Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-05-23
ONLY A BRAKEMAN.

"ACC1DENT.-An extra freight train
on the 3. & G. R. r. was wrecked last
night by a broken bridge just beyond
Carlyle. A son Of the Hon. Carlton
Ballou 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 into
one corner of the morning paper, amid
score Or two others, but it interested
me; for knew the whole brave story
so we'll, and felt in my heart almost
hatred for the writer who hat done such
Injustice to noble life and overlooked
so grand deed.
I was only the night telegraph opera
tor at Carlyle-not q very exalted posi-
ton, perhaps, but yet one OF considera-
bic responsibility and trust. From sew
en- in the evening until the same hour
in the morning 1 held in the hollow of
my hand the life of almost every man
passing over our division of the road.
l remember one night, when I was
sitting 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 accommodation from
Brighton-had been in for some time,
and had nothing to disturb me but my
thoughts
"Well, Billy, how's No. So" a voice
suddenly asked, as the outside door was
pushed ajar.
zone hour late," I replied, hastily;
and then, looking up, l saw Tom Mar
shall, brakeman on the last freight,
filling up the doorway. "Come inside
and have a chair, Tom," added, as
recognized the face of my questioner.
'Only for a moment Tonight" he an
swered me, as he sat down at my invi.
tation, his lantern resting between his
feet on the floor. II have call to make
this evening, and must wash up little
first"
"Where away tonight, Tom? Not
up on the hill again, surely ?"
He shook his head in the affirmative,
his eyes fixed upon my table, where the
instrument 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 tits said they
are engaged, you know" And look
ed up at his strong Saxon face from
where lay stretched on bench 10y the
wall
"Ithink they are mistaken about that,
Billy; but Ballou has more oppo1tuni
ties than can enjoy" he replied, very
slowly. II only get in here two nights
p week, you know but do the best 1
can"
''Then it is serious. Tom ?" 1 asked
for I liked this broad -shouldered, fair
hai ed fellow, brakeman though be was.
I'm afraid it is with me, Billy" he
replied, his eyes gazing steahfastly at
the lantern between his feet "But.
good night; I must go; will see you
again as l come ill.," And the heavy
door closed behind him.
AS sat there alone in the office after
he had gone, l thought Of all these
things thought them over again and
again. had known Tom fol two years,
aud liked the hoy. knew, or thought
| knew, Kate Carr, up in the big white
house on the hill. A proud gill enough
in her way-proud of her fathers riches,
her own beauty, and the dozen suitors
who had kneit at her feet. Ever since
Tom first sought her society I wonder
ed at his welcome. It seemed SO strange
a thing to me that one so proud of her
position, SO thoroughly slave of society
as Kate Cerr appeared to be, should SO
openly encourage the attentions of a
family connections we knew nothing,
and whose only wealth was his month
ly pay. Still Tom was a young and
eood-iooking fellow enough, and, per
haps, after all, she was little vain at
having SO handsome suitor, even
though SO poor, to add to her lengthy
string of victims. never could believe
that she bad the heart to return his
great, honest love. and be willing, in
exchange to sacrifice all her hopes and
pride for his sake; and then, besides. |
rumor had it that George BallCu, the
son of a rich banker of ne1ghboring
town, had already gained her promise,
and from many little things which had
fallen under my notice, I began to be
lleve that rumor for once was right
And Tom loved her, and I thought it
over all night when was not busy, and
wondered in my own heart how it could
end.
Tom never come back to the depot
that night, though 1 looked for him,
and his train left eastward while I was
taking my break fast at the OILY hotel
the place afforded, aud I caught but a
glimpse Of him as they swung round the
curve. I afterwards heard the whole
story from his lips. hut can tell it best
for myself. From his car he passed up
the long hill to where the lights of the
Carr mansion were twinkling among
The trees, determined to learn his. fate
from Kate's own lips that very night
The perlor windows were dark when
he ascended the stone steps and rang the
bell, and the servant jwho answered it,