Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-04-11
MlisGellamenns &eadina.
THE ENGINEERS STORY.

am an engineer. For since road was laid,
I've travelled it over every day. or nearly every day
of my life.
For good while, I've had the same engine in
charge-the San Francisco the pretticst engine
on the road, and as well managed, if say it, as
the best
1t was Southwestern road, so we will say,
from A to q. At A, my good old mother lived +, at
u had the sweetest wife under the sun, and ba-
by and always had a dollar or two put by for
rainy day. was an odd kind of man. Being shut
up with the engine, watching with all your eyes and
heart and soul, inside and out, don't make man
talkative.
My wife 8 name was Josephine, and called her
Jo. Some people called me unsociabe, and couldn' t
understand how man could feel friendly without
saying ten words an hour. So, though l had
few friends-dear ones, too did not have so
many acquaintance as most people, and did not
care to have. The house which held my wife and
baby was the dearest spot on earth to me-, except
the old house that held my mother, up at A.
never belonged to club, or mixed up. with
strangers in any such way, and never should, If it
hadnft been for CRANKY. You see CRANKY was one
of the share holders, handsome, snowy fellow. |
liked to talk with him, and we were friends; He
often rode from q. to A. and back again, withme,
and once he said:
''You ought to belong to the Scientific Club,
Guelden."
II never heard of it," said l.
ssI am member" said he. 'We meet once a
fortnight, and have jolly time. We want think
ing men like you We have some among us now.
| IN propose you, if you like"
I was fond of such things, and had ideas that |
fancied might be worth something. But then on
engineer don't have nights or days to himself, and
the club would have one evening a fortnight frcm
10. said:
"Ask whom2' said he.
sc" said l.
eff every man had asked his wife, every man 8
wife would have said, Cant spare you, my dear,
and we should have no club at all, said CRANKY.
But made no answer. At home, told 10.
IT shall miss you, Ned but you do love such
things, and then, if CRANKY belongs, they must be
superior men.
'sNo doubt" said l.
1T isn't everybody who could be made mem
ber," said 10. "Why, of course, you must say
yes"
So said yes. and CRANKY proposed me. Thurs
day fortnight, I went with him to the rooms. The
real business of the evening was the supper, and
so it was every evening.
I'd always been temperate man. l actually
did not know what effect wine would have on me
but coming to drink more Of it than ever had be-
fore at the club table, | found it but steam on
After so many glasses, wanted to talk; after so
many more, did,
I seemed like somebody else, the words were so
ready. My little ideas came out, and were listen
ed to. Imade sharp hits {; I indulged in repartee
told stories even came to puns. l heard
somebody say to CRANKY:
"By George, that's man worth knowing. l
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.
Twas sure of it when, three months after, I
stumbled up stairs to find 10 waiting for me with
her baby on her breast.
you've been deceiving me" said 10. II sus-
pected, but | WASH sure. A scientific club
couldn't smell like bar-room."
(which means dc" said I, wavering in the
middle of the room like signal flag at station,
and seeing two Joes.
"And look like one," said 10, and went and
locked herself and baby in the spare bedroom.
One club night, I was dressed to co. 10 stood
before.
Med" said she, IT never had fault to find
with you before. You've been kind and good, and
met, if you go on in this way. Don't ask me what
I mean. You know"
"Jo," said /, 'its only on club night"
sIt will grow," said she.
Then she put her arms around my neck.
| "Ned," said she, do you think thing 80
much like q bottled-up and strapped-down demon
as steam is, is fit to be put into the hands of drunk
en- men2 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 have
often heard you wonder what the feelings Of an
engineer, who has about the same as murdered a
t-o2, f,ll of naonla pnnet no and von'n knop Il