The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1905-08-03

sixteen o'clock. Watson sauntered
over to the Office and returned with
the news that they were to take pile
driving outfit up to Red Deer, on the
Calgary and Edmonton branch. En-
gine No. 157 would pull them, and they
would get their train on the G. & E.
siding, just out of Calgary. The pile
driving outfit consisted of the ma
chinery and driver, several cars loaded
with piles, and two boarding cars,
filled with the gang that operated the
piIedriver.
Nothing worthy of mention occurred
till the train stopped for water at the
first tank north of Calgary. Here the
engineer of the piledriver climbed into
the cab, and began to make himself
agreeable to the train engineer, Drake.
The particular form of agreeableness
consisted of a black bottle, which he
produced from his pocket, at frequent
intervals, and passed it to Drake. The
latter was young man who had only
lately been promoted from the position
of fireman, and the flattery of the old
er man probably had as exhilarating an
effect, as the "Old Joseph" which he
drank quite freely. And the two COM
bined made Drake resolve that he
would show his friend that he knew
how to run an engine. With every
drink he opened the throttle another
notch and leaned back in his seat
watching the track ahead of him. Up
and down grade and around curves,
that nearly made the engine jump the
rails, they flew with unabated speed.
Cassidy. on the engine, began to see
that something was wrong. and when
they stopped once more for water, he
told the conductor that the engineer
was "hitting the bottle" Watson told
Drake to run more carefully, especially
round the curves. But it was evident
that his instructions were not taken
kindly by Drake; and, when they pulled
out again, the speed was soon greater
than before. It was getting dark and
the lights had been lit, and Cassidy
looking back could see the caboose
lights swinging back and forth, as if it
would surely leave the rails. AS he
looked, he saw lantern being swung
horizontally on top of the caboose.
He shouted to the engineer that the
conductor was signalling him to stop.
brakes answer consigned Watson to
warm place, and the wild race contin-
ued.
Now Watson, seeing that his signals
were unnoticed, decided to climb over
the train to the engine, and settle mat
ters with the engineer. Any one who
has ever tried walking over swaying,
joltlng train of logs, will have an idea
of the peril that Watson encountered.
He actually crawled on his hands and
knees all the way. The long arm of
the piledriver extended over two cars,
and as the conductor was passing it,
he received blow which almost
knocked him from the train. This was
caused by the arm swinging over as the
train rounded curve Watson took
mental oath that Drake should pay
dearly for the trouble he was causing.
At last he reached the tender and
springing on to the coal, he half slid,
half ran into the cab. There was
Drake, with an empty bottle in his
hand, defying Cassidy and the fireman
who were evidently on the point of
making rush, in order to reach the
, throttle, and shut off the steam. Wat
son seized chunk of coal, and hurled
it with all his strength. It struck the
bottle and smashed it completely. In
/. an instant Cassidy had Drake by the
: throat, and was choking him into in
sensibility, while the fireman shut off
, the steam and applied the air.
When they came to standstlll, they
! brought Drake to his sober senses by
: throwing a pail of water on him, and
! then he had the pleasure of listening
. to Watson, who, in most eloquent LAM
guage, detailed his pedigree from
away back in the post-territory period,
and wound up by saying that the su-
: perintendent should hear about it.
! Drake was quite humble, and did not
: reply in kind so that it was soon over.
5 Watson rode on the engine the re-
q mainder of the trip, which was accom-
q plished in very sedate fashion. Drake
!, apologized later, and the rest OF the
{ train crew resolved to keep mum, but
, they agreed that it had been as wild q
+ ride. as they ever had without serious
e lconseUuenceH. A. ID. ANAC. s