The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-12-11

self. -
My little Joe, she spoke from her heart
and | bent over and kissed her.
Don't be afraid child lii never
pain you again.
And | meant it; but at - o clock that
night | felt that l had forgotten my
promise and my resolution.
| couldn't go home to Joe. | made
up my mind to sleep on the club sofa,
and leave the place for good next day.
Already I felt my brain reel as it had
never done before. In a. hour [ was in
kind of stupor II was morning. A
waiter stood ready to brush my coat. ]
saw grin on his face. My heart seem
ed ready to burst my hand trembled
[ looked at my watch | had lust five
minutes to reach the depot.
Joe's words came to my mind. Was
| fit to take charge Of an engine ? | was
not fis TO answer, ought to have asked
some sober man. As it was | only caught
up my hat and rushed away, I was just
in time.
The San Francisco glistened in the
sun The cars were filing rapidly. From
my post [ could bear the people talking
bidding each other goodbye, and prom
Using to write and come again. Among
them was an old gentleman | knew by
sight-one OF the shareholders. He was
bidding two timid girls adieu.
Goodbye Katie, good bye Lue,
[ heard him say don't be nervous.
The San Francisco is the safest engine
on the line, and Guelden the most care
full engineer | would not be afraid to
trust every mortal to their keeping.
Nothing could happen wrong with the
two together
| said well get through it somehow,
and Joe shall never talk to me again.
After all, it was easy enough.
| reeled as | spoke. | heard the signal
We are off.
Five hours from L. to d. five hours
back again. | knew now that on the last
run l should be myself again. saw a
fiutter, and never knew what it was until
we had passed the train at the wrong
place Two minutes more and we should
have collision Somebody told me, and
[ laughed. | heard the shareholder say,
respectfully:
'Of course, Mr.. Guelden you know
what you are about.
Then | was alone and wondering
whether | should go faster or slower. [
did something and the cars rushed on at
a fearful rate. The same man who had
spoken to me befoae was standing near
me- | heard the question
"How many miles an hour are we
lnaking?"
Il don't know" l said.
Rattle, rattle, rattle | was trying to
now slacken the speed of the San Fran
cisco. | could not remember what l
should do-was it this or that-which
was faster or slower? was playing with
the engine like child.
Suddenly there was horrible roar-a
crash [ was flung somewhere. 1t was
in the water. By miracle [ was sober
ed, not hurt. | gained the shore. l
stood upon the ground between the track
and the waters edge, and there gazed at
my work.
The engine was in fragments, the cars
in splinters and the dying and wounded
were strewn around-men, women and
children, old age and youth. There were
groans and shrieks of despair. The
manned cried out in pain the uninj ured
bewailed their dead, and voice. unheard
by any ether. was in my ear. whispering
murder ~
The news had gone to A. and the peo-
pie came thronging down to find their
lost onsee Searching for an old man S
daughter, [ came to a place under the
trees, and found five bodies lying there
all in their rigid horror-an old woman,
a young one, baby, and two tiny chill
dren. Was it fancy-was it pure
fancy, born TO my anguish ?-they look
like-oh, heaVenl they were my mother,
my wife, my own ehildren-all cold and
dead.
How did they come on the train :?
What change had brought this about :?
No one could answer. [ groaned, [
screamed, | clasped my hands, tore my
hair, | gazed on the good face of her
who gave me birth, on the lovely, cold
face of my wife, on my innocent children.
I called them by name-there was no
answer. There never could be there
never would be.
A whistle! Great God Onward up
the track Numbered another train Its
red eyes glared upon me; [ threw my
self before it | felt it crush me to
atoms
His head is extremely hot said
somebody. l opened my eyes, it was
my wife.
''Hod do you feel?" said she, "a little
better?'
| was so rejoiced and astonished by the
sight of her that could not speak at first.
She repeated the question.
Il must be crushed to pieces" said I
for the train went over me, but l feel
no pain.
There he goesabout the train again,
said my wife.
Why, l tried to move there was
nothing the matter with me- | was in
my own room opposite to me was crib
in which my child was asleep. My wife
and child were safe. Was I delirious or
what could it be
joe" | cried. 'tell me what has
happened.
Its o clock" said joe You came
home in such state from the club that
l could not wake you. You wern't fit
to manage steam and risk peoples lives.
/ The San Francisco is half way to A. /
suppose. and you've been frightening