The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1873-05-13
Joe and /.
BY MRS. l.. Il. POOLE.


In the first place, the biscuits were
spelling, and Joc knew I was making bis.
cults, too, for he saw me moulding them
when the train went by, and | looked up
to catch the familiar salute from the Gu
gine. You see | used to time my work
more by the trains than by the clock, for
though five o'clock was our tea hour, there
was not much use in getting it ready,
when Joe might be fifty miles up the
road sin the ditch" as he used TO say
when he went off the track.
So used to put on the tea-kcttlc when
the train went past at four o'clock, then
when Joe began to ring, coming into the
yard, | knew it was time to set the table.
As said, tea was ready, and the biscuits
were spelling SO | vibrated between the
oven and the window which looked to.
ward the engine house, to catch the first
glimpse Of Joe's blue ovcralls and glazed
cap,
knew as well as wanted to know
that he was chatting comfortably away
with Dick or Tom, about the new style Of
smoke-stacks or the merits of pump in
jectors That was always his way; get
him started on the subject oc steam, and
he never knew when to come home. But
at last he came swinging up the track
stepping from tie to tie with the long
stride and slight stoop usually as charac.
teristic Of railroad man as dinner pail
and lantern
He came in, set down his pail, and
when Eddie ran to be taken up, displayed
to him pair OF hands which would have
done justice to coal-heavcr, and which
effectually frightened the child away,
What in the world made you so late
Joe ? said |, transferring the biscuits tc
the table, aud pouring the boiling water
upon the tea In the tin teapot.
A hot journal, said Joe, lacouically
turning to the sink.
l Was about as wise as before, bu,
was used to hearing about broken rocker
arms and crank-pins, slipped eccentrlcs
or valve stems and throttles that needed
packing, though | couldn't have told on'
from the other if | had seen them.
Well, hurry up, your supper is spoil
ing now, waiting and if we are going t.
mothers tonight, we must make haste
and hustled about, putting Eddie up il
his high chair, and pouring oat the tea
I'll risk the supper, said Joe, turning
round from the sink and holding out hi
arm that | might unbutton his wristban'
a thing he always forgot to do. W
can't 20 tonight, as | see, he went on i
his moderate way, holding up the othe
wrist,
That was the climax sat down in
chair and stared at him while he went o
wiping his hands and brushing his hail
and | never said word when he CAV
the towel toss on the nail, instead {
hanging it up properly by the loop.
Not 90 to mothers when had bee
waiting for tonight to install Eddie
his first knickerbockers and belted blous
and had gored my black alpaca drcs
trimming the remnants into ruffles to tri
the skirt, aud converted my plaid bonn,
string into stylish bow to wear with i
Joe drew up a chair to the table, butte
ed biscuit, stirred his tea, and proceed
!, ed to explain.
You sec Matte, ncnderson's wife
sick, and | promised would 60 up +
him tonight. We are rather short
spare engineers since Elliot got hurt, al
Marshall went Oh to the branch lie G
leave to stay down il any one would
up for him, so | said would 90, just +
Accommodations sake, and Joe passed |
cup to be rcplcnished.
That was a little too much to be Dor
patiently. If it had been an extra
IT, should have resigned myself to the inev
nd able, and wasted few regrets upon
But to think he could disappoint me
IL accommodate Jack Henderson, who Ii
off oftener than any other man on
line, and whose wife for every ailmC
real or iancied, must needs keep him
home to pet and codde her. And goi
up for Henderson involved leaving
II alone all night, and doubling the roa'
| settled back in my chair, disappoi
ed and provoked. Little Eddie began
DIlNlCNC thhi w hNiS NV kOibH w g
lg- mas, and Sc. up childish wall, whicl
the silepced with sharp stern words, caus
Joe to look up with astonishmenl.
| replied to his unspOken accusat
by saying the child was quite old enor
to learn he could not have everything
wanted. Joe did not answer, but iini
iE ed his supper in silence, pushed back
~ chair, and began to make ready for
trip.
ing / did not offer as usual, 10 help b
- but he did not appear to mind.
whistled softly to himself, while
changed the boots he had worn all
for an easier pair. hunted up coat fl
the depths Of the closet, found co
and handk kerchiei, and supplied his
"a, all pocket with matches enough to crea
En- resnectable copfapration.