The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-07-04
THE ENGINEERS STORY

OF nearly every udy Oh my ire.
For good while I've had the same en-
CINE in charge--the San Francisco, the
prettiest engine OH the road, and as we'll
managed, if say it, as the best.
1t was southwestern road, running as
we will say, from A. to T. At A. my
good old mother lived at z. had the
sweetest little wife under the sun, and
baby and always had dollar or two
put by for rainy day. was an odd
kind Of man. Being shut up with an
engine, watching with all your eyes and
heart and soul, inside and out, don't make
man laxative.
My wife's name was Josephine and I
called her Joe. Some people called me
unsociable AMI couldn't understand how
man could feel friendly without saying
ten words an hour. So though I had q
few friends-dear ones, tool did not
have SO many acquaintences as most per-
sons, and did not care to have. The house
which held my wife and baby was the
dearest spot on earth to ME, except the
one that held my mother up 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
CRANKY. You see CRANKY was one of the
share holders, handsome, snowy fellow,
and we were friends He often rode from
A. to z. and back with me. Once he
said:
"You ought to belong to the Scientific
Club, Guelden."
81 never heard Of it, said I.
Il am member" said he. We meet
once fortnight, and have jolly good
time. We want thinking men like you,
and I'll propose you if you like"
I was fond of such things, and l had
ideas that l fancied might be worth some.
thing. But the engineer don't have days
or nights to himself, and the club would
have one evening fortnight from Joe, ]
said:
Il will ask her If she likes 1t, yes"
"Ask whom ?" he said.
"Joe," 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
Joe. She said
Il shall miss you, Ned but you do love
such things, and if CRANKY belongs to it
they must be superior men.
So said yes, and CRANKY proposed ne.
Thursday fortnight went with him to
the rooms. The real business Of the even
ing was the supper, and so it was an
evening.
l had always been a temperate man. |
did not know what effect wine would
have on me, but coming to drink more OF
1t than l ever had before at the club table.
found it put steam on. After so MANY
glasses l wanted to talk, and after so
many more l did.
L seemed like somebody else, the words
were so ready. My ideas came out and
were listened to. made sharp hits and
INDUCED in repartee, told stories, and
even came to puns. heard some one say
to CRANKY, "By George, that's man
worth having,I thought him dull at first, "
Yet | knew 1t was better to be quiet Ned
Guelden, with his ten words an hour than
the the wine-made wit was
was sure of it when three months af.
terWard L stumbled up stairs to find Joe
waiting for me with her babe on her
breast.
you've been deceiving me-" said Joe
II suspected it, but wasn't certain. A
scientific club couldn't smell like bar
room"
(Which means that do" said T.
"And look like one," said Joe, and lock.
ed herself and BABY up in the spare bed
room.
One night as I was dressed to go, Joe
Stood before me-
"Ned," said she, never had any fault
to lind with you before. You've been
KIND and good and loving always but |
should be sorry we ever met if YOU 90 on
in this way Don't ask W hat mean, YOU
know"
"It's only club night" said.
ut will grow" said she.
Lnen she put her arms around my neck.
"Ned," said she, edo you think a thing
SO much like bolted and strapped down
demon as steam is. is fit to put into the
hands OF drunken man? And some day,
mark my wordsnot only Thursday night.
but al 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 clear head have been your bless
ings all these years Don't throw them
away. Ned, if you don't care for nv
love, don't ruin yourself"
My little Joe. She spoke from her
heart and bent down and kissed her.
Don't be afraid child I'll not pain
you again"
And | meant it; but at twelve o'clock
that night felt had forgotten my prom.
Use and my resolution.
couldn't get home to Joe. I made up
my mind to sleep on the club room sofa.
and leave the place for good the next day.
Already felt my brain reel as it had
never done before. In an hour was in q
1sS.aI &C ~. \ - ~ \.