The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1901-10-10
BY WILL LlSENBEE.

my fortune i'll Colorado. Alter
spending nearly two years in pros
pecting in different parts OF the
State, resolved to go to Los Vegas
New Mexico, and try to get u position
on the railroad, as l always had 4
hiking for that sort Of work.
I Well, 1 only got as far as Trinidad
when found myself without dollar
En the world, and of course 1 had to
stop over and see If could not get
Something to do
4 went 20 the Sante Be railroad sta
fion and applied for work, but failed
10 get any encouragement Then l
(went TO the different tralnmen and
&nade dillgent inquiries, but none of
Ehem knew Of any job that was open.
A conductor who was then running
local freight on this line, promised
10 give me a position as brakeman, If
D would remain in Trinidad two
weeks. His head brakeman was go
bng to quit him. lie informed me, and
could have the place If l chose 20
Remain there till the vacancy oc-
kurred; but two days later he was re-
moved to another division Of the road,
tnd was loft without any prospect Of
employment in Trinidad
\ | then resolved 10 go TO Los Vegas
once, but, having no money to pay
Mny fare, / was at loss to know what
Do do. At last, however, decided to
10 to the railroad station and endeav-
r to get some OF the brakemen on
he freights TO let me ride.
When l arrived at the station l
ound that long freight train had
ust pulled up and was standing on
he side tract. to wait the coming
tie eastern-bound express.
first approached the conductor,
nd explaining my condition. asked
Jim to carry ine over his division. but
e dismissed me with the curt reply
bat his train was 4 freight train
nd he was forbidden to carry passen-
ers.
Discouraged but not despairing,
vent to the head brakeman and
bought to induce him to allow me to
"Got any money!" he asked.
"Not cent" / replied, "but--"
H"Youll have to T7alk then" he said.
hd passed on.
tried the other brakeman with
ke result; then l began to feel pret-
blue l walked up the track along
be side of the train, wishing that l
ad never seen the State of Colorado.
Presently stopped TO admire new
comotive that was in the train near
centre. 1t was beautiful piece
workmanship, fresh from the
hops and was being taken south for
be Mexican Central.
While was standing there the
ain was uncoupled just back OF the
comotive and the lower section
cked down 10 another switch.
few minutes later the express
Tent by and then the section that
ld been run back was brought on to
e main track and went laundering
Its way to Ration. You see the
ains had to be pulled up this long
FADE in sections. then, and an engine
as kept at the point to do the work.
As soon as the train had disappeared
the slope. | heard the bell ring,
Pd then the other section began TO
4oYe forward. Not until that mo-
Hent when tho disagreeable sensa-
Pm Of being left behind took posses
Pm of me. did l have the remotest
lea Of attempting to steal ride.
en it occurred TO me that might
SLY ride on the engine at the rear
q OF the train, and no one be the
ser; but 1 hesitated TO do such a
ns, and should have given up the
pa had not the brakeman pointed 10
engine and limited that if | didn't
ye backbone enough to get aboard
ride, | ought to walk.
nus encouraged. / ran forward and
ped aboard the moving engine
en- crept into the tender and seat.
myself where would oe hid from
observation Of any one who might
~ along the train. knew that the
'keman would shield me II he
uu' but must not allow the con
e'or TO discover my presence.
ne train was now moving faster
FASTER and the clatter OF tn,
eeis over joint in the rails told
'nat we were passing over The
nch and on to the main track.
e soon struck the long. stes
ue, and moved very slowly. There
level space, quarter of mil,
perhaps, Just below the last
ue OF two miles We had reached
and We're starting up the las
re' when the engine stuck.
neard the loud, rapid putting of th.
'notlye as the wheels slipped OF
track, and then the train gralu
came to a standstill. Then W,
an 70 move backward, aud | knew
were backing on to the level snac,
set n new start. z
ne train moved pretty fast dow,
grade and ! rightly guessed tla
eAx'rcor was out or lumor.
. 'iad crossed the level spacc Mn,
nsa me down gade below II. wle,
"ert brought almost 10 a stand
Inc engine gave ln,,a ..., =,