Part 24 (1/2)

Two steel rails of twenty-one feet in length were laid on the 2nd of May, 1862, at the Chalk Fare, side by side with two ordinary rails

After having outlasted sixteen faces of the ordinary rails, the steel ones were taken up and examined, and it was found that at the expiration of three years and three months, the surface was evenly worn to the extent of only a little more than a quarter of an inch, and to all appearance they were capable of enduring a great deal more work The result of this trial was to induce the London and North Western to enter very extensively into the eht's Dictionary of Mechanics_

CURIOUS CASUALTY

Out of three truck loads of cattle on the Great Western Railo of the ani on Monday afternoon, July 5, 1852, not very far from Swindon What renders it remarkable is, that one animal only in each of the two trucks was struck, and five or six animals in each escaped uninjured The ani injury, and in the other truck it was a bull or an ox that was killed

GEORGE STEPHENSON'S WEDDING PRESENT

A correspondent, writing to the _Derbyshi+re Courier_ the week following the Stephenson Centenary celebration at Chesterfield, reentle to the Stephensons, father and son It appears we have, or had, relations of old George residing in Derby Years ago, says e was sta his fellow-ine-driver in the North Midland or the Birave On the driver being pointed out, the gentle north-country burr in his voice, said, after asking his name, ”Did you marry -?” ”Yes, sir” ”Then she's ood husband

I have not had the chance of giving you a wedding present until now”

Then slipping into his hand a bank note for 50, he talked of otherso welconised and kindly received by his wife's illustrious uncle, George Stephenson”

THE POLITE IRISHMAN

It's a sry at hiiven up his seat, in a railway car, to a fee the favour The following ”hint” to the ladies will show that a trifle of politeness properly spread on, often has a happy effect

The seats were all full, one of which was occupied by a rough-looking Irishman; and at one of the stations a couple of evidently well-bred and intelligent young ladies ca no vacant ones, were about to go into a back car, when Patrick rose hastily, and offered them his seat, with evident pleasure ”But you will have no seat yourself?” responded one of the young ladies with a s it ”Never ye mind _that_!” said the Hibernian, ”ye'r welcome to 't! I'd ride upon the cow-catcher till New York, any time, for a smile from such _jintlemanly_ ladies;” and retreated hastily to the next car, amid the cheers of those who had witnessed the affair

AN ENTERTAINING COMPANION

Once, during a tour in the Western States, writes Mr Florence, the actor, an incident occurred in which I rather think I played the victim

We were _en route_ froht or ten-hour journey After seeingcar, and, taking the only unoccupied place, pulled out hbour He was about sixty years of age, gentlemanly in appearance, and of a soracefully accepted the cigar, and in a fewfar west?” I inquired

”Merely so far as Columbus” (Columbus, I may explain is the capital of Ohio) ”And you, sir?” he added, interrogatively

”I a toward Cincinnati I aht” I was a youngmy profession

”Oh, indeed! Your face seemed familiar to me as you entered the car I am confident we have met before”

”I have acted in almost every State in the Union,” said I ”Mrs