The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1872-05-02
NUMBER 43.
Only An Engine Driver.

because the officers OF the ro4l wagtrd TO-
make large dividehs, and to that en- paid
him too little money to enable him 10 live
nearer his work. and partly because the
engine driver and his wife from the ccuntry
wanted there home to be in house they
could have all to themselves.
Our engine drivers name was Frank
Dee. He had been on the road twenty
years, ard was one Of the tried and tru,t}
men that somehow cannot get promnted
because they are so useful; and Vet 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 hour for two DAYS,
and the wind was bitter and cutting. An
day Frank Dee had been exposed to it
but now it was time for him 10 come home
| wish you could have seen how bright
the little room was made for him. To be
sure, it was always bright with order ind
cleanliness, but this night we are writing
ab at, it shone with wonderful welcome
Christmas greens still hung upon the
walls. The engineer had jumped from
his machine one day, wher waiting near =
wild glen, and gathered a wreath Of priu-
cess pine and mountain laurel He had
carried them home to beauty the place
at Christmas time; and, rs | wrote, they
were still or the walls this night
80 mamma amt you gla@ papa dosen't
have to be out all night, this winter -
asked Mary Dee, as she stood looking amt
watching for her father to get down from
each car that passed the corner on The
avenne.
Very glad Mary" said Ms. Dee from
the kitchen close bv She was giving the
last haste to a chicken that was roasting
for their coming supper,
"Heie he il !" shouted Mary. s.and
Frank is with him. Now we shall havp
them both ali the evening"" and away Sh"
sprang f3r the table cloth Before it was
fairly spread the engine driver and his son
came in.
care you frozen ." asked his wife, If
ing up her warm face to h- cold cheek
ter a kiss: ''ard did you get through ali
right to day ?'
"Al right, Molly. but had marrow
miss to-day, and it it had happened [
should have lett off railroading for The lc>t
OF my life.
'Ptptm exclaimed Mary the daughter
lyon didn't come near getting killed did
YOU ?'
-No' pu', an" tle man eyes niIed
Win suo"eh m"lSl.re' "a nome some
"here came near haVing dtad chlld III II
'o-mi2ht- y 'ltlle chap' IN dresses, came
Sldlng on Il SLED down a hlli When the
van " NIKE was close hy me boy was
hoF ora enough TO Know anything atoui -
SLED, ana 1t ran flght on the lrhcN and gor
caught on the second rail, leaving the
child right IN front.
go papa, what did YOU DO =" cried
Mary, cltSping hef hands together.
'D'! whaC could d" but spring to 'hr
'front.' ana >eize the Peftir"2fs 1h' toS1 hlw
"n INT" the SNOW. Jh-t then heard "a
shrek and, looking up tht hl'i saw SOM
woman, II mother, may w., lifting her
arms over her head. Sh" saw me throw
lht child ana then She cam" doNn th"
mt, but she didnt get t" htn before g"t
on OF >l2h', hnt thr hnV ~ nprd un aud
swung his Lutte hat IN me air, and Knew
he WAS all n@ht; tut when he came 10
look Tor ms ~leh, reckon the llltle fellow
was puzzled TO hnd it."
"Bles' vou for that goodness 70 some
mother, Frank; if anything happens to
y"u, shall be glad you did IT." said Mrs.
Dee.
mere lSn [ ahVthihg gong I" happen
10 father, he > too good for that, spoke
up Frank. 'ie Is gong T. Inv" until |
grow up and know enough to drive an
engine. aren't You, father H.
81 hope 50, boy, but you mustn't talk
ike that, don't like to hear you. Molly,
an hungry man Tonight"
"Ana your supper is just ready
Waile they were at the able, a boy
touched the bell knob At the door. and
Mtry, going to answer the call, found a
photographic message there.
Papa, it, for You Mtvbe the man
whose boy you saved, has sent Yon a
present. She said, a. she gave ii to him.
II would, if | were him"
The engine driver held the bit of paper
in his weather beaten fingers Il full
minute, it seemed to his wife. ere he ha
courage to say, "Molly Ben I4ne's baby
is going to die before morning and he
wants me to take his place on the America
for the up trip to night He says he shan't
rest content to risk his train with another
man on the road. What SHALL do about
it ~
The little wife laughed lyon know.
J,-. I