The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-02-17
Selert Stnry.
The Engineers Story.
His Thrilling Experience on the
Track Under q Fire-BOX.

The following is translation OF
story by the late Baron NJ. IL. Won We
Der, who in his preparation for bis pro
tession as an engineer served fer yea
on locomotive:
| II was New Years eve in the locomo
tive engineers room at the eneine-hous
in the German town OF Berglitz. Al
old locomotive engineer, retired on
pension. was brewing bowl OF punch q
the table, which in honor OF the New
Year was spread with clean cloth. Ir
from the cold, snowy air entered mum
Der OF locomotive runners wrapped u[
10 their eyes, covered with snow, putting
and stamping.
"Bad wea her for running this New
Years." said the new corners shaking of
the snow and stripping of their over.
coats, wraps, jackets, caps and over.
shoes.
"Little do you know, owadaye, of bad
weather for running an engine; in the
glass parlors that the companies have
built over your foot-boards, on engines
that rock you on their springs as nurse
rocks child in it's arms You ought to
have stood with me about 1889 and 1910
on the little engines that run so hard and
pitched go that you felt every rail joint
from sole t, crown, and that couldn't
stir when the snow was ankle deep over
the rails. And there We stood night aud
day with no sign of shelter except our
overcoa,s aud furs, through December
storms and July heats and in hail storms.
That was tough work! What do you
know about it2 AID for that matter,
what is your hardest work compared to
what Hennig has had to 60 through to-
day to finish up his year, in standing bis
examination for locomotive engineer
In the open air tie engine God is with
us; but in the school.room there is the
Devil. But here comes the bov that has
been running the gsuntlet. Hurrah for
him r.
Six hoarse voices repeated the well
come, and six right hands were stretched
toward the young man in bis black Sum-
day suit, With .blushing, open counte.
nance, and with that clear, far gaze in
his blue eyes, which is peculiar to sailors
and locomotive engineers Who entered
somewhat hesitatingly and answered
their greeting.
"Now how did you get through2 Did
they make it hot for your Did the mas.
ter mechanic try your eyes p
"Let,s sit down and have our punch"
said the engineers as they gathered round
him.
keep still now" SAID Zimmerman,
the old retired engineer. You shall
have no punch until Hornig and Frank
come In with the freight train. The tel
.egrapher told mo it was twenty minutes
behind time and 1t IA ist have got here
by this time."
"Wel." said the young candidate wip
ing of the sweat which the bare recol
lection of his experience caused to stand
on his brow "they tortured me fesriully.
was examined according to the new
regulations. A row of>gentlemen roi
long sat around me not one of whom,
except our master mechanic had ever
seen on a locomotive or in a shop. And
our foremen were not the worst ones.
They questioned me very sharply, to be
sure, but yon could understand them and
give them sensible answers. But didn't
understand more than half Of what the
other examiEers-learned men in high
me. They didn't talk
language, and what they wanted
to know ] had only learned ont OF the
hooks the foreman bad lent me. just for
the purpose Of passing the examination.
| never had come across them in prac
tice, and had never used them, and prob
ably never will as long ss live"
"And what we're thev 2" comrade
began to ask. lighting a cigar, when the
door OF the room suddenly opened and
10 poured cloud of snow out Of which
emerged two new arrivals, the engineers
of the helated freight trains.
"Just in time," was the crp; now pass
round The punch, and send to the restau.
rant for the New Years Eve dinner"
"Here is some game to add to it,"
said one Of the newcomers holding up
a half.roasted rabhit by The hind legs.
"Wbere did yon get lhat2 What is
the matter with it2"
"The little fellow was going to dish
himself up for the feast, but vas in lit
tie too much of hurry and got roasted
with his skin on" said the owner of the
rabbit. "rhe red light on my engine
scarsd him out Of his hiding.p place in the
anow and be began running rsce with
The train. For two or three minutes
saw the little fellow by the light OF nv
6re flying over the snow alorgside the
engine, on tie other track. l gave .