The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-04-18

erage life of the Locomotive Engineer. We
should rather wonder that nature will admit
of such papable violations of her laws SO
long. Enter the cars if You please. and
question the passengers, and see what por-
ton of them appreciate the services of the
Engineer Disturb for few moments the
equilibrium of one of our fashionables, and
ask what she knows of the Engineer, (as she
sits reading the late trash of some favorite
author, occupying two seats with her cur and
crinoline, to the horror of that silver-halred
gent. that has been standing for the last half
hour) and she will probably tell you that the
term is foreign to her vocabulary, but thinks
however it may be applicable to the animal
creation, but whether of the carniyerous, her
bivious, or amphibious species, she is not
able to define. Ask our sanctimonious
friend, as he is about to draw the curtain, in
one Of these magnificent sleeping cars that
ply on the Central, with a regularity that is
astonishing to landsmen, and he will tell you.
that he is net under the leas: obligation to
the Engineer for pleasant sojourn in the
land of Nod, but wholly to kind and over
ruling Providence, that doeth all things we'll.
Consult Jonathan if you please, for he has al
ready laid his extended form into a berth.
a,,l hos snl
in Massachusetts soil, for he has been to
Boston to see the sights, and he will tell you
with stare, that he has paid has passage
and if disturbed in the least, either by break
ing his nap or his neck, he will prosecute
the company to the extent of his ability
Approach the man of business and observa-
ton; and his ready responee will be, that it
may be very good logic for the one party TO
trust in Providence, and for others to pro-
ceed to prosecution. after their necks are
broken, but as for himself, he desires care
ful Engineer, accompanied by good rolling
stock, and he is then ready TO take his chan
ces, and those chances are decidedly favora-
bic. Few look at the matter so philosophi-
cally.
The great mass of the travelling public
know but little of that powerful agent that
skiilful invention has brought to their aid
which daily contributes so much to their
comfort and prosperity, and less of the man
that hazards life and limb in It's supervision
and control and thus in the hustle and ex-
citement of railroad business, the engineer
II so fortunate as TO escape death and multi
ation-passes a few years, comprising the
most valuable portion of his life, and soon
becomes debilitated-in a word superanuated
and must then leave the field and seek live
lihood among :hose who know nothing oi
him, or is, perhaps, compelled to rely on the
generosity of those parties whom he has
served long and faithfully, and who now care
little or nothing for him: thus relying on
the tender mercies of those who congratulate
themselves on having no spiritual RESPONSE
bilities. This may be found poor induce
ment for man to lead life, that is not on
ly hazardous in the extreme, but insures his
premature decay.
BY passing in review the duties and dam
gers pertaining to the life of the Engineer, l
don't wish to detract in the least from the az
duous and responsible duties of the conduct
or. Few men are capaci,ated for, or retain
the situation of conductor, for anv considera-
BILE time. unless they are men of superior
abilities.
4 TRAVELLER.