The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-06-18
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The Engineers Remedy.

My engineer was gray-haired, thick
set man of fifty, quiet and unobtrusive,
and deeply in love with his beautiful ma
chine. He had formerly run a locomotive,
and now took stationary engine because
he could get no employment on the rail-
roads. A long talk with the superin-
tendent of the road from which he had
been removed revealed only one fault in
the mans past life-he loved strong
drink. lie u.s." said my informant, Gas
we'll posted on steam as any man on the
road he worked up from train.boy to
fireman, from fireman to engineers has
rendered US valuable services, has saved
many lives by his quickness and bravery;
but he cannot let liquor alone, and for
that reason we have discharged him." In
spite of this discouraging report, hired
the man. During the first week of his
stay l passed through the engine-room
many times day, in the course of my
factory rounds, but never found aught
amiss. The great machine ran as smoothly
and quietly as if its bearings were set in
velvet; the steel cross-head, the crank
shaft, the brass oil.cups, reflected the
morning sun like mirrors; no speck of
dust found Judgment in the room. In
the fire-room the same order and neat
ness prevailed; the steam-gauge showed
even pressure, the water-gauges were al
ways Just right, and our daily report
showed that we were burning less coal
than formerly. The most critical inspec-
ton failed to find anything about either
engine or boilers that showed the fair test
symptoms of neglect or carelessness.
Three weeks passed. The man who had
been recommended as good for FIVE days
work and then two days drunk" had not
swerved hair from his duty. The COS.
sips were beginning to notice and COM
ment upon the strange affair. 81 should
like to speak with you moment, sir,
said he one morning, as passed through
his sanctum. DWELL, John, what now -
l said, drawing out my notebook. "Cylin
der oil all gone ?" "It's about myself,
he replied. l motioned him to proceed
"Thirty-two years ago l drank my frs
glass of liquor" said the engineer
"and for the past ten years, up to the las
month, no week has passed without it,
Ssturday-night drunk. During those
years was not blind to the fact that sp
petite was getting frightful hold upor
me. At times my struggles against tn,
longing for stimulant were earnest. M,
employers once offered me thousant
dollars if would not touch liquor for tire
months, but lost it; l tried all sorts q
antidotes, and all failed. My wife die
praying that might be rescued, yet m
promises to her were broken within tw
days. l signed pledges, and joined sc
cieties, but appetite was still my master
My employers reasoned with me, dis
charged me, forgave me, but all to no 81
feet. ! could not stop, and | knew il
When l came to work for you l did nc
expect to stay week; 1 was nearly don
for but now and the old mans fac
lighted up with an unspeakable joy, I" i
this extremity, when 1 was ready
plunge into hell for a glass of rum,
found a sure remedy l am saved fror
my appetite " "What is your remedy
J The engineer took up an open Bible ths
!, lay, face down, on the window ledge an
i read " The blood of Jesus Christ clean
Q eth US from all sin" III. c. p, in III
: Christian,