Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1867-09-12
cientiic club couldn't smell like a bar

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 engineer who has about the same as
murdered train full Of people must be,
and you will know if you don't stop where
you are. A steady hand and clear head
have been your blessings all these years
Don't throw them away, Ned. IF you
don't care for my love, don't ruin your
self "
Ny little Joe. She spoke from her
heart, and [ bent over and kissed her.
One club night, as I was dressed to 60,
Joe stood before me.
s.Ned," said she, II never had fault
to find with you before. You've been kind,
and loving, and good always, but shall
be sorry we ever met, if you 60 on in
this way, Don't ask me what mean
You know
''Joe," said I, Its only one club
night"
at will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my neck.
'Don't be afraid, child, I'll never pain
you so again
And I meant it; but at II o'clock that
night [ felt that I had forgotten my prom
Use and my resolution.
[ couldn't 60 home to Joe. made UP
my mind to sleep ON the club sofa, and
leave the place for good next day. Al
ready I felt my brain reel as [ never had
before. In an hour [ was in the land Of
stupor.
1t was morning. A waiter stood ready
to brush my coat. [ saw grin upon his
face. My head seemed ready to burst;
my hand trembled [ looked at my
watch [ saw that had only five minutes
to reach the depot.
Joe's words came to my mind. Was [
fit to take charge Of an engine? [ was
not fit to anawer. ought to have asked
some sober man AS it was, [ only caught
up my hat and rushed away I was just
in time
The San Francisco glittered in the
morning sun. The cars was filing rapid
ly. From my post could hear the talking
bidding each other goodbye, promising
to write and come again. Among them
was an old gentleman [ knew by sight
one of the shareholders heawas bidding
two timid girls adieu.
"5ood-by, Kitty-good-by, Lue," I
heard him say; "don't be nervous. The
San Francisco is the safest engine on the
line, and Gueldon the most careful engin-
eer. | wouldn't be afraid to trust every
mortal in the batch to their keeping
Nothing could happen wrong with the two
together"
sold, "Pll get through it some how,
and Joe shall never talk to me again. p
After all it was easy enough Ireeled as
Ispoke. I heard the signal. We were
off.
Five hours from L. to D., five hours
back On tho last [ should be myself
again, knew. [ saw red flag hutter,
but [ never guessed what it was until we
were past the down train at the wrong
place. Two minutes more and we should
have had collision. Somebody told me,
l laughed. [ heard him say respectfully:
"Of couse, Mr.. Gueldon, you know what
you are about?"
Then [ was alone, and wondering wheth-
er [ should 60 slower or faster. [ did
something, and the cars rushed on at a
fearful rate
The same man who had spoken to me
before was standing near me. [ heard
some questions.
How many miles an hour we were max
ing? [ did not know
Rattle, rattle, rattle [ was trying to
slacken the speed of the San Francisco
| could not remember what [ should do
Was it this or that7 Faster-only faster.
[ was playing with the engine like child.
Suddenly there was horrible roar-a
crash. | was flung somewhere It was
into the water. BY miracle was only
sobered-not hurt. [ gained the shore.
| stood upon the ground between thr track
and the rivers edge, and then gazed at
my own work.
The engine was in fragments, the cars
in splinters; the dead, dying and wounded
were strewn around-men, women aud
children, old age and tender youth. There
were groans and sbrieks of despair. The
manned cried out in pain; the injured be-
walled their dead; and voice, unheard
by any other, was in my ear whispering,
Murder"
The news had gone back to A. and PEG:
pie came throning back to find their lost
once. Searching for an old mans daugh-
ter, came to a place under trees, and
five bodies were lying there in all their
rigid horror-an old woman. young one,
baby and two children 1t was fancy
it was pure fancy, borne to anguish-they
looked like-oh! great heavens! cold and
dead
How did they come on the train ? What
chance had brought this about? l gazed
on the good old face of her who had given
me birth, on the lovely features Of my
wife, on the innocent children | called
them by name. There was no answer