Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-10-04
ONE TRAIN EACH DAY
THE FUNNY METHODS OF A FUNNY
LITTLE RAILROAD.

Miles to Get q Forgotten Pipe.
"Just hold up your umbrella, sir, and
she'll stop at once" was the CHEEKY
response given an inquiry as to the
possibility Of boarding an approaching
train on It's way from Wadebridge to
BALDWIN. two queer old towns In Corn
wall, England. Up went the umbrella,
and sure enough the driver shut OH
steam and pulled up just in front OF
the would be passenger. And what n
sight it was.
The engine was constructed III
George StepLenson's time AMI. l be-
lieve. under his personal supervision.
But the carriages! There were two OF
them. first and third class. respective
ly, The first class accommodation
consisted of an open truck. such as one
sees daily in New York carting cotton
bales or other merchandise. but pro-
vided with some benches. Rude anu
uncomfortable as II seemed. however,
it was luxurious compared to the third
class carriage. which was neither more
nor less than Il common closed van.
such as cattle or furniture are con-
vcyed in. and boastcd neither seats,
buffers nor springs. Third class fare
was but n cents. but the first class
passengers were mulcted in the sum
of - cents for Journey of barely
seven miles.
The engine driver, who officiated in
cidcntally rs conductor. brakeman.
guard and porter. came around collect
Ing the tariff.
\ little conversation elected some
surprising facts In connection with
this absurd out Of date line. Formerly
II had been the custom to sell tickets ut
the termin. little triangular blue and
white bits OF pastebOard. with hole
in the middle. so that the ticket col
lcctor (alsO engine driver. stokcr, etcD
could file them away on a string. But.
alas. the ravages OF time spare not
even railway tickets, and eventually
they were all worn out. So now the
fares are collected on hoard. The rate
Of speed was strictly limited to ten
miles an hour. but incidental delays.
such as picking up passengers. chasing
stray hats. removing cattle or sheep
lEoiil tDc tOph up 81 tihtC
that not infreQuently an hour and a
half or more was consumed I'm cover
ing the short distance. I may mention
that passengers picked up on the way
side paid no regular fare. but merely
tipped the engineer.
The need OF time tables was I'M
known, for the train ran but one way
each day. and arranged the time Of de-
parturc to suit intending travellers. 1t
is related with much gusto in those
parts that two commercial travellers
once arrived at Eodwin just In time tc
see the train round II curve some quar-
ter of n mile off. Turning to the aged
station master, Mr.. Worth, one Of
them inquired Mt what hour the next
train would leave. DAY after tOmor-
row." laconically answered that Off
cial.
The astOnislIcd drummer looked at
him pityingIy and. nn.!gius his COM
panion. whispered. Poor fellow: he's
crazy" But they were soon unde-
ceived AID. learning the true state Of
thecase, hired cart Mt some expense
TO accomplish their journey. What was
their modification, after proceeding n
couple Of miles. to sec the train put
back to Bodwin. because. as they sub
sequently discovered. the engineer had
forgotten to bring his pipe along!
An interesting function always took
place whenever an incline was reached.
The driver. having regulated the speed
Of his iron horse. would climb out on
the front Of the engine. and, sitting
between the buffers. strew sand on the
rails: occasionally it has happened
that. the supply OF sand proving: insi:f-
ficicnt. the engine would steam away
to the depot in search OF more.
The country through which the little
railway passes is of high order Of
beauty and affords Elany picturesque
glimpses. Bodwin itself Is Il quaint lit
tie town that dates back To tine days of
the PhOenicians anl in later times was
of much Importance. This may lie
judged from the fact that II supported
n cathedral and no less than Is other
churches. The remains of an old lcp"r
house are still to be seen. coEnnInor.l
tive Of the terrible scouryc that in 1850
ravagcd the whole country around But,
alackaday. the solemn march of prog
ress is already beginning to destroy
this relic Of bygone days, and the ruth
less hand of contractors and navvies
are paving the way for an ordinary.
common. everyday service of expresses
and milk trains, and the inhabitants
are deploring the loss Of their steady
going, II slow and uncomfortable, old
train.-Los Angeles Times.