Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1882-07-14
Only a Brakeman.

"AccIDENT.-An extra freight train or
the B. & G. r. r. was wrecked last night
by a broken bridge just beyond Carlyle. A
sen of the Hon. Carlton Ballou was on the
train, but fortunately escaped injury. =
A brakeman by the name of Marshall was
the only person killed."
1t was only short dispatch, cast int
one corner of the, Iaorning paper. amid
score or two of others. but it interested me;
for l knew the whole brave story so we'll,
and felt in my heart almosE a hatred for
the writer who had done. such injustice to
anoble life and overlooked SO grand a
deed. i.e,45
l was only the night telegraph operator
at arlyle-not a very exalted position,
perhaps, but yet one of considerable re-
1ponsibilty and trust. From seven in the
evening until the same hour in the morn
liig held in the hollow of my hand the life
of almost every man passing over our d.
vision of the road.
l remember one night when was sit
ling alone in my little cramped-up office.
and listening, from mere force of habit. to
| the varied messages as they went clicking
! by to the other stations on the road. The
last train for several hours-the freight &C.
commodation from Brighton-had been in
for some time, and had nothing to dis
turb me but my thoughts
well, Billy, how's No. ~" a voice
| suddenly asked, as the outside door was
pushed ajar.
lone hour late" replied hastily and
then looking up, I saw Tom Marshall. a
brakeman on the last freight, filling up the
doorway. Come inside and have chair
Tom,' added, as | recognized the face of
my questioner.
"Only for moment Tonight" he an
swered me, as he sat down at my invita-
ion. his lantern resting between his feet
n the floor. II have call to make
his evening and must wash up a little
first"
''Where away tonight, Tom? Not up on
the hill again, surely 7"
He nodded his head in the affirmative, his
CyCo aACu opou NY U0DlC, w uCI6 Gu6 III.
run ept was ticking away.
"Of course IT'S none Of my:business. my
boy; but it seems to me you go to the great
white house too often of late. Ballou might
object, and It's said they are engaged, you
know" And 1 looked up at his strong
Saxon face from where lay stretched on
bench by the wall.
81 think they are mistaken about that.
Billy; but Ballou has more opportunities
than I can enjoy,'' be replied very slowly
II only get in here two nights week, you
know; but do the best can.'
"Then is it serious, Tom?'' asked; for
l liked this broad-shouldered, fair-haired
fellow, brakeman though he was.
"I'm afraid 1t is with me, Billy" he re-
piled, his eyes gazing steadfastly at the
lantern between his feet. "But, good.
night, must go will see you again as l
come in.'' And the heavy deer closed be-
hind him.
AS sat there alone In the office after he
had gone, thought of all these things
thought them over again aud again. had
known Tom for two years, and liked the
boy. knew, or thought knew, Kate
Carr, up in the big white house on the
hill. A proud girl enough In her way
proud Of her fathers riches her own beau
ty, and the dozen suitors who had knelt
at her feet. Ever since Tom first sought
her society wondered at his welcome. It
seemed SO strange thing to me that one 80
proud of her position, so thoroughly slave
of society as Kate Carr appeared to be.
should SO openly encourage the attentions
of mere freight brakeman-a man of
whose family connections we knew moth
ing, and whose only wealth was his mon tn
y pay. Still Tom was young and good.
looking fellow enough, and, perhaps, after
all. she was little vain at having so hand.
some sutton, even though so poor, to add
to her string of victims. never could be-
lieve that she had the heart to return his
great, honest love, and be willing, in OK
change, to sacrifice all hel hopes and pride
for his sake; and then, besides. rumor had
it that George Ballou, the son of rich
banker of neighboring town, had already
gained her promise, and from many little
things which had fallen under my notice,
began to believe that rumor for once was
right. And Tom loved her. and thought
1t over all night, when was not busy. and
wondered in my own heart how it could
end.
Tom never came back to the depot that
night, though ! looked for him, and his