Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-10-11

or nearly every 0dys VI Iuy Ill.,
For good while I've had the same engine
in charge-the San Francisco-the prettiest
engine on the road, and as well managed, if
l say it, as the best
1t was a Southwestern road, running, we
will say, from A. to 2. At A. my good old
mother lived at H. had the sweetest lit
tie wife under the sun, and baby; and |
always had dollar or two put by for q
rainy day. was an odd kind of a man.
Being shut up with the engine, watching
with all your eyes and heart and soul,
inside and out, don't make man talka-
tive.
My wife's name was Josephine, and
called her 10. Some people called me un-
sociable, and couldn't understand how a
man could feel friendly without saying ten
words an hour. So, though l had few
old friends-dear ones, tool did not have
80 many acquaintance as most people, and
did not care to have. The house which
held my wife and baby was the dearest
place on earth to me, except the old house
that held my mother, up at A,
never belonged to club, or mixed my
self up with strangers in any such way,
and never should, if it hadn't been for Gran
by. You see CRANKY was one of the share
holders, handsome, snowy fellow liked
to talk to him, and we were friends. He
often rode from z. to A., and back again,
and once he said:
'sYou ought to belong to the Scientific
Club, Guelden."
"Never heard Of it," said l.
81 am member" said he, awe meet
once fortnight, and have jolly good time.
We want thinking men like you. We have
some among us now. I'll propose you, if
you like"
1 was fond of such things, and 1 had
ideas that L fancied might be worth some
thing. But then an engineer don't have
nights and days to himself, and the club
would have one evening fortnight from
10. I said:
'sTll ask her. If she likes it, yes"
ssAsk whom?" said he.
"Jo," said l.
elf every man had asked his wife, every
mans wife would have said, Cant spare
you, my DEAR and we should have had no
club at al" said CRANKY. -
But | made no answer. At home / told
10. She said:
81 shall miss you, Ned; but you love such
things, and then if CRANKY belongs to it.
they must be superior men"
''No doubt" said |.
member" said 10. "Why of course you
must say yes"
So l said yes, and CRANKY proposed me.
Thursday fortnight went with him to the
rooms. There was some men with brains
there, and some without. The real bust
ness of the evening was the supper, and SO
it was every evening.
I'd always been temperate man. / &C
tually did not know what effect wine would
have upon me; but coming to drink more
of it than l ever had before at the club
table, found it put the steam on. After
80 many glasses l wanted to talk; after 80
many more did.
| seemed like somebody else, the words
were SO ready. My little ideas came out
and were listened to, | made sharp hits;
INDUCED in repartee; told stories; | even
came to puns. 1 heard somebody say to
CRANKY: "By George, that's man worth
knowing. thought him dull at first" Yet
/ knew it was better to be quiet Ned Guel-
den, with his ten words an hour, than the
wine-made wit was
was sure of it when, three hours after,
stumbled up stairs to find 10. waiting for
me, with her babe on her breast.
"You've been deceiving me, said 10. 81
suspected it, but wasn't sure. A scientific
club couldn't smell like bar room.
(Which means 1 do" said l, waving in
the middle of the room like a signal flag at
station. and seeing two JOS.
"And look like One,' said Jo.; and she
went and locked herself and the baby up in
the spare bedroom.
One club night, as | was dressed to go,
10. stood before me.
"Ned," said she, 81 never had fault to
find with you before. You've been kind,
and good, and loving, always; but should
be sorry we ever met if you are to 60 on in
this way. Don't ask me what mean. You
know"
''Jo.," said I, otis only on club night. +"
''It will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my neck.
"Ned," said she, g do you think a thing
so much like bottled up and strapped down
demon as steam is, is fit to be put into the
hands of drunken man? And some day
mark my words, the time will come when
not only Thursday night but all the days Of
the week will be the same. I've often heard
you wonder what the feelings of an engi
neer who has about the same as murdered q
train full of people must be, and you'll
know if you don't stop where you are. A
steady hand and clear head have beer
your blessings all these years. Don't throw
them away, Ned. If you don't care for my
love, don't ruin yourself"
My little 10. She spoke from her heart
and | bent over and kissed her.
"Don't be afraid, child. I'll never pair
you again"
And mean it; but at twelve o'clock tha
night felt that had forgotten my promise
and my resolution.
l couldn't go home to 10. I made up my
mind to sleep on the club sofa and leave tn,
place for good next day. Already felt my
brain reel as it never had before. In al
hourI was in kind of stupor.
1t was morning. A waiter stood ready t.
brush my coat. l saw grin on his face
My head seemed ready to burst; my hant
trembled; looked at my watch; | haC
only just five minutes to reach the depot!
JOS words came to my mind. Was | fl
to take charge of an engine? was not Fl
to answer. l ought to have asked some
sober man. AS it was, only caught W
my hat and rushed away. l was just il
time.
The San Francisco glittered in the morn
ing sun. The cars were filling rapidly
From my post could hear the people talk
ing-bidding each other good bye, promis
ing to write and come again. Among them
was an old gentleman | knew by sight-one
of the shareholders; he was bidding two
timid girls adieu.
GOOD bye, Kitty-good bye Lue,"
heard him say; ''don't be nervous The
San Francisco is the safest engine on the
line and Guelden the most careful engi-