Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1880-06-18
THE ENGINEERS STORY.

the engineer of engine No. 80 letter
from his chief, requesting that 1 accom-
pany him upon the engine. as a better
post for the observations along the rails
which had been commanded to make
After reading it, he touched his hat,
and respectfully babe me welcome, ar
ranging as comfortable seat for me as
be could provide tor tho long ride which
lay before us.
It was novel experience for me, and
highly exciting one as we seemed to
cleave the air, the train laundering along
behind us; and l could but look admir-
ingly at the man who stood so unflinch-
ingly at his post, and in whose hand lay
in reality all our lives.
He was a tall, handsome fellow, whose
post, either to right or left, but whose
CHEEKY laugh often rang out on the clear
morning air IS we chatted together.
By noon we had become friends, at
which hour We stopped at small station,
where there was delay OF twenty minu-
ties, to take on coal and water. AS we
slowed up, noticed standing on the
platform young woman, holding a
neatly covered basket, and cling1ng to
her skirts little child, some three wears
Of age.
"Papa! papa" the little one screamed,
in delight; aud glancing at my compan-
IONS face, needed not to question if be
were the one thus called.
Another moment, we had stopped, and
wife and child we're pressed to his breast
while look of wonderful tenderness
crept into his eyes.
MY wife, and child, sir" he said turn
Ing to me. II have only one day a week
of with them; but Mary always meets
me here with my dinner, and now and
then get an hour or two with her,
ut is hard lifc," said. "You must
miss them sorcly."
mo matter where am, sir" he re-
piled, "they are with me- I 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. It gave me happiness, since
it won my wife,"
When we ere on our way again, and
I had seen the tears fill the wife's bright
blue eyes rs she fondly kissed her hus-
band good-by, while I had slipped into
the little ones chubby hand golden
gift from the strange gentleman riding
with papa, asked my companion what
he meant.
II don't know as you'd care to hear,
sir, and there's not many as I'd care to
tell. You read so many book stories of
the people who make up your worla,
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 have seen Mary and my boy, land
you II tell me if tire you2
II was careless fellow enough six
years ago, not neglecting my work when
at my post, but fond of u good time with
my companions when off duty, always
ready to accept friendly glass, and
sometimes with my head not quite steady
when I mounted my engine, though the
air always set me right before we had
gone far on our way.
Zone evening, at dance, met Mary
Morton. She was the plsttiest girl in the
room, sir, and little bit of "a coquette in
those days, though no more than was nat
ural, with all the young fellows trying
their best to turn her head.
II was not long behind the rest. I
couldn't get her out of my thoughts, but
it did not take me great while to find
out the truth of the matter. had lost
my heart. The only question was.
Would she turn me adrift, or give me
hers for that she had stoleng 1t was many
week before I got up my courage
enough to determine to ask her to be my
wife. Every moment off duty l would
spend with her, until I grew to fancy she
used to watch anu wait for my coming.
"But I was not without my jealous
hours. fer all that. How did know how
she spent the time, I was so constantly
away from hera
"At last heard Of another dance, to
be given on the night Iwould be off duty.
I could not see Mary until then, but I felt
aure she would know would come, fol
her and would 20 with no one else.
URut when the evening arrived, 70 und
when I called for her, that she had al.
ready gone. Perhaps, slr, IN your rank
of life, you know, too, what it IS to be
Jealous, and how many q man destroys
his future happiness by it.
any first words 20 Mary were those OF
reproach, while her smile at my entrance
died away, and her face grew white.
"tI did not know you were coming,
John, how could II -.
asYou might have waited, thenP ex-
l7 - ho,uof r,orhar1a IN have