Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1869-07-21
1.-THE LAST SPIKE"
ny PAUL PARALLEL.


is the subject Of conversation in al
the family circles during the evening
A striking sensation is sweet morse
to roll under the tongues until bed
time, and ill the vacant spaces o
thought for days aitcrward.
Now, not heing a man of family
ssdomestic confabs" and "hearthstoni
conversations are things as yet for
eign TO my experience. or course
ike all other human beings, ! gener
ally have my tea--but don't fgur.
during the evening in the centre of {
family circle, for,as have intimated
] don't possess the luxury. Fate ha'
marked mo for its own--asa bachelor
Ny headquarters are at my apart
ments in my lodging-house, and l live
on the European plan--a sort Of wall
on humanity's sea.
The other day | took supper with a
few friends at the Maison de Tipkins.
We sat down at nine o'clock, and
fingered long and lovingly over our
broiled oysters and wine, We did
not chat much then, for we were hun.
CRY. Mind was quiescent before the
superior demands of matter. Eating
not being an exception to the rule
that all things but eternity and a
wOman's tongue must have an end,
we finally pushed back our chairs,
lighted our cigars, and unanimously
agreed that Tipkins was the best ca
ateIer in the city.
Then we began to talk about "the
great event Of the age" to wit: The
completion of the Pacific Railroad,
which had been the exciting topic
on the street that day since noon
There was no dissenting voice as to
its being "big thing We then
drank TO the success of the enterprise
The Importance of the subject grew
upon US as we advanced in It's discus
sion, and in a short time orr conver-
satiou was a mixture of stock, civih-
zation, freight, Indians, the past. the
present, political economy, natural
philosophy, and almost everything
else. In the meanwhile we toasted
the road several times, and drank to
the memory of every one whom We
imagined had the slightest connection
with it, Doc Orphcc, one of our num-
ber, sang the "Song of the Steam"
which was greeted with uproarious
applause--after which we drank to
the health of the writer and the singer.
Prof Sulphus gave scientific account
of the "iorces of the universe" but
becoming rather prosy, he was inter
rnpted by Sam Johker, who told
very laughable California story, which
pleased us so well that we all took a
drink. Our enthusiasm was now in
tense We felt like leaving straight
way, in body, Tor the far West, and
become passengers on the first train
over the new road. In fact, 70 such
pitch did this desire reach that we
all got up and were about starting
out for the purpose of putting our de-
sign into execution, when one OF the
boys suggested ga parting drink"
Several original sentiments were then
proposed, Of very exaggerated char
acter, which being disposed of, some
one was foolish enough to call upon
me for a speech. The call was bois-
terously seconded by the company,
and in a few seconds found myself
on top of the table, "the orator of the
evening" Since have told so much |
it will do no harm TO add another fact,
viz: That had some difficulty in
steadying myself in my elevated posi-
ton. Ny friends were comfortably
located on the chairs, sofas, &c, of the
room, observing me with countenan
cos expressive of the deepest interest
! began my address by congratulating
the gentlemen before me on the com.
pletion of that great work, which,
amid all the startling events of this
progressive age, was the Growing one
and the glory Of the nineteenth cen.
turyl Ibelieve gotoff this splendid
sentiment quite coherently But II
seemed all my clearness OF ideas went
up with it. After that, things became
considerably mixed" (owing, | pre-.
sume, TO the broiled oysters.) | was
eognizant Of making some sort Of a
noise, and of saving the air with my
arms occasonally-but what other
remarks made Ihave no distinct re-
membrance. | have Just the slightest
recollection that the words aPacifc
Railroad" escaped my lips about every
alternate respiration, aud Of feeling
that great responsibility rested upon
me and which / must discharge at all
hazards.
@ .
l was bidding my friends goodbye
at the corner, under the stroet-lamp,
the rays from which had but sorry
efectin dispelling the darkness around,
We rallied around the lamp post with
a devotion earnest, II not praisewor-
Thy. Among us all it was the frmest
and most upright; placidly II wit
nessed our repeated hand.shakings,
and participated in our embraces.
seemingly determined to be the last :
to leave But il appeared to me to
be remarkably taciiurn, for II stolidly
Ieluseu 70 express any oplnlOn on the
Pacific Railroad, or 20 respond to 4
many invitations TO tako a drink. Ilr
remember, after awhile, of hearing q
Che words "move onn but cannot 7
say whether they came from the lamp. {
post or we're but the wailings of the Z
passing evening wind. I have dim !
recollection Of parting from my com. :
pauions, and Of going of solitary and
alone in one direction, while they dis. '
appeared in another
Then there was hiatus, as Il were, :
of Inconsistencies, until the shriI !
voice Of the brakeman announced J.
"Altoona--ffteen minutes for break c
last y j rose from my scat, shook r
myself, and mingled with the crowd a
as they entered the refreshment room. {
Ai'er satisfying the sinner man." s
returned to the car, and we sped on L
westward, ] did not remem Der how c
! haa got aboard at the CITY, but 1 a
knew that men do rational things s