South-eastern Independent. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1871-1871, 1871-09-22
TIE ENGINEERS STORY.

gine 10 charge-the San Francisco-th
prettiest engine on the road, and as wei
managed, if say it, as the best.
1t vas a southwestern road, running
so we will say, from A to z. at A m,
god old mother lived; st z l had III
sweetest little wife under the sun, ant
baby; and always had dollar or tw,
put by for rainy day. Twas sn odd kint
of man. Being shut up with an engine
watching with all your eyes and heart an,
soul, inside and out don't make a MAJ
talkatiYe.
My wife's name was Josephine, and
called her Joe. Some people call me un
sociable snd couldn't understand how
man could feel friendly without saying
ten words an hour So, though had
| few friends-dear ones, tool did no
have so many acquaintance as most peo
pie, and did not care to have. The hous'
which held my wife and baby was thu
dearest spot on earth to me except the ole
house that held my mother, up st A
/ never belonged to a club, or mixed
myself up with strangers in any such way
and never should, if it hadn't been fol
CRANKY. You see CRANKY was one of ths
share holders, handsome, snowy fellow
l liked to talk with him aud we were
friends. He often rode from y to A, anG
back again with me, and once he sad:
You ought to belong to the Scientific
Club, Guelden."
II never heard of it." ssidI.
al am a member" said he. ave meet
once fortnight and have a jolly good
time. We want thinking men like you
We have some among US now. I'll pro
pose you if you like"
was fond of such things, and had
ideas that fancied might be worth some.
thing. But the engineer don't have nights
or days to himself, and the club would
have one evening fortnight from Joe.
said:
"Iwill ask her. If she likes it, yes"
"Ask whom?" said he.
"Joe," said |.
If every man mad asked his wife, every
mans 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 1 told
Joe. She said:
az shall miss you, Ned; but you do
love such thinfs, and then if CRANKY be-
longs they must be superior men"
mo doubt" said L .
at isn't everybody who could be made
member" said Joe. "Why, of course
you must say yes.'
So 1 seid yes, and CRANKY proposed me.
Thursday fortnight 1 went with him to
the rooms. The real business of the eve
ming was the supper, and so it was every
evening.
I'd always been temperate man. ac-
iuslly did not know what effect wine
would have on me; but coming to drink
more of it than ever had before, at the
club table, found it put steam on. After
so many glasses wanted to talk; after so
many more did.
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 puns. / heard somebody say to
CRANKY: By George, that's man worth
having. l thought him dull at first" Y ct
l knew it Wss better to be quiet Ned
Guel6en, with his ten words an hour, than
the wine-made wit l was.
Twas sure of it when three months af-
ter stumbled up stairs to find Joe wait
ing for me with her baby on her breast.
you've been deceiving me-" said Joe.
suspected it, but l wasn't sure. A sci
entiic club couldn't smell like a bar
room"
(which means I do" said 1 wayering
IN the middle of the room like a signal
fag at station, and seeing two Joes.
And look like one" sad Joe; and went
and locked herself and the baby in the
spare bedroom.
One club night as was dressed to go,
Joe stood before me.
GO Nod co III che 90 had To,,IE fr
find with you before. You've been kind,
and good, and loving always; but should
be sorry we ever met if you go on in this
way. Don't ask me what l mean. You
know"
"Joe," said /, ats only on club night"
ait will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my
neck.
Ned" said she, "do you think thing
so much like bolted up and strapped
down demon as steam is, is fit to put into
the hands of drunken man? Ard some
day, mark my-words, not only Thursday
night, but all the days of the week will be
the same. have often heard you wonder
what the feelings of an engineer who has
about the same as murdered train full of
people must be, and you'll know if you
don't stop where you are. A STEADY hand
and q clear head have been your blessings
81 these years. Don't throw them away.
Ned, if you don't care for my love, don't
ruin yourself"
My little Joe. She. spoke from her
heart, and bent over and kissed her.
"Don't be afraid, child. I'll never pain
you again"
Aud l meant it; but at twelve O'Clock
that night felt that had forgotten my
promise and my resolution.
1 couldn't get home to Joe. made up
my mind to sleep on the club sofa, and
leave the place for good the next day. Al
really / felt my brain reel as it had never
done before. In an hour was in kind
of stupor. It was morning. A waiter
stood ready to brush my coat. 1 saw a
grin on his face. My heart seemed ready
to burst; my hand trembled; looked at
nv watch; had only just five minutes to
reach the depoti
Joe's words came to mind. Was I fit to
take charge of an engine? was not fit
to answer. l ought to have asked some
sober man. As it was, 1 only caught my
hat and rushed away. was just in time
The San Francisco glittered in the sun.
The cars were filling rapidly. From my
post could hear the people talking-bid-
ding each other goodbye, promising to
write and come again. Among them
was an old gentleman knew by sight
oIle of the Shareholders; he was bidding
two timid girls adieu.
"Good-b bye, Kitty-good- Lue." 1
heard him say; "don't be nervous. The
San Francisco is the safest engine on the
line, and Guelden the most careful en-
gineer. Iwouid't be afraid to trust every
mortal / love to their keeping Nothing
could lappsn wrong with the two to-
gether."
7 said I'll get through it somehow, and
Joe shall never talk to me again. After
al, it was easy enough. reeled ss l
spoke. I heard the SIGNAL We were of.
Five hours from L. to D.; five houls
back. On the last 1 should be myself
Ggsin, knew now. l saw red fulter,
and never guessed what it was until we
we're past the down tain at the wrong
Place. Two minutes more and we should
have had collision. Somebody told me.
7 laughed. heard him say respectfully:
"Of course, Mr. Guelden, you know
what you are about;'
Then l was alone, and wondering
whether should go faster CT slower. l
did something, and the cars rushs d on at a
fearful late. The same man who had spo-
ken to me before was Standing near me.
! heard some question.