"Turn 'Er Around"

I doubt very seriously that this tale is the Gospel Truth, but it has so much humor I want to share it with you.

When the first train was on its way into Shady Valley, Tennessee, many of the mountain people had never seen a train. As it chugged along, they walked beside it. When the engine reached the valley, several people joined the group that was walking,

The engine stopped, making a hissing and panting sound. As the people ventured closer to the engine, someone was heard to whisper, "My, how tired the poor thing must be. Just listen how she's panting for breath."

The fireman, Bob Taylor, a well-known prankster, stuck his head out the window of the cab and roared, "Stand back everybody. I'm gonna turn 'er around." This warning was followed by the hissing of steam, the tooting of a whistle, and the ringing of a bell.

Pandemonium broke loose. People ran, pushed, and fell over each other struggling to get out of the way. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

Bob Taylor slowly moved the train onto a siding where it picked up some log-filled cars to haul to Abingdon, Virginia. Chuckling softly to himself, he pulled away.

Charles S. Wilson