Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 April 1891 — Just Like Human Beings. [ARTICLE]

Just Like Human Beings.

“Just like human beings. ” The remark was made by an old engineer, and referred to the difference between locomotives. There had been sorno talk of the road, and some wild

stories had been told of the bravery of the man who stands beside the throttle. There had been other talk, too, hedging on lurid adventures on the road, dark nights, men on the track, sharp curves, falling bridges, and so forth. The man went on : “I have no exciting stories to tell; rather I would speak of the eccentricities of the engine. As I said, an engine has its peculiarities, just the same as human beings. No two engines are alike. To know an engine one has to be right on her all the time. It is true that they are all made the same, but there are small mechanical differences that cause them to run very differently the one from the other. It is hard to explain the idea I have in mind, but I guess you grasp my thought. For instance, some engines will run along all right for a month or so, and then suddenly, apparently for no cause, they will become cranky and begin to act badly. They will start and stop with a jerk, sway viol mtly from side to side, and altogether behave in a strange and mysterious fashion. As I said, there is no explaining it, bui any old engineer will vouch for the truth of my story.” Free Press.