The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-02-12
Alex Little Strings"
 A Great TrdUeler
By c. H. MANDY

1 ther up a persimmon tree than Frank had been from home"
 Frank was so taken back by this as- sertion that for once speech failed him his ind gnation and astonishment were so great that he swelled up like a toad ,, Just as he was about to bust he re- covered his voice and turned loose a stream of explosives that would lave done credit to the first mate of New England fishing smack, where "cnssing
 Is a science or rather fine at. Alex laughed loud and long and finally cen vinced his friend he was only 'joshirg ] and induced him to resume his yarn. Frank then told the following incident:
 In his early days as an engineer he drifted down to Mexico, where he soon got a job on a fast run through wild and mountainous country. At ore 10 mt of the road was an incline, dowr which Frank ran his train anything from 45 miles an hour to three miles minute. generally the latter. One day the engine jumped the track and turned over and down the high embankment at that roint. As is well known person thinks W tn lightning-lille rapidity when facing death or danger, and so 1t was with Frank as he started down the embankment with his engine.
 Thoughts of all the mean things he had l ever done flashed through his mind and l he tried to recall some of the prayers | his pious old mother had taught him when a child. The only one that came to his mind as the engine turned over the first time was Now I lay me down 10 Sleep" but as he murmured the words they struck him as being hardly appropriate. especially as there was a knockout forever In sight. On the next turn the only thing he could remember was Lord make us thankful Tor what we are about to receive" but as he said the words he realized he was thank Ing the Lord for what would soon be his finish and he passed that up. The third time the engine turned over 1t str lch he stump of a tree and by some 1nirac- ulous reason threw Frank out of the win dow and continued its mad plunge to the bottom of the ravine.
 | When he found himself clear of the engine and beyond a. few bruises un- | hurt, his religious thoughts vanished and in fl voice that could be heard above | the hssing steam and crashing ma
 chinery he yell, Go wonder, you plank dash blankety, blank" and climbed
 back to the track. Knowing full vel
 the unreasonableness of the laws Of Mex | co in regard to railroad accidents. and not taking any chances. he lit ont fol l the American border and shook the dus | of Mexico from lis feet forever.
 l When Frank concluded his story aeat
 silence ensued for fully minute, ther | Alex said, in a voice filled with gravi ty: "All who believe that yarn, sivt ,ne five dollars" That was the las straw. Words were entirely inadequate
 to express Franks feelings, so ne dit
 what an Irishman can do under an,
 and all circumstances, doffed his coa
 and go; ready to fight He furthern1or'
 offered to fight Alex with one hand uet
 behind him. Then 1t was the welkir
 rang (whatever that means) with laugh
 ter. It was the first time Alex had hat a laugh on Frank In many years. s'
 with the assistance of the crowd Frdnl was pacified and soon regained his Isua
 good hiinor. And Alex took the buncf
 10 the corner druggery and set then up to-cocoa-cola and cigars.