The Shasta courier., 1867-02-09
SH ASIA COURIER
WHAT THE ENGINEER TOLD.

am an engineer. Ever since the -
road was laid, I've travelled over it every day.
or nearly every day of my life.
For good while had the same engine IN
charge-the San Francisco-the prettest
engine ON the road, and as well managed, II
say it, as the best.
1t was south western road, running we'll
say from A. to z. At A. my good old mother
the sun, and a baby or two | also had a
dollar or SO put by for a rainy day. l 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 a
man talkative.
My wife's name is Josephine, and l called
her 10. Some people thought me unsociable,
and couldn't understand how a man could
feel friendly without saying ten words in an
hour. So, though l had few old friends
dear ones, tool had not so many acquaint-
ances 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 house that held my old mother at A.
| never belonged to a club or mixed myself
up with strangers in any such way, and never
should, if it hadn't been for Granny. You
see CRANKY was one of the shareholders, a
handsome snowy fellow. liked to talk with
him, and we were friends. He often rode
from T. to A., and back again with me, and
once he said:
You ought to belong to the Scientific
Club, Guelden."
- Never heard of it," said I.
81 am a member" said he. " We meet
once fortnight. and have a jolly good time.
We want thinking men like you. We have
some amongst US now. I'll propose you if
you Ike"
was fond of such things, and had ideas
that fancied might be worth something
But then an engineer don't have too many
nights or DAYS to himself. and the club would
take an evening fortnight from 10. So |
said.
"Ill ask her. If she likes yes.'
g Ask whom ?" said he.
"Jo." said l.
Z" If every man had asked his wife, every
mans wife would have said, Can't spare
you my dear, and we should have had no
club" said CRANKY.
But | made no answer. At home l told
10. She said:
g shall miss you Ned but you do love
such things, and then if Mr.. CRANKY be
longs they must be superior men,"
No doubt" said l.
cit isn't everybody who could be made a
member" said 10. q Why of course you
mus. sny yes"
So said yes" and CRANKY proposed
me. Thursday fortnight went with him to
the rooms. There were some men with
brains there, some without. The real bust
ness of the evening was the supper, and SO
it was every meeting.
I'd 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, l found it put the steam on. After so
many glasses wanted to talk after SO many
| did.
1t seemed like somebody else, the words
were so ready. My little ideas came out
and were listened to; | made sharp hits;
lndulged in repartee; | told stories; even
came to puns. | heard some one say to
CRANKY. by George that is a man wol th
knowingl | thought him dull at first"
Yet l knew it was better to be quiet Ned
Guelden with his ten words an hour, than the
wine made wit was.
- was sure of it when, three hours after.
stumbled up stairs at home to find Jo watt
ing for me, with her babe on her breast.
You've been deceivng me-" said Jo.
I've suspected it but | wasn't sure. A
scientific club couldn't smell like bar
room''
Which means | do,' said I. waving in
the middle of the room like signal fac at
station, and seeing two Jos.
And look lika ono - So;d t. - L =
went and locked herself and the baby in the
spare bed room.
One club night, as l was dressed to 90
10 stood before me-
Ned, )" said she, 81 never had a fauIt TO
lind with you before, I'll say that. You've
been KIND. and good, and loving always !;
but | should be sorry we ever met if YOU
were to go on this way. Don't ask me what
| mean. You know
Jo," said s. its only on club nights"
" Ii will grow" said she.
Then she put her arm around my neck.
Ned" said she, Z" do you think thing 40
much like bottled up and strapped down
demon, as steam is, is fit to be put into the
hands of drunken man! And some dav
mark my words, the time will come when
not only Thursday nights, but all the davs
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 murder
ed tram full of people, must be, and You'll
know If you don't stop where YOU are. A
steady hand and clear head have been your
blessing all these years. Don't throw them
away Ned. If you don't care for NV love
don't ruin yourself.n ~
My little Jol She spoke from her heart
and | bent over and kissed her. ~ ,
" Don't be afraid child,n | said nI will
never pain you again"
And | meant it, but at twelve that n;oh,
felt that had forgotten the promise and NV
resoluti n. -
couldn't go home to 10. made mn NV
mind to sleep on the club sofa, and leave tbs
place for good the next day. Already 7 fsl.
my brain as it had never felt before II @ ON
hour | was in a kind of stupor.
1t was morning. A waiter stood readv 70
brush my coat. / saw grin on his blacI
face. My head seemed ready to burst. Nv
hand trembled. ! looked at nv watch.
had just five minutes to reach the denot
JOS words came to my mind. Wa,I At
to take charge of the engine? was not A.