Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 March 1877 — A Cool Conductor. [ARTICLE]

A Cool Conductor.

I don’t know whether you would call it coolness, or brazen impudence, and perhaps it don’t matter; but for what your Frenchman understands by nonchalance, in its most perfect form of development, commend us to Pete Frost, aforetime connected with the Portland & Buckfield Railroad, in Mhine, but now serving the B. & P., running out from Boston. It was years ago, when Frank O. J. Smith had put the Buckfield branch into running order, and had built a steamer to connect with Mexico and Rumford, on the Androscoggin. Frost was one of the first conductors. on the road. He seemed to think he could drive an engine as he had been in the habit of driving the North Waterford stage-coach. His first grand operation was to collide with an engine and tender between Minot and Hebron, by which both engines were essentially smashed. His next brilliant exploit was close to Buckfield, when he ran plump into a freight train. Mr. Smith thought that would answer, and he dropped a polite note to Ftost, informing him that his service would be no longer required on that road. Away posted Pete to Portland, finding Frank 0. J. at the old Elm House. “Mr. Smith,” said he, plumply and unblushingly, “ I wish to be reinstated on your roaa.” “What!” exelaimed the Governor. "Put you back on that road?” “Yes, sir.” “Trust you again as conductor?” “ Exactly, sir.” “Bless me! and you have already smashed up three engines for us, beside endangering many lives!” “Yes, sir—and for that very reason you ought to put me back there. I have now learned the trade. You can trust me. If anybody has any question about the propriety of trying to put two engines ahead, on the same track, and in opposite directions, it is not me sir.- I have tried it twice, and f know—it —can't—be—done!'' It was too good. The twain took something together in Charley’s little back Jarlor, and Pete Frost was reinstated, rite has been railroading ever since, and has never met with another accident. In fact, he is accounted one of the best conductors running out from Boston.—Philadelphia Bulletin.