Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-11-03
fAMPERING
WITH A SIGNAL.

We were on the platform at Kings
Cross. The evening train for Aberdeen
was drawn up. ready for Its journey.
"A fne train, SIR" l said to a guard
Of another later train, whom l knew
slightly.
Aye, aye, sir, It is a fine train. this
one. But-though say IT as shouldn't
its not the train 1t was a year ago,
when we used to run up against the
London and Northwestern every night"
oh" said l, interested at once. 80
gou were one of the guards in tina:
great race. were you? 1t must have
been tremendously exciting"
Exciting, sir! Why, could tell you
a regular story about it, that night as
we ran from Kings Cross here to New
castle without a stop. That was some
thing like a run, wasn't itT'
1T was, indeed. and II 1t is not trou-
bling you too much, I'd like to heaf
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 a stop.
then on to Berwick. Edinburgh, Dun
dee and Aberdeen. Three nights before,
though We had gone a large part of the
distance at eighty miles an hour, the
other company had beaten US 10y just
about FIVE minutes.
"But this night all our officials not
only hoped, but had made all prepara-
lions both for beating the London and
Northwestern, and also breaking the
record.
Il was sitting at home the day be-
fore the eventful run was to take place.
smoking my pipe and thinking deeply,
when | was aroused by a sharp knock
at the door. On opening it l found a
tall, fairhaiTed gentleman of about so,
who asked smilngly if Mr.. James
that's my namc-was at home. and If
he could see him..
Il informed him Of my identity and
invited him in.
We'll, l have learned-by what
means | need not say-what probably
most of you on the line think is quite
/, secret, that there is to be very de-
termined attempt by your train to NOR
row night to beat the record. as well rs
the other comrany's train. l thought
1t as well to call and ask your private
opinion Of the chance of success. if you
would not be adverse TO giving me it.
on the q T. You have doubtless heard
of b X Coz
Il nodded, and he smiled again.
d" Exactly. Well, we have the Offer
of a bet Of f2.JOU to 1880 that your
train does not beat the London and
Northwestern to- morrow night. | am
of course inclined to accept the bet. but
thought il wise just to drop in and ask
your opinion first ton the strict q. t.
as to the chances of your success. l
reckon a pony" would be very wei
come, wouldn't it. for yourself, and n
'tenner" for each of the othersE
"'You can depend on us to- morrow
night, sir, said |. 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 a stop
He had a 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. l
suppose? | 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. I suppose?
" No. | think both contingencies are
very unlikely, the latter especially. TIL.
only awkward piece of this line is that
between ArbrOath and Montrose, where
we have only a single line to work OH.
That necessarily is ticklish, but it'll be
all right tomorrow night
Amid a 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-
gine and tender-our very best, l need
scarcely say-with five coaches and the
guards van.
For the first time there was no stop
page at York, through Darlington and
Durham. As you know, we always felt
uncertai-. about this piece of road be-
to,een 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 a ten-minutes'
stay we were actually five minutes be
fore any record time for this journey.
"All went well to Edinburgh, over
the Forth bridge, over the Tay bridg"
and through Dundee, until we began
10 get within measurable distance of
berdeen. 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-
pected time.
I'VE had gone about a couple of miles
when l fancied I felt slight slacken
ing of our speed. Before another mile
was covered this was more plainly evi |
dent, and when ! heard those pOrten