If
there's anybody here that don't feel as if he'd been taxed enough,
he ought t' be taxed fer his folly."
The dread of "scooting" grew for a time, but wise men were able to
overcome it.
In 1850, the iron way had come through the wilderness and begun to
rend the northern hills. Some were filled with awe, learning for
the first time that in the moving of mountains giant-powder was
more efficient than faith. Soon it had passed Hillsborough and was
finished. Everybody came to see the cars that day of the first
train. The track was lined with people at every village; many with
children upon arms and shoulders. They waited long, and when the
iron horse came roaring out of the distance, women fell back and
men rolled their quids and looked eagerly up the track. It came on
with screaming whistle and noisy brakes and roaring wheels.
Children began to cry with fear and men to yell with excitement.
Dogs were barking wildly, and two horses ran away, dragging with
them part of a picket-fence. A brown shoat came bounding over the
ties and broke through the wall of people, carrying many off their
feet and creating panic and profanity. The train stopped, its
engine hissing.
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