the
London and Northwestern every night"
"Oh," said 1, interested at once, $50
you were one of the guards in that
great race, were you? 1t must have
been tremendously exciting"
Exciting, sir! Why, 1 could tell you
regular story about it, that night as
we ran from Kings Cross here to New
castle without stop. That was some
thing like run, wasn't itY'
''It was, indeed, and if it Is not trou-
bling you too much, I'd like to hear
your story just while we are waiting to
see the train Off"
Il was the guard of this train on this
particular night, sir. Our usual course
was to run to York, without stop,
then on to Berwick, Edinburgh, Dun
dee and Aberdeen. Three nights before,
though we had gone large part Of the
distance at eighty miles an hour, the
other company had beaten us by just
about five minutes.
"But this night all our officials not
only hoped, but had made all prepare
tons both for beating the London and
Northwestern, and also breaking the
record.
81 was sitting at home the day be-
fore the eventful run was to take place,
smoking my pipe and thinking deeply,
when l was aroused by sharp knock
at the door. On opening it found
tall, fair-haired gentleman Of about 80,
who asked smilingly if Mr.. James
that's my name-was at home, and if
he could see him.
81 informed him of my identity and
invited him in.
"'Well, l have learned-by what
means I need not say-what probably
most of you on the line think is quite
a secret, that there is to be very de-
termined attempt by your train to-mor-
row night to beat the record, as well as
the other company's train. / thought
it as well to call and ask your private
opinion Of the chances of success, if you
would not be adverse to giving me it,
on the Q. T. You have doubtless heard
of B & Co.?
II nodded, and he smiled again.
Exactly. Well, we have the offer
of bet Of f2,5OO to f1,5OO that your
train does not beat the London and
Northwestern tomorrow night 1 am
of course inclined to accept the bet, but
thought it wise just to drop in and ask
your opinion first ION the strict @. IT,
as to the chances of your success. l
reckon pony" would be very well
come, wouldn't it, for yourself, and a
'tenner' for each of the others?
"You can depend on us tomorrow
night, sir said I. We have all in readi-
ness, and shall certainly do the trick.
Why, bless you-though it's strictly pri-
vate-we're going to run to Newcastle
without STOP
"He had drink Of whisky with me,
and then he rose to go. %, by the BY
said he, before leaving, there's no risk
of your having to stop on the way, I
suppose? 1 mean for foolish passengers
who might get nervous at the speed
and pull the communication cord, or
anything of that sort? And there is no
part Of the rail likely to be blocked, as
there was few nights ago at Darling
ton, suppose?
"'No, think both contingencies are
very unlikely, the latter especially. The
only awkward piece Of this line is that
between Arbroath and Montrose, where
we have only single line to work on.
That necessarily is ticklish, but it'll be
all right tomorrow night
"Amid storm of cheers from the
many spectators on the platform we set
out from Kings Cross here for Aber-
deem. Our train consisted of the en-
CINE and tender-our very best, need
scarcely say-with five coaches and the
guards van.
"For the first time there was no stop
page at YORK, through Darlington ana
Durham. AS you know, we always felt
uncertain about this piece Of road be-
tween York and Newcastle, the traffic
is so heavy; but on this occasion there
was not the slightest need for any dim
mutton of speed, and as we drew up at
Newcastle platform for ten-minutes'
stay we were actually five minutes be-
fore any record time for this journey.
"All went we'll to Edinburgh, over
the Forth bridge, over the Tay bridge
and through Dundee, until we began
to get within measurable distance of
Aberdeen. found, on referring to my
watch, that now, just before entering
on the piece Of single line, we were
about fifteen minutes before our ex-