Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1882-05-31
Only a brakeman.

on the B. & e. r. r. was wrecked last
niglt by broken bridge just beyond
Carlyle. A son of the Hon. Carlton
Ballvn was on the train, but fortunate
ly escaped injury. A brakeman by the
name of Marshall was the only person
killed.
1t was only short dispatch, cast in'
to one cornor of the morning paper,
amid score or two others, but it inter-
ested me; for 1 knew the whole brave
story so well, and 1 felt in my heart
almost hatred for the writer who had
done such injustice to noble life and
overlooked so grand deed.
[ was only the night telegraph opera
tor at Carlyle-not very exalted posi-
ton, perhaps, but yet one OF considera-
bic responsibility and trust. From
seven in the evening until the some
hour IN the morning 1 held in the
hollow of my hand the life OF almost
every man passing over our division oI
the road.
remember one night, when l was
sitting alone in my little, cramped ur
office, and listening, from mere force oi
habit, 10 the varied message as they
went clicking by to the other stations
on the road. The last train for several
hours the freight accommodation
from Brighton-bad been 10 for some
time, and 1 had nothing TO disturb me
but my thoughts.
Well, Billy, bows No. p q voice
suddenly asked, as the outside dool
was pushed ajar.
One hour late,' l replied, hastily
and then, looking up, l saw Tom Mar
shall. brakeman on the last irelSht
filing up the doorway. Come INSIDE
and have chair, Tom,' 1 added, as
recognized the face of nay questoner.
'Only for moment tonight, y he an
swered me, as he sat down at my lnvl
ta,ion, his lantern resting between hl'
feet on the floor. Il have call t.
make this evening, and must wash up 6
little first
Where away tonight, Tom? No
| UP on the hill again, surely?
He shook bis head IN the affirmative
bis eyes fixed upon my table, where
The instrument was ticking away.
OF course it's none OF my business
my boy but 1t seems to me you go t
the great white house too often OF late
Ballou might object, and tits said the
are engaged you know And l LOOK
| ed up at his strong Saxon face iron
where l lay stretched on bench b.
the wall.
Il thiak they are mistaken about tina
billy; but Ballou has more oppor'un
ties than can enjoy he replied, yer
slowly. Il only get in here two night
week, you know; but do the best
lcan.'
Then it is serious, TomF l asked
| for A liked this broad shouldered, la
haired fellow, brakeman though b
was.
| T,m afraid it is with me, Billy, h
replied, his eyes gazing sleadtaslly a
the latern between his feet. Blu
good night; must go; Will see 20
Iagain as | come in.' And the heav
| door closed beeind him.
| AsIsat there alone in the offic
| after he had gone, l thought OF all thes
| ltbings-thought them over again an
,o.iu. | had known Tom tor two year.
and liked the boy. l knew, or though
| l knew, Kate Carr, up in the big whit
house on the hill. A proud girl enoux
in her wsy-proud Of her father
| riches, her own beauty, and the doze
su,ors who hod knelt at her feet
Ever since Tom frat sought her SC
clety l wondered at his welcome
seemed so strange thing 10 me The
one so proud oil her position, q
thoroughly a slave Of society as ha'
Carr appeared to be, should so open
encourage the attentions OF a me-
freight brakenan--a man oil whs'
family connections we knew nolhin
. and whose only wealth was bis mont
ly pay Still Tom was a young ar
, sood.looking fellow enough, and pc
. haps, after all, she was little vain
i having so handsome a suilor' eve
ltbongh so poor, to add TO her Length
: string of victims. / meyer could D
! lheye that she had the heart TO reiu
his great, honest love aud be wiliin
Il II IN exchange to sacrifice all her hop
r and pride for hls sake; and then' o