The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1870-07-21
WHAT THE ENGINEER TOLD.

WHAT THE ENGINEER TOLD.
[ am an engineer. Ever since the
road was laid, I've travelled over it every
dav. or nearly every day Of my life.
For good while I've had the same
engine in charge-the San Francisco
the prettiest engine on the road, and as
well managed, if I say it, as the best
It was a southwestern road running,
we will say from A. to r. At A. my
-cood old mother lived at z. | had the
sweetest little wife under the sun, ard
baby; and [ always had dollar or two
put by for rainy day. I 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
make a man laxative.
My wife name was Josephine, and [
called her 10. Some people called me
unsociable, and couldn' understand how
man could feel friendly without saying
ten words an hour So though [ had few
old friends-dear ones, tool had not as
many acquaintance 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.
I'd never belonged to club, or mixed
myself up with strangers, In such way.
and never should, if it hadn't been for
CRANKY You see CRANKY was one of
the shareholders, handsome, snowy
fellow. [ liked to talk to 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, Gueldon.'
''Never heard of it, said l.
I am a membor," said he 1--WE
meet once a fortnight, and have jolly
good time. We have some amongst us
now. I'll propose you if you like"
/ was fond of such things, and had an
idea that I fancied I might be worth
something. But then an engineer don t
have nights or days 20 himself. and the
club would take one evening fortni ght
from 10 I said:
.7'.I'll ask her. IF she likes it. yes
"Ask whom?'' said he.
"Jo," said I.
IF every man had asked his wife,
every mans wife would have said, cant
spare you my dear and We should have
had no club at ALL" said CRANKY.
But made no answer. At home [
told 10. She said:
l shall miss you, Ned but you do
love such things, and tEen if Mr. CRANKY
belongs they must be superior men.
No doubt said l.
1t isn't everybody who could be made
member" said Jo. 'Why, of course
you must saw yesn
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 business of the evening was the sup
per, and so 1t was every evening.
Id 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 be-
fore at the club table, [ found it put the
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 listened to. | made sharp hits;
| INDUCED in repartee; | told stories, [
even came to pu1s / heard somebody
say to CRANKY: by George, that's a
man worth knowing. | thought him
duh at first" Yet I.knew it was better
to be quiet Ned Gueldon, 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 ,ic. waiting for me, with the babe on
her breast.
''Y We been deceiying me-, said 10.
i've, expected it, but | wasn't sure \
scientific club couldn't smell like bar
room.
(Which means I do" said [ waving
in the middle OF the room Ike a signal
flag at a station. and seeing two Jos.
And look ike one, F" sand 10. and she
went and locked herself and the baby in
the spare bedroom.
One cold night, as was dressed to go,
10. stood before me.
Ned, " said she, Il never mad fault
to find with you before, I'll say that
You've been good, and kind, and loving
always but l should be sorry we ever
met if you were to go on this way. Don't
ask me what | mean. You know.
so, said [, its only on club night.
cit will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my
neck.
Ned, said she, 'sdo you think thing
so much like bottled up and strapped
down demon as steam is, is fit to be put
into TIE hands Of drunken man? And
some day, mark my words, the time will
come when not only on 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 Is murdered a train 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
blessings all these years. Don't throw
them away, Ned. If you don't care for
my love, don't ruin YOURSELF
My little 10. She spoke from her heart
and | bent over and kissed her.
Don't be afraid, child" I said I'll
never pain you again.
And | meant it; but at twelve that
night. | felt that had forgotten the
promise and my resolution.
l couldn't go home to 10. made UP
my mind to sleep on the club sofa and
leave the place for good aext day. Al
ready felt my brain reel as it never had
before. In an hour was in kind of a
stupor.
II was morning. A waiter stood ready
to brush my coat. l saw a grin on his