The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-11-06
Gueldeas's Last Drink.


life. ever since was laid in charge of the San
Francisco, the prsttiest and best engine on the
line. It was q south western road, running, as
we win say, from A to T. At A my mother
lived; at q had the sweetest little wife in the
world, and baby the very image of its pa.
had always q dollar or two put by for rainy
day, and the boys spoke of me as an old kind
Of q man. To be shut up with an engine,
watching with all your eyes, and heart, and
soul, don't make conscientious man talkative,
and never squandered my leisure spinning
yarns and listening to railroad jokes in the
round-house. Ny wife's name was Josephine,
and called her "Joe."
never belonged to any of the railway clubs
or other organizations, and never should, if it
hadn't been for CRANKY. CRANKY was nephew
Of our division superintendent, and it's failure
with. we men Of the road that we like to be
permitted to touch the hem of their garments.
CRANKY was snowy fellow, and often rode
with me from to q. He had a good opinion
Of me, and, as far as ] know, We were good
friends. Once he said TO me:
s'You ought TO belong to the Railway Scien-
tiic Club, ,Guelden."
Never heard Of it." says I.
eve meet once a fortnight" be replied, esand
havea jolly good time. We want practical,
thanking men Of your sort, and ri propose
you: if you like" 5.s@
l was fond of such things, and had ideas that I
fancied might be worth something But the
engineer don't have any nights OF days to him
self, and the club would take one evening a
fortnight from Joe. II said s ST. ~
y"T viii ash her. If she likes it, yes.pn
s"Ask whom z, he said. L. -
"Joe," said I.
.,sIf every man had asked his wife, every
mans wife would have said, Can't spare you,
my DEAR and We should have no club at all, y
said CRANKY. 81
But made no answer. At home, I told Joe.
She said: rty s.4x.
II shall miss you, Ned ;ibut you do love such
things, and if Granny belongs to it, they must
$50 fsaid yes and SGranby proposed me.
Thursday fortnight went with him to the
rooms. The real business of the evening was
the SUPPER = 80 ~
Ihad always been temperate man. did
not know what effect wine would have on me,
but coming ao drink more of it than / had ever
before at the club table, l found it put steam
on. After so many glasses wanted to talk,
and after so many lmoreI did. Ff,fs
Iseemed like somebody else, the words were
10 ready. My ideas came out and were listened
toll made sharp hits and INDUCED in repartee,
told stories and even came 20 puns. heard
somebody ssy, "Granby, by George, that's a
a man worth having. thought him dull at
first" Yet T. knew it was better to be quiet
Ned Guelden, with his ten words an hour, shan
the ,wine.malde wit was. ,J't.s %
was sure Of it when, three months after,
stumbled up stairs 10 find Joe waiting for me
with her baby on her breast.
you've been decsiving," said Joe; II sus-
pected it, but wasn't sure. A scientific club
couldn't smell like bar-room."
r'sWhich means that do" said I.
"And look like one" said Joe, as she locked
herself and baby in the spare bedroom.
One night ! was dressed in my Sunday suit
to 60 to the club when Joe stood before me.
"Ned," said she, "I never had fault to find
with you before. You've been kind and loving
always, but shall be sorry we ever met if you
60 on this way. Don't ask what I mean you
know" = ~
"Et's only club night" said I. ,4~
"It will grow, said she. 4
Then she put her arms around my neck.
HNed," said she, "do you think locomotive,
moved by that thing you call steam, 10 safe 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.
have often heard you wonder what the feelings
of an engineer, who has about the same as
you will know if you don't stop where you are
A steady hand and clear head have been your
blessing all these years. Don't throw them
aYay 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" = "a.
: And / meant it; but at twelve O'Clock thai
night felt that had forgotten my promise
aud my resolution.
couldn't 60 home to Joe. made up my
aaind to sleep on the club sofa and to leave the
place for good the next day. Already fel
my brain reel as it had never done before. Ir
an hour was in a kind Of stupor 1t wa!
morning A waiter stood ready to brush my
coat. I sew grin on his face. My hear
seemed ready to burst; my hand trembled;
had only just five minutes to reach the depot
Joe's words came to my mind. Was fit Il
take charge Of an engine? I was not fit t.
answer. ought to have asked some sober man
As it was, only caught my hat and rushee
away. was Just in time.
The San Francisco glistened in the sun. Th
cars were filling rapidly. From my post
could hear the people talking-bidding eacl
other goodbye and promising to write AM
come again. Among them was an old gentle
man knew by sight-one of the shareholders
he was bidding two tirnid girls adieu.
"Good- bye, Kitty good-bye, Lon," hear
him say s"dcn't be nervous The San Fran
cisco is the best engine-on the line, and Guel
den the most careful engineer. would not b
afraid to trust every mortal to their keeping
Nothing could happen wrong with she tw