Evening journal., 1900-10-29
WAYFARER'S NOTEBOOK
If Read Before Supper it Will Aid Your
Digestion There is Nothing Pat
In 1t to Lull You to Sleep
Ryan Assaulted by OYstermen

Barney Ryan, of this city, an engi-
neer on the Delaware railroad, has an
abundance of nerve, but if the Way
farer is informed correctly, Mr.. Ryan
recently met with an experience in
oxford, Nd, in which his iron nerve
and courage both failed to stand the
severe test AS Is well known by per-
sons acquainted with Oxford and its
oyster industries, there is but one
street in the town. and this thorough
fare is built of powdered oys-
ter shells and extends from
the oyster wharves to the
Pennsylvania railroad station. This
road or street is a favorite sprinting
ground and is also appreciated by
wheelmen and men with fast horses.
Mr.. Ryan's adventure has been the
cause of his appreciation of this level
piece of road. His run on the railroad
causes him to spend many evenings in
Oxford and his love Of oysters made
him frequent the vicinity of the oyster
houses. He has been warned on sew
eral occasions by his crew. and told to
keep away from the wharves as des-
perate Oystermen frequently perpe-
tate Outrages upon persons found wan
dering alone there. Big, brave Mr.
Ryan hooted at the warning, but on
last Wednesday night his crew gave
him a life-like and realistic illustra-
ton of what an assault by ruffianly
oystermen was like.
1t was Monday night. and the crew
heard Mr.. Ryan say that he was go
ing to visit the oyster wharves on his
lay over in Oxford. The crew put
their heads together and concocted a
dark scheme.
When the train was safely sidetrack-
ed the crew slipped away and disguis-
ed themselves as negro oystermen.
donning oil skins and SOU westers.
They were a formidable looking set
and they put themselves on the watch
for the brave engineer.
Mr. Ryan fearlessly invaded the hal
lowed precincts of the oystermen and
the boys were there to receive him.
They surrounded him and pulled him
about. His nerve gave way and he
begged fcg money but they were
heartles. lie thought his hour
had come and sent up a silent prayer
for his wife and family at home. The
/ disguised train crew were having all
kinds Of fun and as a wind up blacked
Mr. Ryans face and hands with burnt
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loose to inspect him This was his
chance and he bolted ror his train.
The crew took after him but it was OF
no use for he had a good road and fear
lent him wings He distanced his pur-
suers and when he reached the bunk
room of his train he thanked the Lord
that he was alive and vowed vengeance
upon all Oystermen. The crew re-
turned by a circuitous route and after
washing up appeared in the bunk
room. They saw the engineer lying
in a bunk painting and inquired the
cause. "Oh, boys. have had an
awful time. I was set upon by a ganl
Of nigger oystermen and had to fee
for my life. / am lucky to be here fol
they blacked my face and hands anC
as soon as I got a chance ] ran"
The crew sympathized with the en-
gineer and he informed them that h
would be prepared for the oystermeI
next trip.
When he made his next run to Ok
ford Mr.. Ryan armed himself with
big polk stalk pistol. but on reaching
The Trappe, which is the next station
! to Oxford. he found that rust had i'm
paired the weapons usefulness and h
did not visit the oyster wharf on tha
evening nor has he been there since.