Mower County transcript., 1905-08-30
Pl'Rl;IEslDIENT II RAN EN- CINE

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Head OF Railway Company Performed
Extraordinary Service to His
...,.s< Own Regret.
"say, will you tell me how can get
special train?" gasped a stranger, as
ne ran up to rather plainly dressed
man of middle age who was standing
on the platform of the Bangor & Aroo-
| stock railroad station in Bangor,
snort time ago. This railroad, by the
way, is the one that taps the hunting
country in the Maine woods.
my wife is very sick in ----~(a
small town about 100 miles away not
expected to live," he hurriedly ex-
| planned. 49,"
Eyes, I'll fix it for you all
right" replied the other, who hap
pened to be Frank W. Cram, the
president of the railroad. Incl
| dentally Mr.. Cram worked his way
to his present position from one of the
most humble places on the road. His
nrst employment with the company
was as an engine hostler Then he
worked for time in the machine shop.
Later he served few months in a tel
egraph Office. Afterward he started to
| hre locomotive, became an engineer,
and rose from one post to another unit.
| to-day he has entire control of the rail-
| road and is said to be one of the most
| practical railroad men in the country
The telegrapher was away at the mo-
ment, and Mr.. Cram sat down at the
key and sent message to the round
house ordering an engine and one car
TO be made ready. The answer soon
came back from the shops that there
was no engineer available. Mr.. Cram
wired that the engine and car be sent
down to the station under the charge
| OF the fireman. Then he sent mes
sage along the line to clear che road
for special train. In the meantime
| the passenger was in the highest state
| of excitement.
When the engine and car were finally
brought up to the platform, and there
seemed to be some unnecessary delay,
no engineer being in sight, the passen-
ger began to swear.
Mr.. Cram paid no attention to this,
but when everything was ready told
the passenger to get into the car, and
then the versatile president climbed
into the engine cab, opened up the
throttle, and the train was soon speed
ing on it's way.
After making good time for 80 miles
! ho
The train came to sudden stop, and it
was found that the running gear on
one side had broken down, which ne
cessitated putting that side of the en-
gine out of commission. This is an op.
GRAFTON that requires good deal of
Skill But, nothing daunted, the presi-
| dent and the fireman ished out the
! proper tools and set about tying up"
that side, as the railroad men term 1t.
The passenger came forward bub-
bling with rage. He shouted: II never
saw such One-hOrse road in all my
life!" and then began to swear at Mr..
Cram, never dreaming that he was
talking to the president of the road or
seeming to realize that it was owing
only to the most fortunate combination
of circumstances that he was on his
way at all.
! Mr.. Cram quietly accepted the abuse,
and when the break was repaired 60.
back in the engine and started it SLOW
ly again, as the fireman, with a crow
bar, inch by inch forced the heavy ma
chine off it's center. Running on one
side doesn't interfere much with the
| speed of the engine after it is once un-
der way, and soon they were flying to-
ward their destination, which was
reached without further mishap.
AS the passenger hurried along the
platform he came abreast of the engine
just as Mr.. Cram, covered with dirt
and grease climbed down to meet the
station agent, who was rushing toward
him.
| "President Cram. we did everything
we could from this end to give you
clear track" said the agent. Il hope
nothing got in your way"
"President Cran!" the passenger
shouted in astonishment.
| "Mr. Cram" he said in confusion. II
had no idea that it was you when
spoke so harshly down the road. I'm
very sorry, and want to apologize. :"
At the same time he extended his hand.
The president completely ignored the
Outstretched hand.
"You needn't apologize, SIR" he said
to the mortified passenger. II cOuld
stand your abuse we'll enough. But if
ever should hear one of our employees
| being sworn at and abused in the man
ner in which you have done to me that
| man would not ride another mile on
this road, much less have the entire
railroad put at his disposal