Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-17

The train had stopped in front of q
red signal which blocked the way. The
engineer and conductor, having got out,
discussed quite excitedly with signal
man. whom the station master at Medi-
cine Bow, the next station, had sent In
advance of the train. Some Of the pas
sengeEs approached and took part In
the discussion, among them Col. Proc
cor, with his loud voice and tmperious
gestures.
mo. there is no means of passing"
said the signal man. THE bridge at
Medicine Bow is shaky and will not
bear the weight of the train"
1t was suspension bridge over rap
ids, about a mile from the place where
the train had stopped. According to
the signal man, it threatened to fall
several of the wires having snapped,
and it was impossible to risk its pas
sage. He did not eXaggerate in any
way, then, in asserting that they could
not pass the bridge.
And cannot the river be crossed in
O boat?" asked the colonel.
Impossible. The creek is swollen
with the rains. 1t is torrent and We
will be compelled to make a detour of
10 miles to the north to find a ford"
The colonel launched a volley of
oaths, blaming the company and the
conductor. The disappointment was
general among the passengers, who saw
themselves obliged to foot it is miles
across the plain covered with snow.
There was hubbub, EXPLANATIONS, loud
and deep, Of dislnay.
Suddenly the engineer of the train,
q genuine Yankee, raising his voice,
said:
Gentlemen, there might be way OF
passing"
"On the bridgeP" asked passenger.
'On the bridge"
with our train?" asked the colonel.
with our train"
But the bridge threatens to fall"
said the conductor in objection.
1T doesn't matter" replied the en-
gineer. II believe that by rushing the
train over at its maximum speed we
would have some chances of passing"
THE DEVIL" exclaimed the colonel.
But certain number of the passen-
gers were Immediately carried away by
the proposition. Hot-headed dare
devils found the thing very feasible.
They recalled that engineers had had
the idea OF passing rivers without
bridges, with trains closely coupled.
rushing at the height of their speed,
and so on. And, finally, all those in
terested took sides with the engineers
views.
I'VE have so chances for passing"
said one.
sixty" said another.
Eighty! Ninety out OF one hun
Gred!" W
young Frenchman thought the at
tempt seemed a little too American. !"
He voiced his thought:
Monsieur the WaV Y1ror1aeaS ~, a..
engineer seems little hazardous to
me"
Eighty chances" replied the man
addressed, turning his back.
Il know very WE'LL" returned the
Frenchman, but a simple reflec-
ton"
mo reflection, it is uselessl" replied
the American, struggling his shoulders.
~Since the engineer assures us that we
win pass"
Without doubt" continued the
Frenchman, Eve viii pass, but it would
perhaps be more prudent"
What prudent!" cried the colonel,
Jumping at this word, heard by chance.
SAT full speed, you have been told
Don't you understand? At full speed"
'I KNOW understand" repeated the
Frenchman, "but it would be, if not
more prudent since the word offends
you, at least more natural"
who? What? How? What is the
matter with this fellow?" was heard
from all directions.
The poor fellow did not know whom
Do address.
"Are you afraid?" the colonel asked
him.
'T, afraid" cried the Frenchman.
well, so be I'll will show these people
that Frenchman can be as American
IS They'll
"All aboardl AL aboard!" cried the
conductor.
"Yes, all aboard" seconded the
Frenchman. "All aboardl And right
away! But they can't prevent me from
thinking that it would have been more
natural for us to have gone over the
bridge afoot, and then brought the train
afterwardr'
But no one heard this sage reflection,
and no one would have acknowledged
It If he had
The passengers took their seats in the