The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-01-15


actly welcome, although the whole it is a vel
interesting part of the world" said Mr.. Isham r
counting some of the experiences that befell them
on the trip You constantly running on to
the unexpected. that there is danger of be-
Ing wearied by lack of variety.
We met who has the most trying
position of which l know. He's an American
big. broad shoudered. athletic chap with the
polish of a university and the breezy open
hearted manner of uue westcrner
He is an engineer, and it is mis- duty to see
that the Chilean division OF the Trans-Andean
railroad is kept free from land and snow slides
That doesn't sound so bad, does it. because
you can have no conception of what it means
less you have seen the country. The Trans-An,
dean railroad is thirdrai system in the strctest
sense of the word. That third rail is located be-
tween the narrow gauge strips of steel on which
the cars travel, and is cogged affair into which
teeth on the driving wheels of the locomotive
slip giving sufficient grip to pull the heavy trains
up the almost perpendicular course.
On the Chilean side of the Andes it is a case
of climbing almost every foot Of the way, and at
times it seems though the locomotive must fall
backward on the that follow.
This chap lives in a little stone house close by
Inca lake, in the Andes 1900 feet above sea
level He has gang of natives under him. and at
certain seasons of the year they are kept the
jump battling with slides, which bury the
est kind of work 10 clear them
Then the mountains have a playful habit Of
casting off a good big slice of rock and dirt which
comes tumbng down across the tracks and puts
an end to travel until it has been removed.
Sometimes these pranks result seriously and
there's many lonely grave along the right OF way
TO indicate the last resting place OF some poor
section man who was buried beneath slide. Last
|i8ter = Jew square acres OF snow and rock and
ice came crashing down a crew that were en-
deayoring to clear the tracks. Part of them
capped untouched and Immediately began digging
out their fellow workers At the end of 26 hours
they came upon a sorry fgure-a battered section
man who had borne the full brunt of the slide.
And what do you think he did when they
pulled him out more dead than alive? Berated
them for leaving him buried SO long.
You're fine lot he stcrmed why, you left
me in there two hours. 1t wasn't your fault that
didn't die
And the hands on the clock had started on
their third round trip since the slide went
him!
THE place this engineer calls home is one Of
the most Godforsaken spots | saw They
try to keep the road open the year round, but
there three of four months every winter when
trains are few ann far between and the district
is virtually cut of from the outside world.
The scenery along the route is impressive
but somehow didn't envy this particular Amer
lean his job.
Crossing the crest of the Andes and getting
down to the Argentine plains you strike OF the
widest gauge railroads in the world. Service on
the line is not bad-in some respects.
They have single and double compartment
cars for male and female passengers. 1t M
Ill fortune to draw seat in double compart-
ment with three Spanards. Now, they are not
exactly the travelling companions you would
lect for 24hour ride across the plains, journey
that is trying under the most favorable conditions
They are passionately fond of onions of par
tcularly rank variety. Without exception they
smoke cigarettes that make burning rubber rem
iniscent of altar of roses Most of them are af-
fected with bronchial trouble. They detest fresh
air Also they never have acquired liking for
cold plunge before breakfast-or a bath any other
time for that matter. When | was ready to enter
the train three of the most disreputable repre-
sentatves of their species were settled comfort
ably in the compartment Delightful prospect.
Just about that time had the good fortune to
run into an American engineer who his
way to Buenos Aires. He had the same luck
three of the unwashed in his compartment For
tunately he was able to talk some Spanish.
Let's bride the guard and see if we can't get
compartment to ourselves, | suggested.
mo sooner said than tried. Presently my new
found friend came back. We had with our train
q virtuous guard. Offered five dollars to effect
the desired change he spurned the tender with
fine display of Indignation He could not be hired
for such paltrV sum. But for ten dollars he
would throw the dirty rascals out bag and bag
s age.
GLADLY contributed the other half of the bride
Soon baggage began to fly out the platform
followed by jabberng trio, who made the Ar
gentine ali blue with picturesque profanity as
they protested against this summary ejectment
"They produced tickets to show they were
entitled to seats in this particular compartment
The guard, in his most mperious manner inform
ed them that he cared not what their tickets
called for. Did not he have the official chart Of