Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-07-08
>~s -
THE ENGINEER's REm EDY.

My engineer was a gray haired
thick set man of fifty, quiet and unob-
trusive, and deeply in love with his
beautiful machine. He had formerly
run locomotive, and took stationary
engine be cause he could get no en-
ployment on the railroads, A long
talk with the superintendent of the
road from which he had been removed
revealed only one fault in the mans
past life; he loved strong drink.
"IIe is" said my informant, "as
well posted ON steam as any man on
the road; he worked up from train-boy
TO fireman to engineer, 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 | passed through the en-
gine-room many times day, in the
course of my factory rounds, but never
found auGht amiss. The great ma
chine 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 lodgment in the room. In the
"tire room" the same order and neat
ness prevailed; the steam-gauge
showed even pressure, the water
gauges were always just right, and
our daily report showed that we were
burning less coal than formerly. The
most critical inspection failed to find
anything about either engine or
boilers that showed the taintest symp-
toms 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 a hair from
mis- duty. The gossips were begin
ming to notice and comment upon the
strange affair.
Il should like to speak with you
moment, sir" said he one morning, as
l passed through his sanctum.
"Well, John, what now" l said,
drawing out my notebook. "Cylin-
der oil all gomez"
It's about myself" he replied.
l motioned him TO proceed.
''lhirty-two years ago | drank my
first glass of liquor,' said the cngi.
necr, and tor the past ten years, up
to III last month, no week has passed
without It's Saturday night drunk.
During those years | was not blind to
the TACT that appetite was getting Il
irighitul hold upon me.
Al times my struggles against the
longing for stimulant were earnest Ny
employers once offered me a thousand
dollars if would not touch liquor for
three months, but lost it; l tried all
sorts Of antidotes, and all failed. My
wife died praying that | might be res
cued, yet my promise TO her was brok-
en- within two days. signed pledges
and joined societies, but appetite was
still my master. My employers rea-
soned with me, discharged me, for
gave ME, but all to no effect. | could
not stop, and | knew it. When |
came TO work TOR you | did not expect
to stay week; | was nearly done tor;
but now - and the old mans tace
lighted up with an unspeakable JOY,
lin this extremity, when | was ready
to plunge into hell for Il glass Of rum,
l found a sure remedy | am saved
from MY appetite J"
what is your remedy 2"
The engineer took up an open Bible
that lay, face down, on the window
ledge and read, 1.-The blood of Jesus
Christ cleanseth from all sin.