Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1859-06-10
INCIDENT lnTnE LIFE LOCO
MOTIVE ENGINEER.

the middle Of August, 1859, the cars
were very crowded, and my companion
in the same seat with me, found oui 10
be Locomotive Engineer, and IN the
course of our conversation he made the
remark, be hoped be had run bis last trip
upon Locomotive.
Upon making bold TO ask him his rea-
Isous, he gave the following story. which
since then have found out to be strictly
true:
Five years since / was running upon
the n. Y. c. r. r. Ny run was from
B TO R. It was the Lightning
Express Train, and it was what It's name
denotes, for it was fast a very fast run,
and if I do say it, the old Tornado could
60. | have seen her throw her six foot
drivers so as to be almost invisible 10 the
eye. And let me here remark, ii is sup
posed by many that railroad engineers
are hardhearted set of men; they are
hard, It's true, but do claim to have as
> fine feelings, and heart that can sympa-
thize with the unfortunate as any man
that breathes. But to my story.
About half a mile from the village Of
3, there is a nice little cottage, but
few feet from the track. AT that time
young married couple lived there. They
had one child,a little boy about four years
old, a bright black-eyed, curly-headed lit
tie chap as you ever saw. had taken a
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 be-
; hind time and running fast, nor did we
stop at B, and as was to make up
one hour before reaching R. We
: came up at IA tremendous speed and when
F; sweeping around the curve my eye fol-
: lowing the track, not over two hundred
feet ahead sat the little fellow, playing
D 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 afrighted kitten as it
T ran from the track. Quicker than the
e lightning that blasts the tall pine upon
+ the mountain top,I whistled down brakes
f; and reversed my engine but knew it
: was impossible to stop. Nobly did that
n old engine try to save him. The awful
). straining and writhiug drivers told but TOO
y plainly Of the terrific velocity we had at
e tanned. l was out OF the cab window
e and down on the cowcatcher in a flash.
IS The little fellow stood still; / motioned
d him of and shouted; his little black eyes
IS opened wide with astonishment, and a
e merry laugh was upon his lips. ] held
st my breath as we rushed upon him, made
$ desperate attempt to catch him, bur
e missed and as his little body passed ]
Is heard the feeble cry of mother and
'e the forward trucks crushed his body tc
Is atoms.
n Oh, God, that moment may live
Of sir to be an old man, bat the agony O
at that moment can never be erased from
$ my memory. The car stopped some rod
d. from the spot, and ran back as soon a
E. possible. His mother saw the train stop
e and fearful foreboding flashed upon hei
10 at once. She came rushing frantcaIly
ar TO the spot where we stood. Never shal
le | forget the look she gave me as she be
lie held her first born shapeIess mass.
Sc would have given my whole existence f
Sc have avoided that moment! ] have see
y death in all its forms upon railroads
al have seen men, women and children man
gled and killed. have seen all this, bu
the little innocent boy as he looked u
10 in my face, and was killed almost ia N
y arms-it unnerved me, ard from tha
ial day made solemn vow never to run
nc Locomotive more.
in- That young mother Is now in the u
no ca Lunatic Asylum. From the hou
oi her boy was killed reason had Jeff il
az throne"
10 He stopped and wiped the tears fro'
M his eyes, and said, '' You may think a
dy weak 10 shed tears, bat ] cannot help il.
~ = No" / replied, . bar ] think j. nobi'
m and sir, would 10 God every man had
be heart as large as yours"
lly have often thought since how few AZ
ia those who give one passing thought Of 81
he man Of strong nerve and stout afm VII
ed guides them through darkness and storm
with the speed Of the wind safely 10 tie
rot journeys end. They do not ioF a 10,
nent turn their attention 70 the iron mot
on ster that Is dragging them forward vii
fearful velocity 10 meet friends or rel
aid iions, or home and ali lts loved ones
They Do not realize tllat ihe man vi
git guides the fiery monster h1lds Al Il
precious lives at his command, aud Ia.
nk the least negligence upon bis paTf cou