South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1880-05-14
The Engineers Story.

10 INSTRUCTIONS l had received from the
officers OF the railroad company. hand.
ed the engineer OF Engine No. 50 q
letter from his chief, requesting that l
accompany him upon the engine, as a
better post for the observations along
the rails had been commanded TO
make. itff .frt -rr
After reading it, he touched his hat.
and respectfully babe me welcome, ar
ranging as comfortable q seat for me
as he could provide for the long ride
which lay before us. 7fes5
1t was novel experience for me, and
a highly exciting one, as we seemed 10
cleave the air, the train laundering q.
,, long behind US; and I could bu. look
admiringly ut the man who stood un-
fiinchingly at his post, and in whose
hands lay In reality all their lives.
lie was tall, handsome fellow,
whose keen gray eyes never stirred from
his post, either to right or left, but
whose CHEEKY laugh oftenArang out on
the clear morning air as we chattcd to-
gcthcr. ov sa
At noon VIC had become friends, at
which we stopped at small station,
, where there was delay of twenty min
utes, to take on coal or water. AS we
slowed up, 1 noticed standing on the
platform O young woman. holding a
neatly covered basket, and clingiug to
her skirts little child, some three
years Of age. ~ ~
'Papal Papa" the little one scream.
ed in delight; and glancing at my com.
panion's face needed not to question
| If he were the one thus calle-l.
Another moment, we had stopped,
and wife and child were pressed to his
breast. while a look of wonderful ten
derness ,crept into his eyes.
My wife AMI chilli, SIR he said. turn.
ing to me. Il have only one day q week
Off with them; but Mary always meets
me here with my dinner. and now and
then get an hour or two with her.
1t is "a hard life,' said. You must
miss them sorely.'
NO matter where | am. sir he re-
piled, they are with We. hear the
little ones voice above the loudest wind.
and see my Mary's smile in the dark
est night, although stand alone ON my
engine, with my life in my hand. It's
a hard life, maybe sir, but ought not
to complain. 1t gave me my happiness,
since " won me my wife,
When on our way again, ard I had
seen the tears fill the wife's bright blue
eyes as she fondiy kissed her husband
good bye, while | hal slipped into the
little ones chubby hand golden gift
from the strange gentleman riding with
papa, l asked my companion what Le
meant
i don't know a. you'd care to hear,
sir, and there's not many as l'i care to
teal. lou read 50 many book stories OF
the people who make up your world,
That you have not much time to look
down to mine. There are people who
think such as we have no time to love,
but you've seen Mary and my boy, aud
you'll tell me il l tire you?
Il was a careless fellow enough six
years ago, not neglecting my duty when
at my post, but fond OF good time with
my companions when Off duty, always
ready TO accept a friendly glass, and
sometimes with my heal not quite clear
when | mounted my engine, though the
air always set me right before we had
gone far on our way.
'One evening, at a dance, l met Mary
Morton. She was the prettiest girl in
the room, sir, and little BIT OF q CO.
quet in those days, though no more
than was natural, with all the young
fellows trying their best 10 turn her
head.
q was not long bohind the rest.
couldn't get her out Of my thoughts, tHt
it did not take me great while 10 find
out the truth OF the matter / had lost
my heart. The only question was,
would she turn me adrirt. or give the
hers for that che had stolen? Ii was
many a week before had got up cour-
age enough TO determine TO ask her to
be my wife. Every moment Off duty |
would spend with her. until grow 10
fancy she used to watch and wait for
my coming.
But was not without my jealous
how she spent the time, was so con.
stantly away from her?
AT last heard Of another dance. 10
be given on the night / would be off du.
ty. ! coull not SEQ Mary until then,
but felt sure she would know I would
como 20 her, and would go With no one
else.
But when the evening arrived, |
found when | called for her, that she
had already gone. Perhaps, sir, in
your rank Of life, you know, too, what
il is 10 be jealous, and how mauy a man
destroys his future happiness by IL
My first words TO Mary were those
OF reproacb, while her smile az my en-.
trance died away and her face grew
white.
Il did not know you wero coming,
John. How could 1?
You might have waited them ex.
claimed.
And staid at home, perhaps. 10 have
had you laugh at me, with the rest. -
Besides, am quite satisfied with my
escort, and believe I am the only person
10 be consulted in the matter
AS you will ! said, turning on my