The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1870-01-15
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caR1sTMAs ON = LOCOMOTIVE.

The F. Station. The snow reached nearly
to his knees as he left the door, beneath which
stood little woman, who, with anxious face
was watching lis departure As Carl laid has
cloved hand upon the latch oi the garden gate,
The cried:
IN be there with the hos coffee as soon as
I've put the babe TO sleep"
"But don't be two minutes toe late old girl,
ss you We're yesterday eve; for l was already
mile on the road before you entered the Station
shouted he, just as heavy gust of wind blew
wreath Of Snow into his face Without needing
What she retorted, he pulled the largo woolen
comforter closer around his neck, and walked as
fast as the depth Of the snow permitted, toward
the Station.
Wen have al ugly night, sir, with plenty of
snow said Franz Dellon, the fireman who,
with oil-can in hand, stood close to the driving
wheel Of the Eagle" the largest Of the express
engines belonging TO the railroad company
"The Eagle viii carry rs through it, tho
we've only fifty miles to run, and we'll he back
by midnight" answered Carl as he took g small
hammer III hand and began to knock against the
wheels and sxles of the locomotive, which gave
back the clear metallic sound indicating that
ro.hing was cracked. Meanwhile Franz had
sprung upon the platform before the boiler,
opening the furnace door and was throwing more
fuel upon the blazing pile within.
Glow much steam?" cried Carl without
IOoklIlS IRON ais occupation.
"Ninety-hve and rising replied the fireman,
shutting the door with bang that awakened
tbs echoes Of the vast edifce
Carl took of his gloves and drew large sill
yer watch from his waist-coat pocket.
"TeN fainutea more and we will rush through
the Storm" said he to himself.
Franz descended from The locomotive and ap-
preached the engineer, who saw that something
was wrong with his fireman, as he said in a
"Well, what's up now! Something amiss up
there 7" and he pointed toward the Eagle
"Nothing wrong there" answered the fire.
man, "but something wrong here" lie pressed
his hands uyon his breast.
"Sick, eh y ;nterrogatel Carl.
"Tm not Sick but my wife and Labe are lying
in bed and no ono to tend TO them wish
Hans was here to take my place." said Franz,
as he drew the sleeve of his coat across his eyes
"Too late, Tor | saw Hans pass the cottage
Al hour ago. He had large bundle upon his
shoulders, Christmas presents, suppose, for his
children. Besides, he can't run on this train
he has to fire up the freight engine about eleven
tonight" remarked Carl, with compassionate
look. lie knew that his frcman was too poe- to
hire q nurse. In the Southern part of Germany
the fremen and engineers are but poorly paid
They receive scarcely enough wages to keep body
and soul together
"Why are you standing around and talking
there cried little wiry man, in a harsh tone.
Carl touched his cap.
Hes got sick family at home, SIR" said he
in low tone.
Owe have nothing to DO WIFI si6s, families
here. The company pays You, and if YOU don't |
do your duty, you are discharged, AID there's an |
end Of it,"
Saying this tho little man, who was tie sta
ton master, turned and walked t,war; his Office. |
Rather hard, but we lave 70 bear it," re-
marked Carl, looking onXioy=ly toward the en-
trance. lis lace assumed cheerful, expression |
e. he saw little aaOw-covered woman ascend |
the stairs leading to tie PLATFORM As soon as she
came near Carl, she opened her shawl and pro-
duced wicker basket, the lid of which she |
quickly opened. The fragrant steam Of coffee |
issued from il.
Give brought two cuptuls; besides, I've baked |
nice fruit o-.o; Ln10 you like them, and |
il. Christmas Eve, too, But whats the matter !
with Franz c:iei che iI,er-upting herself
"W.;o sicL b-oy sick, 10 one to tend to en-"
replied Carl, spping his coffee.
'Giye him some coffee and u piece of cake
he'll need it, poor fellow" said she in low tone
Gs she gazed st Fran, who vas leaning despond- |
ingly against the huge driving wheel of the lo- |
connective.
Carl complied with The request of his wife.
"Quick, drink this, and eat this cake we've
only got FIVE minutes more before we start"
The engineers wife whispered into Frarz's
ears
"Ies, Go, and don't be downcast, for I'll 90
home, get my babe, and 90 over to your house
and tend
Her voice was drowned by the noise of the
steam, IS it began 70 escape from the safety valve
OF the Eagle.
With a look Of gratitude upon his face. Franz
guiped down the coffee, and handing back the
cup, with cake in hand, lie sprang upon the 10.
connective.
Clang, clang, clang, pealed forth the bell, CIV.
ing the signal. W-r-r-r-r, click, click. click.
click, sounded the wire as the TELEGRAPH sent
forth its message that the train would start in
one minute, and louder and louder ursw thu
noise Of the pent.up steam.
Taking the head OF his wife in both his hands.
Carl. drew her face towards him, and imprinted
kiss upon nor lips. Then ne sprang upon the
little platform. Taking hold of the handle of the
throttle valve, he gave it slight push just as the
clock showed the hour Of four One more look
he cast at the platform where his wife stood then
lie turned his lace t0wards the tunuel.like open.
Ing Of the railroad station.
Out into tho cold, cutting air the train rushed
with increGs'ng speed High wreaths Of snow
Whlrled pLs: the shivering forms of the engineer
and fireman, for IN Germany there is no: that
oaoiH-!iEe cover upon a locomotive which pro.
tects the engineer from the cutting winds. No:
only aslight iron railing keeps him from falling
Oh. ~N!i, pun, pun, came from the cylinders,
and shower Oh sparks came from the short
smoke-stack as swtter and sw!tor tie train sned
on lts iron way. Soon the wheels became en-
crnstei with ice, for tAe thermometer was hollow
Zero and, es the darkness increased the red lgb+
from the large lantern in front Of the Locomotive
threw Its iurid glare upon the banks of spo,v n,