The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-05-19
PUT YOURSELF IN HER PLACE.

marked as by some gigantic CLOCK that
told the lsggsrd minutes by screaming
whistle and changing bell. The 4:3O ac-
comodstion had gone east, the western
express, due there at 4:45, had thunder
ed through the village, gone on over the
great viaduct, and disappeared round the
vast curve beyond.
So one counted the hours by the trains,
Lydia by name, girl of the best New
England type, quiet, and yet with an
immense capacity for doing and
daring, should love and the occasion de-
msnd. The local freight would come
next, and then-then she would see him
again. She laid aside her work, put
some split zephyr vanity upon her head,
and went out toward the railroad. AS
she approached the station she saw her
brother, the station. master, opening the
little freight house on the farther side
OF the track. By this she knew that
the local freight would stop this time.
Her heart beat the faster and she
quickened her step. On reaching the
passenger station where the village
street crossed the railway, she looked up
and down the line, and then crossed
over and turned to the left and walked
beside the track toward the freight
house.
To understand all that took place on
this occasion, and to fully appreciate her
consummsts skill in controlling the events
so quickly to crowd upon her, we must
study the construction of the road at this
point. The main line for more than
mile to the right, or toward the east, was
perfectly str sight and comparatively
level. 10 the left, or the west, it CT ossed
deep valley by q lofty stone viaduct.
and beyond the valley it curved toward
the north aud and mounted the bill by
long grade. Just east of the passenger
station branch road entered the main
line. and there was q short siding
ending in small freight house, and di.
rectly opposite was another siding with
d freig ht shed and coal yard. At this
point there was also another cross over
switch.
Lydia walked on past the freigh,
house, and, crossing the side track, found
a large fat rock beside the way, and
there, under the shade of an ancient
apple tree, she sat down to wait till her
lover came.
He comes, she heard the three long
whistles sounding far down the line, ana
q bright blush mounted to her face.
The train would stop. That WAS the
signal tor the station master. Her
brother came out of the freight house,
spoke pleasantly to her, and then walked
on toward tie switch at the head OF the
siding.
Suddenly the mainline track before
her began to sing in sharp metallic muir
murs. The train had entered that sec
ton of the road, and he was near. Then
there came the sound of escaping steam.
The engine was slowing down, and the
steam no longer employed was bursting
with loud roar from the safety.valve
Ne it impatient of delay.
With jar that shook the ground the
immense freight engine rolled past her,
and the 81 gineer, leaning out OF his
window, NODDED to her as he slid past.
Then the cars in long procession came
into sight and moved past with slowly
decreasing speed. Four brakemen, busy
At the brakes, went past; still he came
not at last the rear car appeared, and
a Young man swung himself down from
| the iron ladder on the car and spIang to
the ground At her feet.
A sooty man, cad in blue canvass.
now black with smoke and dust. Only
a brakeman 1No, trlae better-the
conductor of freight train. A year
age be had been glad to lake the place
OF brakeman, and already he had been
promoted. Love did it. He had met
and loved Lydia in the days of his fool
ish idleness, and she had insisted that he
do some manly work, or she could not
yes. she could and did love him, but he
must show himself worthy OF her love.
Already he had advanced, and she was
we'll pleased with his progress, and they
had become engaged.
1t becomes us not to linger while they
talk quietly together beside the track.
The train moved slower and slower, TILL
it finally stopped with the last car just De-
yond the switch. The iron horse was
moved on, the station master signsled
with his arms IN curious fashion, and
each of the four brakemen repeated the
motion in turn. White puffs OF steam
rose high in the air from the fartber
end of the train. A curious rafting
sound spread through the train
and the last car backed down
turned aside and entered the
siding. The station. master left the
switch snd came hastily toward the
lovers.
"Good day, Alfred. Light freight TO-
dsy. ONLY one car by the way, the
brake chain is broken, and you had better
drop the car al the repair shops. rhe
freight, can be thrown out without leav'
ing the car"
So saying the ststion-msster went Oh
into the freight house. followed by the
rafting and rumbling cars. Ihey
gradually lost their speed and tnen came .
to stop with she end OF the tram 1851
in the dark cavern of the freight house
There was shout from the bui ding
AID then one OF the brskemen began tt
move his arms rs a signal to go on
Aps,n the white puts OF steam shot up
in the distance, and With a jar anc
ouiyer the train started again.
Car after car rolled past them. There
were hurried Whispers, warm hsna
shake and perhaps kiss, and then thu
, man swung forward, grssped the LADDER
! on the last car, climbed quickly to the
: top and sat down. she STOOD Sazlnt
after him as he was drawn away IRON
her and smiled farewell to him VILE me-
Here, Lydia, you mast help me-" -, !,
- TWAS her brother who stood oesio
, I her with bunch Of keys in his nsnd.
The passenger train follows TINS q
; once and then turned again TO gaz'
sf,er her lover, seated on the las