. Down the eastern and up the Black . this statement, but it is not unusual to find a passengertrain occupying three of these curves, while a freight oftenlengthens itself out over four or five. It has been asserted thata great number of them were introduced for the purpose of en-abling its patrons to see both sides of the road at the same time,but with equal positivity I have heard it maintained that thecomfort of the passengers was not considered at all, the aimof the engineer being rather to demonstrate that in railroadconstruction a straight line is unnecessary and useless. So
. Down the eastern and up the Black . this statement, but it is not unusual to find a passengertrain occupying three of these curves, while a freight oftenlengthens itself out over four or five. It has been asserted thata great number of them were introduced for the purpose of en-abling its patrons to see both sides of the road at the same time,but with equal positivity I have heard it maintained that thecomfort of the passengers was not considered at all, the aimof the engineer being rather to demonstrate that in railroadconstruction a straight line is unnecessary and useless. Someignorant and presumptuous people have suggested that he merelyconformed the line to the sinuous course of the stream, whileothers, naturally suspicious, find the explanation in the termsof the contiact, which they declare provided for extra compen-sation for every curve. If so, the engineers bill must have con-sisted entirely of extras. Perhaps the real reason will never beknown. Meanwhile the road will continue to afford its patrons 19] t--#!^. such facilities of view, such alteiations of sunshine and shadow,as are furnished by no other road in the country. With a littlemore sharpening of the curves, a husband in the smoking carcan enjoy a chat with his wife as he passes her on some up-gradecurve, and the conductor communicate his orders to the engineerwithout the use of a rope or other uncertain signal. From this railroadbridge, I look backwardon the way that I havecome, and take my lastview of the Brandy-wines mountain falling dew admon-ishes me that it is laterthan I thought, buteven yet, through thedusk of the evening Ican distinguish my course of travel. Is it merely an illusion, orare the clouds really resting on the tops of yonder mountains thatstand with sentinel solidity about the cradle of this stream?How still the air is. The lingering hum of the train that wentwhizzing by me has ceased—the whistle of the Bob-white alonebreaks the silence—the world is
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