South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1882-06-02
ONLY A BRAKEMAN.


on the Is. & G. X. Il. was wrecked
last night Ivy broken bridge just be-
yond Carlyle. A son OF the Hon.
Carlton Ballou was on the train, but
fortunately escaped injury. a brake.
man by the name of Marshall was tho
only person killed.
Ii was only short dispatch. cast
INTO one corner of the morning paper.
amid score or two others, but il in.
tcrcsted me; for | knew the whole
brave story so well, and / felt in my
heart almost n hatred for the writer
who had done such injustice to Il no.
die lilo and overlooked so grand a
deed.
was only the night telegraph OPP
orator at Carlylc-not very exalted
position. perhaps, bnt yet one OF con-
siderable responsibility aud trnst =
From seven in the evening until the
same hour in the morning | held in
the hollow OF my hand the life of al
most every man passing over our di.
vision OF the road.
remember one night, when was
sitting alone in my little, crampcd up
Office, and listening, from nero force
OF habit, to tine varied messages as
they went clicking by to the other sta
tons on the road. The last train
for several hours the freight accom-
mediation from Brighton-had been
in for some time, and | had nothing
to disturb me but my thoughts.
well, Billy, how's No. 5?' Il voice
suddenly asked, us the outside door
was pushed uiar.
One hour late | replied, hastily !;
and chen, lookin UP, l saw Tom
Marshall. brakeman on the last
freight, filling MP the doorway. Come
inside and have chair, Tom nd.
ded, as | recognized the face of my
quest!oner.
Only Tor q moment Tonight he
answered mo, as lie sat down ut my
invitation, his lantern resting between
his feet on the floor. i have a call
to make this evening, and mast wash
UP little first
w here away 70 night, Tom? Not
M on the hill again, surcly?'
lie shook his head in the affirmative,
his eyes fixed upon my table, where
the INSTRUMENT WAS ticking away.
'0t course It's none ofnly business.
my boy; but it seems to me you 90
- the great white house too often of
l.dc. 3allou might object. and cts
said they arc engaged. you Know
And / looked up mt his strong Saxon
lace from where | lag stretched on
bench by the wall
j think tl.cy arc mistaken about
that, Billy; bnt Bulloa has more op-
portunilins than | can enjoy he re-.
Piled, very slowly. i only get in
here two nights week, you Know
but 10 the best | can
Then it is serious, Tom?' asked
for liked this broad shouGered
fairnired fellow, brakeman though Inc
was.
I'm afraid il is with me, Billy,' he
replied, his eyes gazing steaIfastIy ut
thc lantern between his feet. But.
good night | must 60, will see You
again as | come m Ard the heavy
door closed behind linn.
AS ! sat there atone in the Office af.
fer Inc had gone, | thought of all these
tlIings-tliougit them over again and
again. had BROWN Tom for two
cars, and liked the boy. knew.
or thought ! knew, Kate Carr, up in
the Lig white house ON the hill. A
proud girl enough in her way-proud
OF her fathers riches, her own beauty.
and the dozen suitors who had kncIt
ut her feet. Ever since Tom first
sought her society | wondered at his
welcome. IL seemed so strange n
thing To me that one so proud of her
position, so thoroughly a slave of so.
cicty as Kate Carr appeared TO be.
should so openly encourage the atten.
lions OF a mere freight brakcman-a
man OF whose family connections we
know nothing, and whose only wealth
was his monthly pay. Still Tom was
n young and good looking fellow
nQugh, and. perhaps, after all, she was
a little voin at having so handsome a
sutton, even though so poor, to add to
her lengthy string of victims. ne.
ger could believe that enc had the
heart TO return his great, honest love
and be willing. in exchange to sacri-
flee all her hopes and pride for his
sake and then, besides. rumor had it
that George Ballou, the son OF rich
hanger OF q ncighboring town, had
already gated her promise, aud from
many little things which had fallen
under my notice, began to believe
that rtmor for once was right. And
Tom loved her, and / thought it over
oil night When was not busy. and
wondered IN NY own heart how il
could end.
ION never came back 10 The lepot
that night, though / looked for him.