Tms book has been written for a two-fold purpose. First, to give the public an insight into the social life of railroaders; a near view of the daily and nightly workings of the busy bees that manipulate the two greatest modern agents of civilization electricity and steam. It is hoped that the panorama here presented will lead to a better understanding of the duties and responsibilities of railroaders, and to a corresponding ap preciation of their arduous labors while promoting the safety and comfort of the traveling public. Secondly, I believe, with Charles Lamb, that a laugh is worth a hun dred groans in any market; and with Carlyle, that no man who has once heartily and wholly laughed, can be altogether irreclaimably bad; and also with Addison, who charmingly says: If we consider the frequent reliefs we receive from laughter, and how often it breaks the gloom which is apt to depress the mind, one would take care not to grow too wise for so' great a pleasure of life. Holding to these views, I have endeavored to cull from the inexhaust~ ible fund of Sam Johnson's experience and observations those incidents of actual occurrence which, while illustrating some particular phase of rail road life, shall also excite laughter and good feeling.