The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-10-19
What the Engineer Told.


day, Or nearly every day of my life
For a good while I've had the same en-
9lne III charge-the San Francisco-the
pretilest engine on the road, and as well
managed, if | say it, as the best.
1t was q southwestern road. running.
We'll say, from A, H. At 4. nv GOOD
old mother lived at H. | had the sweet
est little wife under the sun, and a baby
or two and had also dollar or so put
by for a rainy day | was an odd kind of
a man. Being shut up with an engine.
watching with ali your eyes and heart and
soul, inside and out. don't tend to make
man talkativc.
My wite's name was Josephine and |
called her Jo. Some people thought me
un>ocable and couldn't understand how a
man could ieel friendly without saving ten
words an hour 50, though had few
old triends-good ones, tool had not as
many acquaintances as most people, and
did not care to have. The house that
held my wife and babies was the dearest
place on earth to me, except the other
mouse that held my old mother. up at \.
I'd never been to Il club, Or mixed myself
up with strangers in any such way, and
never should If it hadn't been for CRANKY
Iou see CRANKY was one Of the share
holders, handsome, snowy fellow. I
Liked to talk with him and we were
friends He often rode from L. to A. and
back again, ond once he said
You ought to belong TO the Scientific
Club. Guelden"
''Never heard of it" said |.
Il am MEMBER" said he. "We meet
once fortnight and have a jolly good time
We have some amongst lis now. Eli pro-
pose you if you like
was fond of such things and had
ideas that fancied might be worth some
ding Bur then an engineer don't have
nights or days to himself, and the cub
would take one evening a fortnight from
Jo said
I'll ask her If she likes it, yes"
ASK whom p said he.
'Jo," said |.
III every man had asked his wife, every
mans vile would have said. can't spare
YOU. my dear and we should have had
10 club at all, said CRANKY.
But made no answer. AT home
told 10. She said:
Il shall miss you, Ned but YOU dc
love such things, and then ii Mr. Granny
belongs, they mus; be superior men,
no Doubt said /.
at isn't everybody who could be mad,
:, q member" said Jo. 'Nh hy, OF coul's
Won must say yes
SO said yes" and CRANKY propose,
y me- Thursday fortnight | went with hin
= to the rooms. There were some men will
brains there, some without. The rca
business OF the evenin" was the supper
: and 50 1t was every meeting.
I'd always been Il temperate man.
actually did not know what effect win
+, would have upon me; coming to drink NOR
of it than ! ever ha,i before at the club IA
bic, found it put the steam on. Ate
, so many glasses wanted to talk, after $
many more did.
r. seemed like somebody else, the word
were so ready My little ideas came on
S, and were listened to- made sharp hits
| INDUCED in rcpartee / told stories ;
- even came to puns. | heard somcbod
say to Granny '.By George, that's
man worth knowing Thought him luI
at first" Yet | knew that it was bette
+ to be quiet Ned Gueldon, with his te
words an hour, than the wlne-made wit
> was.
was sure of it when, thre; hours attc
| stumbled up stairs at home to find }
e. waiting for me, with her baby on he
breast.
70 "Youve been deceiving me- said )c
RI, TG 1--WE suspected it, but | wasn't sure. !
C, cf scientific club couldn't smell like bal
o. room
ly 'Which means | do said |, waving
eli the middle of the room like a 81 gnal fla
he at Il station and seeing two jos.
rs, rs, And look like one" said 10 and 81
II i' went and locked herself and the baby
ny the spare bedroom.
One club night as | was dressed to %
ed 10 stood before me.
m '.Ned." sail size. II never had Il tau
' to find with you before, I'll say that.
ed, ed You've been kind and good and loving a
VI ways; but should he sorry we ever III
per f YOU were to 90 on this way. Don't a
II HE what mean. | know"
10" SAID |, SITS only on club nj hts
tile tile 1T will grow" said she.
the the Then she put her arms about my nee
Ned" ~aid she, ''do you think a thi
80 much like a bottled up and strapp
u down demon as steam Is, Is tit to be ?
IN into the hands of drunken man \
some day, mark my words, the time W
y. come when not only Thursday night, |
II all the days OF the week will be the san
I've often heard you wonder what
feelings of an engineer who has about
same as murdered a train full Of peo]
NJ. must be, and you'll know if YOU don't st
where YOU are. A steady hand and
clear head have been your blessings
these years. Don't throw them aw;
) Ned. If you don't care for my love,
not ruin yourself"
My little 10. She spoke from
rders heart. and | bent over and kissed her.
T old Don't be afraid, child | said. .
never pam You again.