The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-07-04

'Never heard of it said ]"
'We meet once a fortnight" he
replied, "and have a jolly good time.
We want practical, thinking men of
your sort and I'll propose you, if
you like"
was fond of such things, and l had
ideas that l fancied might be worth
something. But the engineer don't
have many nights or days to himself,
and the club would have one even
ing fortnight from Joe, 1 said;
Il will ask her. If she likes it,
yes"
"Ask whom?o he said.
"Joe," said /.
"If every man had asked his wife;
every mans wife would have said
Can't spare you, my DEAR" said
CRANKY.
But l made no answer. At home
l told Joe. She said:
81 shall miss you Ned; but you
do love such things, and If CRANKY
belongs to it they must be superior
men,"
SO I said eyes," and CRANKY pro-
posed me. Thursday fortnight l
went with him to the rooms. The
Zeal business of the evening was sup
per.
had always been a temperate
man. l didn't know what effect
the 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 talk, a1d af-
ter so many more, / did.
l seemed like somebody else, the
words were so ready. My ideas
came cut and were listened to.
made sharp hits and indulged in
repartee, told stories, and even came
to puns. I heard somebody say,
"Granby, by George, that's a man
worth having. 1 thought him dull
at first" Yet knew it was better
to be quiet Ned Guelden, with his
ten words an hour, than the wine
made wit l was.
was sure of it, when three months
after | stumbled upstairs to find Joe
waiting for me with her baby on her
breast.
you've been deceiving me-" said
Joe; 81 suspected it but wasn't sure.
A scientific club couldn't smell like
a bar-room."
(Which means that 1 do," said I.
"And look like one," said Joe,
as she locked herself and baby in
the spare bedroom.
One night 1 was dressed in my
Sunday, ready to go to the club,
when Joe stood before me.
'Ned," said she, 81 never had
fault to find with you before. You
have been good, and kind, and low
ing always; but l should be sorry
We ever met if you go on in this
way. Don't ask what l mean-you
know"
dts only club night" said I.
cit will grow" said she.
Then she put her arms around my
neck.
'Ned," said she, "do you think
thing so much like a bolted and
strapped down demon as steam is, is
fit to put in the hands of a drunken
man? And some day, mark my
words, not only Thursday night, but
all the days of The week will be the
same. l have often heard you won
der what the feelings of an engineer
who has about the same as murdered
a train full of people must be, and
you'll know if you don't stop where
you are. A steady hand and a clear
head have been your blessing all
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."
And l meant it: but at twelve
O'Clock that night 1 felt that had
forgotten my promise and my reso-
luton.
couldn't get home to Joe.
made up nay mind to sleep on the
Club 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 kind
of stupor. 1t was morning. A
waiter stood ready to brush my coat.
l saw 4 grin on his face. My heart
seemed ready to burst; my hand
trembled; 1 looked at my watch; l
had only just five minutes to reach
the depot!
"Joe's words came to my mind.
Was I fit to take charge of an en-
gine? 1 was not fit to answer.
ought to have asked some sober
man. AS it was, l only caught my
hat and rushed away. was just in
time.
The San Francisco glistened in
the sun. The cars were filed rapid
ly. From my post 1 could hear the
people talking-bidding each other
good by, and promising TO write and
come again. Among them was an
old gentleman I knew by sight-one
Of the shareholders; he was bidding
two timid girls adieu.
"Good-by, Kittie; good-by, Lue,"
I heard him saw: "dOn't he nervous