Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1859-05-25
From the Cleveland Review.
Incident in the Life of an Engineer.

Incident IN the Lille OF an GHSAueeEs
In returning from Philadelphia about the
middle of August, 1858, the cars were very
crowded and my companion in the same seat
with me found out to be locomotive engi.
neer, and in the course Of our conversation,
he made the remark, he hoped he had run
his last trip upon locomotive.
Upon making bold to ask him his reasons,
he gave me the following story, which since
then have found out to be strictly true:
Five years since was running upon the
New York Central railroad. My run was
from B-to R. IT was the lightning
express. train, and eit was what its name
denotes, for it was fast-a very fast run, and
if do say it, the old Tornado could 60. |
have seen her throw her six foot drivers so as
to be almost invisible to the eye. And let me
here remark, it is supposed by many that
railroad engineers are D hard.hearted set of
men. Their lives are hard, It's true, but I do
claim to have as fine feeling, and heart
that can sympathise with the unfortunate, as
any part that breathes. But to my story.
About half mile from the village of B,
there is nice little cottage, but few feet
from the track. At that time young mar.
ried couple lived there. They had one child,
little boy about four years old, bright,
black.eyed, curly.headed little chap as you
ever saw. I had taken great deal of interest
in the little fellow, and had thrown candy and
oranges to him from the train, and was sure
to see him peeping through the fence when
my train passed.
One fine sunny afternoon We were behind
time and running fast, nor did we stop at
B, and was TO make up one hour before
reaching R. We came up at a tremen.
dous speed, and when sweeping around the
curve, my eye following the track, not over
two hundred feet ahead sat the little fellow
playing with kitten which he held in his lap.
At the sound of our approach he looked up
and laughed, clapping his little hands in high
glee at the affrighted kitten as it ran from
the track. Quicker than the lightning that
blasts the tall pine upon the mountain top,
whistled "down brakes" and reversed my
engine, but knew it was impossible to stop.
Nobly did that old engine try to save him.
The awful straining and writhing Of its iron
drivers told but too plainly of the terrific
velocity We had attained. I was out of the
cab window, and down on the cow.catcher in
fash. The little fellow stood still; mo.
vioned him off and shouted; his little blue
eyes opened wide with astonishment, and
merry laugh was upon his lips. l held my
breath as we rushed upon him, made q des-
perate attempt to catch him, but, missed and
as his little body passed, heard the feeble
cry of mother" and the forward trucks
crushed his body 10 atoms
o God that moment I may live, sir, to
bo -, old ,,oon h,f fba ooopr nc tbot mn
ment can never be erased from my memo
ry. The cars stopped some rods from the
spot, and ran back as soon as possible.
mother saw the train stop, and fearful f
boding flashed upon her at once. She ca
rushing frantically to the spot where we sto
Never shall forget the look she gave me
she beheld her first born 4a,shapelessA INA
would have given my whole existence
have avoided that moment | have Sc
death in all its forms on railroads; and kill
II have seen all this, but that little innoce
boy as be looked up in. my face, and WI
killed almost in my arms-it unnerved M
and from that day / made solemn VOW neve
to run locomotive more.
That young mother is now in the Utica
Lunatic Asylum. From the hour her boy
was killed reason had left her throne.
He stopped, and wiped the tears from his
eyes, aud said, You may think it weak in
me to shed tears, but cannot held it. NO."
| replied, "but think it noble; and, sir, would
to God every man had heart as large as
yours"
l have often thought since how few those
who give one passing thought of the man Of
strong nerve and stout arm, who guides them
through darkness and storms, with the speed
of the wind, safely to their journeys end.
They do not for moment turn their attention
to the iron monster that is dragging tLem for.
ward with fearful velocity to meet friends or
relations, or home and all its loved ones
They do not realise that the man who guides
the fiery monster, holds oil their precious
lives at his command, and that the least neg.
ligence upon his part could cause sorrow and
mourning in thousand homes that are now
waiting the return OF absent loved ones.
B. B. II.