Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1873-07-16
What an Engineer Told.

l Iara an engineer. Ever since the
G.. road was laid, Eve travelled over
itevcry day, or nearly every day OF
my life.
For a good while I've had the same
engine in charge--the San Francisco
the prcttiest engine on the road, aud
as well managed, if I,say it, as the
best.
1t was southwestern road, run
ming we will say from a. to Il. AT
A. my good old mother lived; at Il.
| had the sweetest little wife under
the sun, and baby; and | always
had a dollar or two put by for a rainy
day. was an odd kind of: man.
Being shut up with the engine,
Watching with all your eyes and
heart and soul, inside and out, don't
make man talkativc.
My wife's name was Josephine, and
called her ice. Some people called me
unsociable, and couldn't understand
how man could iccl friendly with
out saving ten words an hour. So,
though had a few old friends-dcar
ones, tool did not have SO many ac-
quaintances as most people, aud did
not care to have. The house which
held my wife and baby was the dear
est place on earth to me, except the
old house which held my mother, up
i'll "A.
| never belonged to a club, or
mixed myself up with strangers in
any such way, and never should if it
had not been for Cranky. You see,
Cranky was one of the shareholders,
a handsome, snowy fellow. I liked
fo tnl n In m
friends. ne often rode from u to A.,
and back again, and once he said:
"You ought to belong to the Sci
cntitic Club, Gueldcn."
"Ncver heard of it," said I.
81 am member" said he. "We
meet once fortnight, and have ajolly
good time. We want thinking men
like you. We have some among us
now. I'll propose you, if you like"
|. was fond of such things, and had
ideas that l famcied might be worth
something. But then an engineer
don't have nights and days to him.
self, and tile club would have one
evening in fortnight from Joe. l
said:
"I'll ask her. If she likes it, yes"
"Ask whom 7" said he.
"Joe," saidT.
"Jf 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: "Then il
Cranky belongs TO 1t they must be
superior men,"
mo doubt" said I.
"lt isn't every body who could be
made II meinbcr," said Joe. "Why,
of course you must say yes"
So l said yes, and Gramby proposed
me. Thursday fortnight, went
with him to the rooms. There We're
some men there with brains, and
somc without. The real business of
tho evening was the supper, and SO il
was every evening.
I'd always been temperate man.
| actually did not know what effect
wine would have upon me; but
coming to drink more of it than |
ever did, ut the club-table, [ found
| il put the steam OH. After SO many
glasses l wanted to talk after so
many more did.
I seemed like somebody else, the
words were so ready. My little ideas
came out and were listened to;
made sharp hits; l,indulged in re.
partee; L told stories; even came
to puns. heard one say to CRANKY /:
"Dy George, that's u man worth
knowing. thought him dull al
first"
| Yet knew it was better to be quiet
Ned Guelden, with his ten words an
hour, than the wine-made wit | was,
was sure of it, when three hours
after, stumbled up stairs to find JOE,
waiting Tor me, with her babe Oh her
breast.
"You've been deceiving me-" said
Joe. 81 suspected it, but WASN'T
sure. A. scientific club couldn't
smell like q bar-room."
(which means l do" said 7. wav.
ing In the middle of the room like q
signal flag at u station, and scein.
two Joes.
"And look like onc." said Joe and
she went aud locked herself and the
baby up In the spare bedroom to.
gether.
"Ned," said she, edo you think a
thing so much like a bottis6-ap and
strapped-down demon as steam Ia. is
tit to be put into the hands Of n
drunken.man And some day, mark
my words, the time will come when
not only Thursday night, but ali the
days Of the week will be the same.
Pvc heard you wonder what the feel.
ings OF an engineer who has abou,
the Same as murdered q train fun oi
teople, must beS and you will know
If you don't stop where you are. A
steady hand and q clear head have
been your blessing all these years,
/ Don't throw them away, Ned. II
you don't care for mylove, don't ruiu
yourself"
| My littlesJoe! She spoke from her
heart, aud ! bent over and kissed her.