Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-07-08
A ROMANCE IN REAL LIFE.
A Steamboat Engineer Inher-
its a Million and is to be
.... Married.

and two sons entered the Third Fenn.
sylvania Cavalry and served until the
father and one son we're killed and the
surviving son was sent home disabled
The father left an estate valued at that
time at alb ,ut 100000, and from the
time of his death until about q month
ago the estate has been in litigation
During this time the survivor, James
Shay by name, determining to fit him,
selfout for life, with commendable
perseverance has learned the trade OF
stone cutter, machinist, and engineer,
and during last winter worked at Dun
dee in this State as engineer in a mill.
Previous to his leaving his home at
Philadelphia, however, he placed the
securing of his portion of his fathers
estate, as his heir, in the hands of q
lodge of Knights Templar 70 which his
father belonged, with Charles r. Miner
of Philadelphia as special counsel.
While at work in the mill at Dundee
Mr. Shay became ambitious TO add the
experience of a steamboat engineer to
the record Of his life, and last winter
proceeded to Cleveland to secure an
engineers license. lie interviewed
Messrs. Saunders & Cook, steamboat
inspectors at this port, was examined
by them and was told that he had
proved himself worthy license as sec
ond engineer on high pressure engine
or first engineer on tug boat, and that
if he could secure such position they
would issue his license. The cost of a
license is five dollars, which Mr.. Shay
diu n$t. have, and he so informed the
inspectors promising to send the
amount within thirty days. The in>
spectors told him they would issue his
license and trust hun for its cost, and
he departed for To'edo and in less
than week had secured position on
the tug G.. r. Hand. The coveted
license was made out at this port and
sent to him.. ,-..... -
The tug Hand was engaged at Tole-
10 in towing scows, tenders 10 the
dredges, a work on the harbor improve
ments at that port, and Shay was in
good spirits, working, faithfully, his
license paid for, and for the time being,
as be says, had given mighty little
thought to what he might or might not
get from Philadelphia, - -.
During the forenoon of Tuesday,
June |, Mr.. Shay was at work in the
hold of the tug Hand tightening the
brasses on the connecting rod, when the
hatchway above was darkened, aud
looking up he saw a smiling counte.
nance peering down at him. "James,
| think you may stop work for while,
said the intruder, and the voice was
recognized as Charles Miner, his counN
sci.
Il got stuck on the CENTRE" SAID
Shay, when / saw Mr.. Miner, but told
him | would be OH deck Immediately il
he would get out of the way. Covered
with oil and smoke | climbed out, and,
just as was, not even giving time t.
wipe my hands. Mr.. Miner seized me
by both hands and told me that the
cause had been decided in my favor,
and that all l had to was to do.draw the
money. You should have seen those
overalls come off, and the way that
wrench and my old cap spun around
on deck was caution. / couldn't say
anything, so l seated myself on the
bulwarks and looked at Mr.. Miner"
The result was that Mr.. Shay went
to Philadelphia with Mr.. Miner, found
out that he was in reality millionaire,
property valued at over $l,000,000 be,
ing in the hands of the Kni ghts TEN,
plar, who managed his case, ready fol
such disposition as he should see fit to
order.
Returning, Mr.. Shay stopped at
Toledo day or two, and yesterday ar,
rived In this city. In the afternoon he
visited the office of Inspectors Cook &
Saunders, carrying under his arm his
license as engineer, handsomely mount
ed on blue satin background and sur,
rounded with massive rosewood and
gold frame.
Happily Mr.. Shay's good fortune
does not end here, as he expects to be
married on or about the 4th of July tc
young lady, the daughter of a farmer
who lives near Dundee, and who, wher
he went to Toledo to work last spring
secured employment at Toledo, and to.
gether they have been working ant