The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-10-13
ENGINE NO. 1.

A reporter you know, never allows a
chance to slip wherein information is to be
fairly gained.
When burly-framed and large hearted
Buck Smith, engineer OF No. 1, offered me
ride in his ''cab,'' you may depend-to use
the slang phrase-'1 was there
Smith was popular fellow. But his ex-
treme quietness of disposition was remarked
by every one, and there was an ever present
unmistakable expression of sadness in his
handsome eyes, withal his glance was as
keen as an eagle's when on the run and
Cooking ont ahead.'' He was running the
St Louis night express that backs into Wash
ington before heading westward. 1 was
| going as far as the capital.
! I clambered. slyly and unseen into the
"cab," and was instantly alert for every
/ thing though careful to keep myself out of
J the way.
! Promptly at 2. 80 the gong sounded. There
was a kissing of steam, a continuous, dole
| full changing Of the bell. puff puff ! and out
! of the glare of G. station we plided
| into daTkDess-darkness pitchy, and wet
| with falling snow.
Grim, stern. rigid as a statue stood Buck
| I fell to wondering whether an engineers
| arm never grew tired when knew that his
! trusty hand did not dare once to be removed
| from that small lever on a route of hundreds
! of miles, while scores Of human beings slept
| TRANQUILITY in the cars behind him-slept, and
! few, indeed, had thought to offer prayer
| for the brave, resolute man on whose nerve
| their very lives depended.
! To my surprise, with the increase Of speed
/ there seemed to be less noise in the 6cab -
| And it was just as [ began to realize this
/ that the accident occ urred which now re-
| late 60 you.
| We had passed Winans. I knew there
| was no road to signal for; but Buck sudden
/ ly exclaimed:
| "Blow Harryr'
The fireman pulled the cord, and out in
the night shrieked peculiar whistle, unlike
any had ever heard.
At the same tirle Harry, the Young fire.
man, glanced at me strangely and shook his
head. I looked instinctively toward Buck
Smith. and what saw made my reporters
| heart jump. There was a mystery enactfne
in the cab of engine No. l.
The firm hand was still tight on the lever.
the stern, sad eyes still fixed unswervingIy
ahead but I saw on one cheek single
/ shining, rolling tear.
He was bending forward slightly. His
rough shirt was open at the front, where.
suspended by a leather string. were two
rings-one of plain gold band, the other set
with beautiful, cleaning diamonds These
rings were pressed to his lips.
Bucks praying" said the fireman,
close to my ear
Then Buck. as he carefully hid away the
rings
Clear that toot, Nat ?''
yes"
"Guess what it's for"
"How should I ?"
''FOr my little girl''
''Why, 1 didn't know you had a child,
| Buck"
"Well, the whole world doesn't know it
that's fact. Coal up, Harry here's
grade"
The iron door was wrenched open, like
the fiery, seething mouth Of a monster dra-
gon, while the fireman piled his shovel.
All had transpired in less than ten seconds.
As the glare lighted broadly on the dark
night l saw on the bank of the trackside-
saw as we sped like the wind-a female fip-
ure, who waved lantern briskly to and fro.
God bless her, Nat-that's nv Dolly P'
Then presently Il don't know but I NAV
as we'll tell you about it-thouph I don't tell
everybody, mind you. I've only had nv
nome here few yeaTs-used to live near
Point o Rocks. As pretty a cottage it was.
Tor pretty wife, as any man need wish for
Hou haven't known me long, or you'd have
heard that married girl who expected TO
inherit handsomely. But like you. Nat
No matter how the match came about. She
was very delicate and very beautiful prize
Tor rough man like am won her away
from chap who was better off, better Look
ing than I. His name was Carol Conrad
was never Jealous man; 1 did not even
request my wife to give up his acouaintanca
So thought nothing of it when. sometimes
when L returned from trip, she would saw.
Buck, dear, Carroll has been here to see
| me-
"But one night, Nat, there came a blow To
me that weE nigh drove me mad. Wait a
minute. Blow for the Relay, Harry"
Thrice, four times, shrieked the PROMPT
whistle, and presently the train came to a
halt. Not for long. There was bang on
| the little gong over my head that startled
me.
Again we steamed onward No more
stops until we reached Washington no
more Interruptions except that the signal
| would blow for curves and roads 1 was al
most breathlesslY still, watching Buck, who
it seemed to me, had not moved a muscle or
turned an eye from his '1ookout'' since he
kissed the talismanic rings.
'1 found the cottage darkened " he re-
sumed, abruptly. after we had rumbled
! across the viaduct. "There was no light to
/ welcome me, like there had always been.
and-and Nat, my wife was gone. I found
/ on the parlor table a note that first set nv
/ blood on fire. and then turned my heart to
! stone. AS near as 1 can remember. If was
! something like this
Buck. dear, forgive me. NV life has
been so lonesome since marrying vou. and
the temptation so great that have consent
1 ed to 90 with Carroll. I am not all wicked
! l couidn't helD it forgive me-
81 thought II all over as a dream. Nat
\ Poor little thing she didn't see much of me
/ for love making, that's a fact. Then some
/ sort of demon caused me to write on the
! back of the note horrible curse on the pair.
and pinned it to the tabletop with my pen
/ knife
Turning round. l found little Dolly
standing IN the doorway, crying She had
/ been looking everywhere in vain for man,
ma. At least this treasure was left to me.
] Not