Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1882-11-04
ENGINE NO. j.

A reporter, you know, never allows a
chance to slip wherein information is TO
be fairly gained.
When burly framed and large-hcarted
Buck Smith, engineer of No. /, offered me
ride in his 'cab," you may depend, to
use the slang phrase. 81 was there"
Smith was popular fellow. But his
extreme quietness of disposition WAS re-
marked 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 eagles when on
the rua, and "looking ont ahead" He
was running the st. Louis night express
that backs into Washington before lead
ing westward. was going as far as the
capital.
| clambered slyly and unseen into the
s'cab " and was instantly alert for every
thing, though careful to keep myself out
of the way.
Promptly at 80 the gong sounded.
There WAS Kissing of steam, contin-
uous, doleful Changing of the bell, puff &.
puff! and out of the glare Of c. station
we glided into darkueSs-darkness pitchy
and wet with falling snow.
Grim, stern, rigid as statue stood Buck.
| fell to wondering whether an engineers
arm never grew tired, when l knew that
his trusty hand did not dare once to be re-
moved from that small lever OH 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 tor the brave, resolute
man on whose nerve their very lives de-
pended.
TO my surprise, with the increase of
speed there seemed to be less noise In the
"cab." And it was Just as began to re-
alize this that the incident occurred which
now relate to you.
We had passed Winans. / knew there
was no road to signal for, but Buck sud-
denly exclaimed:
"Blow, Harry3'
The fireman pulled the cord, and out i'll
the night shrieked peculiar whistle, un-
like anything had ever heard.
At the same time Harry, the young fire.
man. glanced at ae strangely and shook
his head. / looked instinctively toward
Buck Smith, and what saw made my..re-
porter's heart jump. There was mys-
terry enacting in the cab OF engine No. l.
The firm hand was still tight on the
lever, the stern, sad eyes still fixed un-
sweryingly ahead; but saw on one cheek
a single, shining, rolling tear.
He was bending forward slightly. His
rough shirt was open at the front, where,
suspended by leather string, were two
rings-one a plain gold band, the other
set with a beautiful cleaning diamond.
These rings were pressed to his lips.
"Buck's praying" said the fireman,
close TO my ear.
Then Buck, as he carefully hid away
the rings:
Hear that toot, Nat?"
eyes"
"Guess what it's for"
Glow should II"
"For my little girl"
"why didn't know you had child,
Buck"
ssWelI. the whole world doesn'G know
it-that's a fact. Coal up, Harry, here's
the grade"
The iron Goor was wrenehed open, like
the fiery, seething mouth of monster
dragon while the fireman piled his shovel.
All had transpired in less than ten sec
onds. As the glare lighted broadly on the
dark night saw on the bank Of the track
side-saw as we sped like the wind-a
female figure, who waved lantern briskly
to and fro.
"God bless her, Nat-that's my Dolly"
Then presently: 81 don't know but may
as well tell you about it-though don't
tell everybody, mind you. I've only had
my home here few years-used to live
near Point o. Rocks. As pretty cottage
it was, for pretty wife, as any man need
wish for. You haven't known me long,
or you'd have heard that married 4 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 for rough man like
am. won her away from a chap who
was better off and better looking than /.
His name was Carol Conrad. was never
jealous man; did not even request my
wife to give up his acquaintance. So
thought nothing of it when sometimes
when l returned from trip she would
say:
"'Buck, dear, Carol has been here to
see me-"
"But one night, Nat, there came blow
to me that well nigh drove me mad--wait
minute. Blow for the Relay, Harry"
Thrice, four times, shreiked 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