New-York tribune., 1898-12-11

only o'clock Western time and so ne WAS An
hour ahead of time. 1t was u o'clock by NM
time when the train was due. He had waited
only a few moments when big train came
rafting along He saw the headlight mare ~
through the darkness, and ne stepped out ana
swung his lantern. The train drew nearer ana
nearer and slowed up, and finally came 70
full stop. Then the clergyman discovered that
he had pulled down long freight. he was
speechess with surprise. but the engineer
wasn't. When he learned the condition OF AZ
fairs he broke loose with a torrent OF abuse, 70
which the minister made no reply. The eng-
neer finally climbed back his engine and
opened the throttle. 1t was cold winter morn
ing and the engine creaked, pufed. snorted.
wheezed and the wheels spun frantcally in get
ting the big train started. Finally he got un-
der way and left the clergyman behind, but stu
ignorant Of his time schedule being awry.
He pondered over the situation, and finally
came to the conclusion that the passenger train
was late and that this freight was put in ahead
on a special schedule. About ten minutes later
he saw another headlight ha7r up in the dis
tancc AMI felt confident that this was the pas
senger SO he stepped out and swung his Ian
tern. The result was that the train slowed up
and stopped and when he discerned its outline
through the darkness he was almost stunned
to see that he had pulled down another his
freight-as he soon learned, the second section
OF the one that he had first stopped There was
nothing to dc but to apologize and stand the
abuse This engineer also got his train under
way with difficulty and failed to comment ON
the time difference. 'u
After this the minister said grimly that' he
etc r,t, hot thro,, ~
until he got his train. and few moments fAtef
when he another headlight cateening along
toward the station be manfully. although win
a sinking sensation at his heart, stepped out
and tagged it, This time he pulled down .
heavy construction train. and when he saw the
result he threw up his hands in despair. The
conductor OF this train proved to be a cordial
sort OF citizen. who wasn't greatly put out He
explained where all :he trouble was, after hear
ing the clergymans story. and then said:
Here. you had better get this train with
and will take you up TO Columbus That
will put stop to your iaggng everything that
comes along"
This suggestion as accepted, and when the
passenger train rolled into the station at Co
lumbus the minister climbed on board. When
the conductor came through for his ticket the
minister said, genally
Il saved you lot Of trouble this morning..
How was that?" said the conductor.
Il was going TO get on down at C" said
the minister ''and was TO flag you but instead
/ happened to flag a construction train. and
the conductor brought me up here TO save the
trouble Of stopping you
An ominous look came into the conductors
eye as he said in forbidding way:
'Whaf did Won fac him With"
why. lantern. Of course" said the clergy
man
what did you do with it afterward?' said
the conductor and the lines around his mouth
hardened. ...-. f'.
why said the minister, instinctiveiy feel
ing that there was something wrong. Il put 1t
down on the PLATFORM where the agent could
get it when he came along"
YES" said the conductor. YEARLY. Just
where 1t would flag anything that came along.
Next time you want to flag Train, parsOn, you
get an agent to do It for you. You stopped me
all right down there, and II hadn't put the
light out and put the lantern away you would
have stopped everything that came aong there
until the agent got down"