Year: 1873

WHO DrsARRANGED A RAILROAD TRACK
The following story may be true one; more
like it is false, but it is given as it was detail
ed, and it may be that some one still living
may remember the circumstances and write
the tale. Some years ago there was we'll
known engineer, whose name is not given, for
good and sufficient reasons, who ran a passen-
ger train on one of the most popular and most
Travelled roads that run out of Indianapolis.
At certain place on the road, every night
for about week, as the passenger train run
by this engineer came laundering along, it
was certain to be thrown from the track by
Instructions placed there. Several Of these
mishaps to the train caused loss Of Life, and
the company was becoming considerably
alarmed, and the ability Of the engineer was
being seriously questioned. One night. as
the unfortunate train was nearing the fatal
spot, the engineer, who had been sitting glum
and silent at the throttle; turned to his fire.
man and said: '1fthis train jumps the track
at that place tonight you follow me; don't
stop for anything, but keep close after me.
Somebody has been throwing this train of the
track, and I'm going to catch him"


When the train arrived at the usual place
it struck misplaced rail and was banked.
The engineer, closely followed by the fireman,


Jumped from the engine and ran into corn.
field and started up man who lay concealed
there. Upon bringing the culprit back the
enraged passengers wanted to lynch him, but
the engineer, stern, cold, determined man,
prevented them, saying that they would take
charge of him, and through the intercession
of the conductor, the trembling wretch was
left in charge of the engineer The train was
righted, and was soon speeding on its way.
The prisoner, who had confessed his 6endish-
ness, had been seated on the engine, and the
fireman placed beside him as guard. When
the train was on smooth piece Of track,
bowling along at speed Of twenty-five miles
an hour, the engineer beckoned the fireman to
stand out of the way. The fireman stepped
aside, and the engineer picked up q round
piece of wood and struck him such blow
upon the head that it stunned him. He then
caught the quivering form of the poor wretch,
and opening the furnace doors, threw his body
into the hot, seething hell of fame. The
doors were shut the train rolled on, and nev-
er, until upon his death-bed the engineer con-
fessed the act, was it ascertained what had
been the fate of the fend who had been in the
habit of throwing the train off the track-ln-
dianapolis Sentinel ..


A DINNER ExcUsE.-Apologies for poor
dinners are generally out Of place. But when
lady has forgetful husband, who, without
warning, brings home a dozen guests to sit
down to a plain, family dinner for three or
four, it is not in human nature to keep perfect
silence. What to say and how to say it form
the problem. Mrs. Tucker, the wife of Judge
Tucker, solved this problem many years ago.
She was celebrated for her beauty, wit, ease
and grace of manner. Her temper and tact
were put to the proof one court day, when
the Judge brought with him the accustomed
half score or more of lawyers, for whom not
the slightest preparation had been made, the
judge having quite forgotten. to remind his
wife that it was court week, and she herself,
strange to tell, having overlooked the fact.
The dinner was served with elegance, and
Mrs. Tucker made herself very charming.
Upon arising to leave the guests to their wine,
she said "Gentlemen, you have dined to-day
with Judge Tucker; promise me now that
you will dine tomorrow with me-" This was
all her apology, whereupon the gentlemen
swore that such wife was beyond price. The
Judge then explained the situation, and next
day there was noble banquet. Moral: New
er worry guest with apologies.