Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1898-04-01
a RAIIlROA D MA.N'S.STORY

"a RA LIB AID MANS STORY
Conversation had turned to the subject Of
the perils Of railway life. One story sug-.
gested another, and the whole range OF ad-
venture of the railway mans life was run
through; but it was noticeable that all the
"reminiscences were of events that occurred
years ago and mostly in the new west.
There aren't any such chances and dan.
gers nowadays in this part of the country,
said the senior member of the group.
''The establishment of railroading as an
exact science has done away with the peril
and romance" agreed another. Nov, III
wager that Mr.. c. here, who hasn't been
in the business more than few years, has
found it monotonous enough routine"
He turned to the youngest member of the
company, a man who was graduated few
years ago from the University of Pennsyl-
vania and went into the service of one OF the
large railroads, where he had earned rapid
promotion.
1--WE had one little adventure that was
exciting enough for me, and it was right
within few miles of New York.
'"This is story I've never told before, be-
cause I can't prove the allegation that is
contained in it," said the young man. $50
I'll give an alias to the other party in the
affair. Directly after my graduation went
into the employ of what I'll call the Inter.
state Railroad company, and began at the
bottom as general assistant in round
house, as it was desirable for various rea-
sons that should know the business from
the bottom. From that 1 rose to be loco
motive fireman. They switched me around
a good deal, and found the engineers whom
I worked under as fine lot of fellows on the
whole as man would want to associate
with. >rass f. - '~ = |
"Such was my experience until came to-
be put on Engine No. l3, under an engineer
whom l will call Mclean. He was good
engineer, sober, efficient and dependable,
but as man he was pretty far below mark.
by nationality he was a Scotch Irishman.
He was about 40 years old, square built, with
stolid, stern face, glowering disposition,
harsh manner and heart of black hateful
ness.
"'He'n make your life hell to you, will
Mclean some of the other engineers
warned me. He's hard man.
"I guess I'll get along with him by doing
my work and keeping my mouth shut said
I, confidently
But did not know my man. From the
first he hated me because he knew was
college man and because he once saw me in
the street in evening clothes. He was man
of little speech, but that little was bitter
venom. Before I had been there a week
discovered what had to expect.
" Hustle along there, you young dude he
would say; you'll be none the worse for
little grease on them hands Of your'n.' Or it
would be: Take your college education out
there on the engine and oil her up in a
hurry
My resolve had been always to recognize
my engineer as captain and to yield uncom-
gaining acquescence to his discipline. This
/ did with Mclean, until one day he did
what, in justice to him, never saw him do
before or since; he called nae a foul name
The impulse to have it out with him then
was strong on me, but controlled myself.
eth be transferred from l3 one of these
days, Mclean said. And that day you'll
stand up to me man to man and I'll make you
swallow that word ~>~-+r~:: II Il
ut was that, have no doubt, that put
murder int2 bis heart: At the time be made
Tal days thereafter he spared me his tauiinfss.
ls % fSSa PITT f5. %s SSEs h? Fbs4s zig hs
stiff Yind Blowing and we were travelling
easily 40 failes ali hour. just before we
reached Elizabeth Mclean turned to me
sharply: szs,~>~o.@--~ ~.
"'What are you loa6n' there for?' he
cried. D'you think you're in your society
now? Take your pretty poses out on the
engine and oil her up. Step quick about it,
too
1.-The order was a strange one. He knew
perfectly well that there was no need of oil
out there at that time Moreover, at that
speed and in that high wind the task would
be by no means devoid of danger. looked
at him in surprise.
Are you scared to do it, Mr. Dude?' he
sneered
"Out I went, oil can in hand, with little
relish for my job. The wind plucked at me
like the grasp of hands, and it was no small
matter to keep from being blown away like
bit of paper. I worked along, however,
till came to the front of the cowcatcher.
There was bad place. To get around the
angle I would have to relinquish my hold
for second and grasp the bar on the fur
Their side, very ticklish bit of business. We
were approaching the station in Elizabeth
when did it. Now, I do not say that Nc
Lean was watching me, and cannot prove
that he had reckoned on that very thing, but
that is what happened:
"At the instant whenI was standing,
without hand-hold, reaching for the farther
bar, l felt great and sudden shock that
threw me off my BALANCE. With the thought
that ] was lost came the realization of the
cause. Mclean had put on the air brakes,
knowing that the fierce check would shake
me from the cowcatcher. To be thus tossed
from the cowcatcher of train going 40
miles an hour may be reckoned as tolerab]y
sure death, and l regard my escape as sort
of marvel. The instinct of self preservation
electrified every muscle for the one chance
that remained, to throw myself off to one
side. kicked out fercely, struck on the
wooden platform of the station, rolled and
bounded with momentum that brought me
up on my feet and sent me rushing down the
boards at tremendous pace until I collided
with a baggage man and we both went
sprawling. was unhurt, but 20 feet be-
yond the point where my mad rush ended
was the big wing Of the fence that borders
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