Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-10-16
The Engineers Story.

structions I had received from the officers of
the railroad company, handed the engineer
of Engine No 80 letter from his chief re-
guessing that accompany him upon the
engine, as a better post for the observations
along the rails I had been commanded to
make.
After reading it, he touched his hat, and
respectfully babe me welcome, arranging as
comfortable q seat for me as he could pro-
vide for the long ride which lay before US.
1t was novel experience for me, and a
highly exciting one, as We seemed to cleave
the air, the train laundering along behind
US; and I could but look admiringly at the
man who stood so unfinchingly at his post,
and in whose hand lay in reality all our
lives.
He vas a tall, handsome fellow, whose
keen gray eyes never stirred from his post,
either to right or left, but whose CHEEKY
laugh often rang out on the clear morning
air as we chatted together
BY noon we had become friends. al which
hour we stopped at a small station, where
there was delay Of twenty minutes, to take
on coal or water. AS we slowed up, [ no.
ticed standing on the platform a young wo-
man, holding neatly covered basket, and
clinging to her skirts little child, some
three years of age.
''Papa papa! the little one screamed,
in delight; and, glancing at my compan-
IONS face, 1 needed net to question if he
were the one thus called.
Another moment, we had stopped, and
wife and child were pressed to his breast,
while a look of wonderful tenderness crept
into his eyes.
''My wife and child, sir" he said, turn
ing to me. 81 have only one day week
off with them; but Mary always meets me
here with my dinner, and now and then I
get an hour or two with her"
''It is hard lfe," I said "You must
miss them sorely."
T'No matter where I am sir" he replied,
they are with me. hear the little ones
voice above the loudest wind, and 1 see my
Mary's smile in the darkest night, although
stand alone on my engine, with my life in
my hand. It's hard life, maybe, sir, but
ought not to complain. 1t gave me my
happiness, since it won me my wife"
When we were on our way again, and I
had seen the tears I'LL the wife's bright blue
eyes as she fondly kissed her husband good
by, while I had slipped into the little ones
chubby hand golden gift from the strange
gentleman riding with papa I asked my
companion what he meant.
al 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 Ct the peo-
pie who make up y0an world, that you have
not much time to look dorm to mine.
There are people who think such as we
have no time to love, but you have seen
Mary aud my boy, and-youl tell Inc if
tire you?
u was a careless fellow enough six years
age, not neglecting my work when at my
post, but fond of a good time with my COM
panions when of duty, always ready to ac-
cept friendly glass, and sometimes with
my head not quite steady when / mounted
my engine, though the air always set mo
right before we had gone far on cur way.
lone evening, a. dance, | met Mary
Morton She was the prettes. girl in the
room, siy, AID u little bit Of a coquet in those
days, though no more than was natural,
with all the young fellows trying their best
to turn her head.
al was no: long behind the rest.
couldn't get her ont Of my thoughts, but it
did not take me great while 10 find out the
truth of the matter. ! lad lost my heart.
The only question was, Would she turn me
adrift, or give me hers for that she had
stolen? 1t was many week before I got
up my courage enough to determine to ask
her to be my wife. Every moment off duty
would spend with her, until I grew to
fancy she used to watch and wait for my
coming.
"But / was not without my Jealous
hours, for all that How did I know how
she spent the time, was SO constantly away
from her?
At last heard Of another dance to be
given on the night 1 would be off duty. I
could not see Mary until then, but Ifelt sure
she would know would come for 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 it is to be jealous, and
how many a man destroys his future happi-
ness by it.
My first words to Mary were those of
reproach, while her smile at my entrance
died away and her face grew white.
al did not know you were coming,
John. How could II
"'You might have waited, then!' I ex-
claimed.
"'And stayed at home, perhaps, to have
had you laugh at me, with the rest. Be-
sides, am quite satisfied with my escort,
and believe am the only person to be con-