The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1872-08-01
ONLY AN ENGINE DRIVER



make large dividends, and, to that end,
paid him too little money to enable him
TO live nearer to his work, and, partly be-
cause the engine driver and his wife from
the country wanted their home to be In q
house they could have all to themselves.
Our engine drivers name was Frank
Dee. He had been on one railroad Tor
twenty years, and was one of the tried
and trusty men, that somehow cannot get
promoted, because they are so useful; and
yet he was always hoping to get up higher
and have bigger salary. One night not
long ago, it was very cold. The cold had
been getting stronger every heur for two
days, and the wind was bitter and cutting.
All day Frank Dee had been exposed to
it-but new, it was time for him to come
home.-I wish you could nave seen how
bright the little room was made for him.
TIE be sure, it was always bright with Or
der and cleanliness, but this night we are
writing about, it ehone with wonderful
welcome.
The Christmas greens still hung upon
the walls. The engineer had jumped
frem his machine one day, when waiting
near wild glen, and gathered wealth
of princess pine and mountain laurel. He
had carried them home to beautify the
place at Christmas time, and, as I wrote,
they were still upon the walls on this
night
Oh mamma ant you glad papa doesn t
have to be out all night, this Winter p
asked Mary Dee, as she stood looking and
watching for her father to get down frona
each car, that passed the corner, on the
avenue.
every glad, Maro," SAID Mrs. Dee from
the kitchen close by. She was giving the
last Oaste to a chicken that was roasting
for their coming supper.
"Here he is !" shouted Mary, "and Frank
is with him. Now we shall have them
both all the evening"" and away she
sprang for the table cloth. Before it was
fairly spread the engine driver and his
son came ia.
care you frozen ?" asked his wife, lift
ing up her warm face to his cold check
for kiss; land did you get through 81
right to.day?'
"AlI right, Molly, but l had narrow
miss to-day, and if it had happened
should have left off railreading for the
rest of my life.
Papa !" exclaimed Mary, the daughter
"You didn't come near getting killed
did you 90
"No, but" and the mans eyes filled
with sudden moisture, "a home some
where came near having dead child IL
it to- night. A little chap, in dresses
came sliding on a sled down hill wher
the Evan Wrinkle" was close by. The boy
was not old enough to know anything
about SLED, and it ran right on She tracl
and got caught on the second rail, leaving
the child right in front.
80 papa, what did you do?" CRIED
Mary, claspipg her hands together.
DO! what could I do but spring t.
the front and seize the petticoats and tos
him off into the snow. Just then, | heard
a shrek and, looking up the hill, saw
some woman, its mother, may be, lifting
her arms over her head. She saw me
throw the child, and then she came dOwr
the hill, but she didn't get to him before
got out of sight, but the COY jumped W
and swung his little hat In the air, and
knew he was all right but when he cam
to look for his sled, I reckon the little
fellow was puzzled to find it,"
"Bless you for that goodness to som
mother, Frapk; if anything happens t.
you, shall be glad you did it" said Mrs
Dee.
"There isn't anything going to happier
to father. He is too good for that" spok
up Frank. He is going to live until
grow up and know enough to drive a.
engine, aren't you, father ?"
Il hope so, boy, but you mustn't tall
like that, don't like to hear you. Mo
ly I'm hungry man tonight"
"And your supper is just ready"
While they were at the table, a DO
touched the bell knob at the door anc
Y Mary, going to answer the call, found
Geographic message there.
Papa, it's for you. Maybe the ma
whose boy you saved, has sent you a pres
ent," she said, as she gave it to him. -
would, if were him."
The engine driver held the bit of pape
in his weather. beaten fingers, full min
ute, it seemed to his wife, ere he had til
courage to say, molly Ben Lanes ba
by is going to die before morning and h
wants me to take his place on the Amer
ca for the up trip tonight. He says h
|. shan't rest content to risk his train will
another man on the road. What shall
Il do about it ?"
The little wife laughed. "You know
Frank, you wouldn't stay at home, if
said "no" thousand times. Of cours
you'll CO." and then shadow stole owe
her face Railroad mems wives have sue
nerveaching hours, and it's such sweet re
lief to have one's cares within four wall
u now and then, that it is no wonder tina
this wife could not smile long that night
So they wrapped him up, mufling ever
+. inch of skin that could be spared from
the cutting cold. Mary slyly took slice
of chicken and sandwiched them int,
bread and tucked the bundle it made int
p a big side pocket. Frank begged so t.