Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1873-09-05

II have Travelled this road every day Of my
life ever since it was laid. in charge Of the
San Francisco. the prettfest and best engine
on the line. It was Southwestern road,
running g we will say, from A. to q. AZ a.
my mother lived, and at q. / had the sweetest
little wife In the world, and baby, the very
image of It's pa. I had always had dollar
or two put By FOR rainy day. and the boys
spoke OF me as al odd kind f man. To be
shut up With n engine, watching with all
yonr eyes, and heart and soul, ont make i
conscientious mar laxative. aid never
squandered my leisure spinning yarns and
listening to railway jokes in the Round-house.
My wife's name was Josephine, and called
her Joe
II never belonged to any OF the railway
clubs Or other organizations. and never
should. il Il hadn't been for CRANKY. CRANKY
was nephew Of our division superintendent,
and it. failing with we mcf of the Road
that we like to be noticed by the fellows at
headquarters, il only permitted to touch the
hem Of their garments. CRANKY was snowy
fellow. and often rode with me- from A. to z.
He had good opinioa Of me, and Is far rs |
know, we were good friends. Once he said
TO me:
You ought to belong to the Rail way Sci
entihc Club. Guelden.''
Never heard OF it, said I.
I'VE meet once fortnight" he replied,
"&nd have jolly good time. We want prac-
tical, thinking men Of your sort, and I'll
proDost YOu il Won Ike.
WA fond OF such things, and had ideas
that fanciel might be wsrth something.
"But the engineer don't have many nights or
days to himself, and the club would have one
evening fortnight from joe" said.
Il will ask her. Ii she likes it, yes"
'sAsk vhom?" he said,
"Joe," said |.
III every man had asked his wife, every
mans wife would have said, Cant spare
you. my DEAR" and we should have had no
club ut all, said Cranky.
"But made no answer. At home told
Joe. She said:
81 shall miss you Ned; but you do love
such things, and il CRANKY belongs to it they
must be superior men,
'.Se said yes. and CRANKY proposed me-
Thursday fortnight went with him to tue
rooms. The real business OF the evening was
the supper.
Il had always been temperate man. |
did not know what effect wine woald have on
me. but coming to drink more of it than I
had ever before at the club table. found it
put steam ons After so many glasses
wanted to talk, and after so many more did.
Il seemed Hks somebody lse. the words
We're so ready. My ideas came out and were
listened to. | made sharp hits ard indulg, d
in iepartee. told stories, and even came TO
pnns. | heard somebody say, CRANKY by
George, that's man worth having. thought
him dull st fret Yet knew it was better
to Be quiet, Ned GueIden, with his ten words
an hour, that the wine-made wit was.
II was sure OF it when three months after
: stumbled up sal TO find Joe waiting tor
Lac with her baby ON her breast.
".You'ye been deceiying me-" said Joe !;
Il suspec ed Il, bur wasn't sure. A scientific
Club couldn't sMell like bar-room.'
t..W hich means that do aaid l.
iuckeu nerseu ana DaDy IN the spare bed
rooE. A
Zone night was dressed in my Sunday
suit, ready 70 20 TO the Club. when Joe stood
before me.
MED, said she, i never had fault to find
with you before. You been kind and good
and loving always; bns / should be sorry We
ever net if you 60 on in this way. Don't
ask me what mean-you know
tits only Club night, said.
1T will grow said size.
Then she put her arms around my neck.
Ned said she, do you think a thing SO
much like bolted and strapped down dem on
~ steam 10, is tit to put into the hands OF
irnnkea man! And some day, mark nv
words. not only Thursday night, but all the
days OF the week will be the same. i have
aften heard you vond-- what the feelings Of
"a engineer, who has about the same as MUIR
tered train full OF people, must be, and
you'll know If you don't stop where you are.
steady hand and a clear head have been
your blessing all these years Don't throw
hem away. Ned. If you don't care for my
owe, don't ruin yourself
10y iissAS SoS. cuC kpOke IRON Ecr Hc2rC, |
md bent over and kissed her
Don't be afraid, child, I'li never pain you
lgain. ss
And ! meant It; but 1t twelve O'Clock
hat night | felt tt at had forgotten n y
promise and my resolution.
4 couldnt get home to Joe. / made up
ny mind to sleep on the Club sofa and leave
ne place for good the next day. Already T
cit my brain reel as it ha d never done before.
4 an hour was in a kind Of stnpor. 1t was
morning. A waiter stood ready to brush NV
oat. saw u grin on his lace. My heart
eemed ready to burst; my hand trembled: +
ooked at my watch; had only Just Eve
minutes to reach the depot
'.Joe's words came to my mind. Waa ri
take charge OF an engine? / was nor fit to
nswer. ought to have asked some sober
Ian. As il was, only caught my hat and
ushed away. was just in time. aas9I
1.-The San Francisco elissened in the sun.
ne cars wsre filling rapidly. From my post
could hear he people talking bidding each
Their good-by, and promising to write and
ONE again. Among them WAS an old gem
emsn knew by Sight-one OF the stock
oiders and be was bidding two tinid girls
dieu.
]" 'Goed-by, Kitty; good-by, Loa,' heard ,
' ! q say; don't DO nervous. The San Fran
SEQ is the safest engine on the line. and /,