The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1866-07-07

Il
But then an engineer don't have too man
nights or days to himself, and tho cru
would take one evening fortnight from 10
| said
'Pll ask her. If she likes it, yes'
Ask whom!' said he.
6 sJo,' said !.
mans wife would have said, sCan't spar,
you, my DEAR and we should have had nt
club at all said Granby.
But | made no answer. At home tol,
10. She said:
1 shall miss you, NJ, y; but you do lov,
such things, and then If Mr.. CRANKY be
longs, they must be superior men,
mo doubt said |.
1t isn't everybody who conld be made .
member said 10. 'Why of course you
m"st say yes.'
SO said syes,' and Grsrby proposed me-
Thursday fortnight went with him to thu
rooms. There were some men with brains
there, some without.-The real business Of
the evening was the supper, and so it wa.
every evening.
| had always been temperate man.
actually did not know what effect wine
would have upon me; but coming to drink
more of it than | ever had before at the
club table, | found it put the steam on.
After so many glasses wanted to talk
after so many more did.
1t seemed like somebody else, the words
were so ready. Ny little ideas came out
and were listened to. | mede sharp hits
INDUCED in repartee; told stories even
cane to puns. | heard some one say to
Granby: By George, that's a man worth
knowing | thought him dull at fret' Yet
| knew it was better to be quiet Ned
Guelden, with his ten words an hour, than
the wine-made wit was.
| was sure uf it, when three hours after,
stumbled up stairs at home to 6nd Jo wait
ing for me with her babe on her breast.
You've been deceiyiDg me- said Jo--tI
have suspected it, but | wasn't sure. A
scientific club couldn't smell like a bar
ROOM"
which means do, said I, waving in the
middle Of the room like a signal flag at a
station, and seeing two JOS.
And look like one, sad Jo and she went
and locked herself aud the baby in the spare
bed room.
One club night, as | was dressed 10 go, 10
stood before me.
Ned, said she, / never had a fault to
find with you before, III say that. You
have been kini, and good, and loving al
ways; but | SHOULD be sorry we ever met If
you were to go on in tbs way. Don't ask
me what mean. You know
'Jo,' said |, it Is only ON club nights
1t will grow said she.
Then she put her arm about nv neck.
Ned said she, do you think thing so
much like Sottled-up and strapped down
demon as steam is, is fit to be put into the
hands Of drunken man ? And some day,
mark my works, the time will come when
not only Thursday nights, but all the days
Of the week will be the same. have often
heard you wonder what the feelings Of an
engineer who had about the same as mur-
dered whole train Of passengers must be.
and you will know if you don't stop where
you are. A steady hand and a clear head
nave been your blessings all these years
Don't throw them away, Ned. Ifyou don't
care for my love, don't ruin YOURSELF
My little Jol She spoke from her heart,
and bent over her and kissed her.
Don't be afraid, child; will never pain
you again. said |.
And ! meant it but at twelve that night
| felt that had forgotten the promise and
my resolution.
could not 90 home to 10. | made up nv
mind to sleep on the club sofa and leave the
place br good next day. Already felt my
brain reel as it never had before. In an hour
was in kind Of stupor.
II was morning. A waiter stood ready to
brush my coat. saw grin on his black
face. Ny head seemed about to burst my
hand trembled looked at my watch i
had Just five minutes TO reach the depot.
JOS words came into nay mind. Was 4
tit to take charge Of the engineg was not
tit to answer. ought to have asked some
sober man. AS it was, i only caught my
hat and rushed away. Twas just in time.
The San Francisco glittered in the morn
ing SUM- The cars were filling rapidly.
From my post could hear the people talk
each other good bye, promising
to write and 10 come again. Amongst them
was an old gentleman knew by sght-one
Of the shareholders; he was bidding two
timid girls adieu.
Goodbye, goodbye, Lue, heard
him say don't be nervous. The San Fran
cisco is the safest engine on the line, and
Guelden the most careful engineer. Iwonld
not be afraid to trust every mortal love in
a batch to their keeping. Nothing conld
happen wrong with the two together
| said, will get through it somehow,
and Joe shall never talk TO me again. AZ
ter all, it was easy enough reeled rs
spoke. heard the signal. We were of.
Five hours from L. to e.; Eve hours back.
On the last should be my self again, knew
now. | saw red Autter, and never guess
ed what it was until we were past the flag.
| heard shrek and we had passed the down
train ct the wrong place. Two minutes
more and we should have acollision. Some
body told me- laughed. heard him say
respectfully
'Of course, Mr.. Guelden, you knew what
you were about
Then | was alone and wondering whether
should 90 slower or faster. did some
thing, the cars rushed on at fearful rate.
The same man who had spoken TO me be-
fore was standing near me. heard the
question:
How many miles an hour were we max
ings did not know.
Rattle, rattle, rattlei was trying now
to slacken the speed Of the San Francisco
could not remember what l should do.
Was it this, or that? Faster-ouly faster
was playing with the engine like child.
Suddenly there was horrible roar
crnsh 1 was flung somewhere. 1t was in
the water By a miracle was only sobered,