The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-12-06
THE YOUNG ENGINEER.

THE YOUNG ENGlSEEk.
"The young man you met at the gate,
sir? Yes, that is my sonny boy Jack.
"You noticed the scars on his face, sir,
and thought, maybe, that they spoiled
features meant to be handsome?
"Ah, sirl that was because you did not
know. Why those red marks make him
more beautiful to me now than when q
baby in my arms, with yellow curls and
laughing eyes aud q skin like rose leaf,
the people hurrying in and out Of the
trains would turn to look and smile at
him, and praise him to each other, speak.
ing low, maybe, but not too low for
mothers quick. proud ears to hear.
"For we lived in little house close by
the station; and, when heard the whis-
tie OF his fathers train, used to snatch
the boy from his cradle, or off the floor
where he sat with his little playthings.
and ran down to the farther end of the
long depot, where the engine always
halted, to get the smile and loving word
that my heart lived on all day.
"Not the least bit afraid was the baby
OF all the whistling and changing OF bells,
the grooming of the wheels and putting of
the steam. He would laugh and spring
90 in my arms that coulds scarcely hold
him. till his father would reach down
sometimes and lift him up into the en-.
gineer's cabin and kiss him for one pre-
cious minute, and then toss him down to
me again.
"When he grew little older he was
never playing horse or soldiers like the
other little fellows around; it was always
q railroad train that he was driving. All
the smoothest strips out of my billets Of
kindling wood went to build tracks over
the kitchen floor, hither and thither,
crossing and recrossing each other.
"sDont move my switch, mother
dear be used to cry out to me. You'll
wreck my train for surer
$50 I had to go softly about my work,
With SCARCE plAos sometimes % Get my
fooH, Ind all, he chaira Il the house
would be ranged for cars, the big rocker,
with the tea bell tied to its back, for the.
engine; and there he would cit perched
mp by the hour together. making believe
attend 70 the valves and shouting to the
firemen.
81 shall never forget the 6rst time his
father took him to ride ON the engine.
Jack had begged over and over to go.
but his father always bade him 10 wait
till he was . little older. So I had
said.-
Don't tease father any moro, Jack,
DEAR And, like the true little heart he
was. he had not said another word about
it for u matter Of six months or more.
.sBut that day such wistfnl look came
into his face; and he pulled himself up
tall and straight, and said quite softly,
his voice trembling Q little, Father, do
you think am grown enough nowT
Cooking 1t him, saw two tears in
his pretty eyes. / think his father saw
them. too; for he turned to me in
hurry, and said he,-
1--we meet the up train at Langton,
Mary; and Will Brow will bring the lit
tie chap back al straight, know. What
iWhat could cay bat yes. At supper
time he was back again; but he could not
eat. His eyes were like stars; and there
was Q hot, red spot ON each cheek, 20
that I feared be would be i'll. And l had
thought be would never be done talking.
but nov he said scarce word.
".What was il like, Jsckie?' I asked
40 mother he said. II wasn't like
anvthinRY He eat still for minute think
iu9. then he said, 'Unless il was like
That you reed last Sunday
And What We that. Jack?' I asked,
for he'd quite forgotten.
"'Dont you know. motherF The
vings Of the windf'"
'That vas not his last ride on the en-
Qine BY many times; for, - he grew old
or. hia father would take him often on
Saturdays OF other hal. holidays. He
vas perfectly trusty and obedient. I b.
lieve be would have bad his right hand
cut Oh sooner than have meddled With
anything, but he know every valve and
ecrsw and glsage, and Watched every
turn Of his hther's hand. and learned
the signals al aloag the line. - that ny
husbend aid 70 ~ more than onoo:
"'I believe In my heart, Mary. that II
I vas 70 - s1suek Dad o. the engine.
jack could rush hss through without .
brsakr
bat, out Of hours; - - always sesdy.
~ over books about machinery and
s1San. Such On odd ehi1d - ~ ~,
Win thoughts tar heyond hi 'ysaEsl
Gonstimes, Sitting hsso b. ny.ons I -
Over IN ny mind ~ seeenPe AinGs -
ueod 70 ~ - ~ n thoso dAya
1T rumGnboe that ore evening ho I'D
ben ssadiag for long tns y sooe