Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-08-30
GJ-ELDEN',S LAST DRINK.

" tEL/IIN - LL-1DI DhlNh,
Ihave travelled this road every day ofmy
life, ever since it was laid, in charge of
the San Francisco, the prettiest and
best engine ON the line. 1t was south
western road, running, as we will say,
from A. to Il. At A. my mother lived,
and at Il. had the sweetest little wife
In the world, and baby the very image
OF its pa. l had always had dollar or
two put by for rainy day, and the boys
spoke of me as an odd kind of man. To
be shut up with an engine, watching
with all your eyes and heart and soul
don't make conscientious man talka-
tive, and l never squandered my leisure
spinning yarns and listening to railway
jokes i'll the 'round-house. My wife's
name was Josephine, and 1 called her
"Joe."
never had belonged to any of the
railway clubs or other organizations,
and never should if it hadn't been for
Niranby. CRANKY was Il nephew of our
division superintendent, and it's n fail
ing of we men of the road that we like
to be noticed by the fellows at head
quarters, if only permitted to touch the
hem OF their garments. CRANKY was Il
SNOWY fellow, and often rode with me
from A. to u. He had a good opinion
OF me, and RS far as I know we were
good friends. Once he said to me
lou ought to belong to the Railway
Scientific Club, Guelden."
Nevor heard of it, said /.
We meet once fortnight" he re-
piled, sand have 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 evening a
fortnight from Joe. l said:
"I will ask her. If she likes it,
yes"
"Ask whom - he said.
''Joe," said I.
eff every man had asked his wife,
every mans wife would have said ::
Cant spare you, my DEAR and we
should have no club at ALL" said
CRANKY.
But 1 made no answer. At home l
told Joe. She said
6 | shall miss you, Ned but you do
love such things, and if CRANKY belongs
to it they must be superior men,"
So 1 said "yes,' and CRANKY pro-
posed me. Thursday fortnight l went
with him to the rooms. The real bust
ness of the evening was the supper.
L had always been temperate man.
[ did not know what effect wine could
have on me, but coming to drink more
of it than had ever before at the club
table, found it put steam ON. After
so many glasses, L wanted to talk, and
after so many did.
l seemed like somebody else, the
words were 50 ready. My ideas came
out and were listened to. l made sharp
hits and INDUCED in repartee, told
stories, and even came to puns. / heard
somebody say: CRANKY, by George,
that's man worth having. thought
him dull at first" Yet l 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 hours
after L stumbled upstairs to find Joe
waiting for me, with her baby on her
breast.
you've been deceiving me-" said
Joe; l. suspected it, but wasn't sure.
a scientific club couldn't smell like a
bar-room."
Which means that do" said 1.
"And look like one," said Joe, as she
locked herself and baby in the spare
bedroom.
One night was dressed in my Sun.
day suit, ready to go back to the club,
when Joe stood before me.
Ned" said she, - never had q
fault to find with you before. You've