of a variety of facts that fell within my
observation, illustrative of the singular degree of patience and
imperturbability with which railway travellers in America submit
uncomplainingly to all sorts of detentions on their journey.

_Things as they are in America_, by W. Chambers, 1853.

A WIDE-AWAKE CONDUCTOR.

Dana Krum, one of the conductors on the Erie Railway, was approached
before train time by an unknown man, who spoke to him as if he had known
him for years. "I say, Dana," said he, "I have forgotten my pass, and I
want to go to Susquehanna; I am a fireman on the road, you know." But
the conductor told him he ought to have a pass with him. It was the
safest way. Pretty soon, Dana came along to collect tickets. Seeing his
man, he spoke when he reached him. "Say, my friend, have you got the
time with you?" "Yes," said he, as he pulled out a watch, "it is twenty
minutes past nine." "Oh, it is, is it? Now, if you don't show me your
pass or fare, I will stop the train. There is no railway man that I ever
saw who would say 'Twenty minutes past nine.' He would say,
'Nine-twenty.'" He settled.

A KID-GLOVED SAMSON.

A correspondent of the _Chicago Journal_ relates the following feat of
strength, to which he was witness:--

"On Sunday, about nine o'clock A.M., as the train westward was within
three or four miles of Chicago, on the Fort Wayne road, a horse was
discovered on the stilt-work between the rails. The train was stopped,
and workmen were sent to clear the track. It was then discovered that
the body of the horse was resting on the sleepers. His legs having
passed through the open spaces, were too short to reach the ground.
Boards and rails were brought, and the open space in front of the horse
filled up, making a plank road for him in case he should be got up, and
by means of ropes one of his fore feet was raised, and there matters came
to a halt. It seemed that no strength or stratagem could avail to
release the animal. Levers of boards were splintered, and the men tugged
at the ropes in vain, when a passenger, who was looking quietly on,
stepped forward, leisurely slipped off a pair of tinted kids, seized the
horse by the tail, and with tremendous force hurled him forward on the
plank road. No one assisted, and, indeed, the whole thing was done so
quickly that assistance was impossible. The horse walked away looking
foolish, and casting suspicious side