The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-03-06
The Express Train.

Two or three of us had lounged out of
the club one night, into Santley's Office,
to find out the news coming in by cable,
which the sleeping town would not hear
until thepaper would be out tomorrow.
Santlev was editor of the Courier. he
was scribbling away at driving speed,
his ha2 on an unlighted cigar in his
mouth. ,,
YOU'RE at it late, Ben"
Accident on a western road. Sixty
lives lost" without looking up.
We seized the long white slips which
lay coiled over the table, and read the
dispatch.
Tut, tut p
ftInfamousp' -
"Nobody to blame, Of course"
81 tell you the officers Of road where
such, an accident is possible should be
tried for murder" cried Ferrers.
Santley showed his copy to the boy,
and lighted his cigar. 81 think you re
wrong, Ferrers. Instead of being
startled at such casualties, never travel
on railway that I am not amazed at
the security of them. just think of it.
Thousands of trains running yearly on
each, with but minute to spare be-
tween safety and destruc ion, the safety
of the trains depending on conductors,
telegraph clerks, brakesmen, men OF
every grade of intelligence, the brains
subject to every kind of mood, disease
and temper. The engineer takes a glass
OF liquor; the conductor sets his watch
llalf minute too fast; the hagman falls
asleep, and the train is dashed into ruin!
1t il not the accident that is to be Won
,|erel at, it is the escape that is miracu-
lous! !"
We had all dropped into seats by this
time. The night was young, and one
after another told some story of adven-
ture or danger. Presently Santley said,
"There was an incident which occurred
on the Erie road few years ago, which
made me feel as ! do in the matter-l
happened to be an eyewitness to the
whole affair"
"What was it, Ben ?"
"lt's rather long story
"No matter. GO on. You can't 60
home until your proof comes in any
how"
sNo. Well, to make you understand,
about five years ago had bad break
,lown-uight.w work, hack writing aud
,oor pay. You know how fast it all
wears out the machinery. The doctor
liked of diseases of the gray matter Of
he brain, etc., and prescribed, instead
medicine, absolute rest and change OF
scene. I would have swallowed all the
,,rstrums in drug shop rather than
1--we left the Office for week.
I'll take country board and send in
c ltoria;,' said I.
"sNo; you must drop Office and work
Utterly ont OF your life for month, at
least. Talk and think of planting pota-
,es, or embroidery-anything but news
papers and politics.
"Well, obeyed. I started on ped
cstri.n tour through Pennsylvania, stud
id oil stock in Allegheny county, and
ateA so,r-kraut in Berks. Finally I
brought up-footsore and bored beyond
learing-in Williamsport. While there
7 fell into the habit of lounging about
the railway station. studying the con-
truction of the engines. and making
friends with the men. The man with
whom I always fraterniza most readily is
ile skilled mechanic. He has degree
of common.sense store of certain facts
which your young doctor or politician is
a)t to lack. Besides he is absolutely
sllra of his social standing ground, and
las grave self-respect which teaches
lim to respect you. The professional
lad Just started on his career is uneasy,
rot sure of his position; he tries to
climb perpetually. tell you this to ex-
,,Iain my intimacy with many of the off
cials on the road. especially with an en-
;:ineer named Blakeley.
This man attracted me first by his
ability to give me the information I
wanted in a few direct sharp words.
Like most reticent men he knew the
weight anu value of words. I soon be-
;ame personally much interested in him.
He was about forty, his hair streaked
with gray, with grave worn face, which
limited at a youth Of hardship and much
huffering' However, Blakeley had found
us way to the uplands at last. Three
*cars before he had married bright,
cheerful woman. They had one child
~ boy, He had work and good wages,
AID was, found, high in the confidence
ri theFcompany. On one occasion, hav-
riga Sunday of, he took me up to Jersey
Shore, where his wife and child lived.
He was an exceptionally silent man, but
" hen with them was garrulous and light
learted as hoy. In his eyes Jane
as the wisest and fairest of women,
:,adthe boy wonder of intellect. One
.: reat source of trouble to him was, as
ronnd, that he was able to see them but
once in three weeks. It was necessary
.;rr the childs health to keep them in
,he country air. and, indeed, he could
not afford to have them elsewhere; but
,,,is separated him from them almost
totally. Jane was in the habit of com.
ing with Charley down to certain
point of the road every day, that Blakeley
might SEE them as he dashed by.
land when I found out this habit, ii
occurred to me thatI could give Blakeley
n great pleasure. How often have
,ursed my meddling kindness since.
January 25th was the child's birthday.
proposed to Mrs. Blakeey that she anG
marley should board the train which