The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-04-13
Life Upon q Railroad.

There is an old saying that tho friendship
of dog is better than his ill-will, and for
many years, in my capacity rs railroad
conductor. l have found the above to he true
to letter; but mind, | am not saying that
have no enemies, undoubtedly have few
and don't think there is man that lives
but has more or less. A little kindness now
and then to tho many needy ones conduc-
tor will find almost every trip over his road {,
will not be lost, and hc will, in many cases,
find from his bread cast upon the waters q
return fourfold. Yet he must use great
deal ofjudgment in bestowing his charity
upon even those he thinks entirely worthy
OF such bestowal. will, in connection, re-
late u little incident by which little kind
ness saved my life, and tho lives Of all the
passengers on board my train.
The western division Of our road runs
through very mountainous part of Virgin
ia, and the stations were few and far be-
tween. About three miles from ono of these
stations, the road runs through deep gorge
of tile Blue Ridge, and near the centre is q
small valley, and there, hemmed in by the
everlasting hills, stood small one and a
half story cabin. The fcw acres that sur
rounded II were we'll cultivated as o garden,
and upon the fruits thereof lived q widow
and her three children, by the name Of Graf.
They were, indeed, untutored in tho cold
charities OF an outside world. doubt much
If they ever saw the sun shine beyond their
own native hills. In the summer time the
children brought berries to the nearest sta
ton to sell, and with the money they earn
ed they bought few of the necessities OF
the outside refinement. Tho oldest Of these
children I should Judge to bc about twelve
years, and the youngest about seven. They
were oil girls, and looked nice and clean. and
their hcalthful appearance and natural deli
cacy gave them q ready welcome. They mp
peared US II they had been brought up to
fear God, and love their humble homo and
mother. I had often stopped my train and
let them get of at their home, having found
them Mt the station three miles from home,
after disposing of their berries.
I had children ut home, and knew their
little feet would be tired in walking three
miles, and therefore felt that 1t would be tho
same with these fatherles little ones. They
seemed pleased to ride, and thanked mo with
such hearty thanks, after letting them OIL
near home. They frequently offered mo
nice, tempting baskets OF fruit for my kind
ness. yet never accepted any without paying
their full value.
Now If YOU remember, tho winter of '4
was very cold in that part of the State, and
the snow was nearly three feet deep in tho
mountains. 49,, r
that wear. IL turned around warm and the
rain fell in torrents. A terrible storm swept
the mountain tops, and almost filled the
valleys with water. Upon that night my
train was winding its way, and at Its usual
specd around tho hills and through the val.
leys, and as tho road bed was oil solid rock,
I had no fear of tho banks giving out. Tho
night was intensely dark, and tho wind
moaned piteously through tho deep sorges OF
the mountains. Some Of my passengers
wcre trying 10 sleep, Others wcrc talking in
a low voice, to relieve the monotony OF tho
scene. Mothers had their children upon
their knees, a. IL TO shield them from some
unknown danger without. ..,..i
Il was near midnight, when o sharp whis-
lie from the engine brought mo- 70 my feet.
I know there was danger BY that whistle,
and sprang to tho brak0 ut once, but the
brakesmen were at their posts, and soon tho
train was brought 10 o stop. ! seized. my
lantern and found my way forward - soon