Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-18
ROAD OF MANY CURVES.
Experience Of a California Constable,
Formerly Of Maine.
Story o; a Unique Railroad Trip Warranted
True in Every Detail.

Tn. Almeda. California, Dolly I'm
cis.al ot recent dates has the following
story of the experience of Constable
George f. Clarke, q native OF PASSPORT.
Maine and whose wife was a kenne-
bee county girl. We give the tale as
tt, r,ncinal tells it with no comment
~ the truthfuiness Of California con-
s,aoles and journalists.
constable George Z. Clarke had
"a elegant trip yesterday in which
Business and pleasure were in rare
CT animation. 1t is rarely that he mas
SAT-, an opportunity for touring in the
ordinary course of business, and ne
appreciated the opportunity TO the
fall. He went to the summit of Mt.
Tama!pais to serve a summons.
1T Was a beautiful day and the trip
is wonder. I never had such a
good time. That railway up the
mountain is one of the most wonder
fui in the world. It took two hours To
get TO the top after starting from the
city. and then went to the fine hotel
and had {. fine dinner.
The greatest thing about that road
up the mountain is the way it curves.
| II is the crookedest read in the world.
Ii is all curves. 1t is only two miles
ard a half 10 the summit in a direct
liz. from Mill Valley. but by the rail-
ay' it is eight miles. II couldn't be
toe long for me. Why, l looked out
the window and could see the side
wheels of the locomotive the whole
tilEe The engine was behind push
Ing, going up. They say there are 291
curves in that road. The book says
| there is 4 stretch of 30 feet of
straight track. but l watched for it
tanc could not see it, 7,"r-
I Once the engineer wanted a chew
% tobacco. and as the engine was be-
hind the conductor went out on the
frort platform Of the front car. and
| when we got to real sharp curve.
arc the train doubled on itself. all he
had to do was to reach across the
curve and hand the plug to the en-
gineer. Oh. 1t was great. I tell you"
What did Clarke care if the road
twisted and wound about in circles.
and hack-tracked on itself? The
| more curves the better it was for the
constable. Every additional circle
| made by the eccentric railway meant
additional mileage. 1t was a picnic
Let 'er curve, said Clarke softly to
himself. While the Alameda con-
stable vas enjoying the beauties of
nature On the mountain side he was
having his expenses paid and so
hiuch a mile besides. No constable
OUT to serve q summons ever met
viii; a railroad which was such a
| dream, such an ideal twister. Had
Clarke designed the railway himself
| for the special purpose of a mileage
increaser it couldn't have been better
| He had a summons to serve on. a.
| II. ruckney. formerly Of this burg,
but now engineer OF the Mt. Tamal-
| ,lais Halfway. So Clarke went to, the
top. The hotel there is tip-top,"
said Clarke.
coming down. said Clarke while
| | was figuring on the size of those
| curves we were making. and leaning
out to look down the mountain fell
Oil. rolled over don't know how
many times. but didn't get hurt
| much. and after awhile came to a
stop and gaZed about dazed like. I
thought il was all off with me, for I
had % get back TO the city, and had
left the train somewhere on the
mountain and was sure would have
to walk to Mill Valley.
Il began 10 look about me and
discovered ! was lying near the track
OF enc Of those curves. The curve
had saved me from rolling to the
bottom of the mountain. While Z
was figuring the thing out l heard d
putting and along came the cars. n
waved to the engineer The knew me as
lad served a paper on HIM and h.
stopped and picked me up all hunky-
dCry.'