The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-10-06
ALOCOMOTIVE HERO.

: Well, gentlemen, you wish 1t, III
tell you the story, When 1 was q
youth ofaineteen end lived with my
parents Ia q Pennsylvania town, ]
he'd y taste for railroading and a boy.
ish ambition to become q driver, al.
though / had been educated for loft.
Ter pursuits.
During my colledge vacation
lounged about the station almost
constantly, making friends with the
trainmen, and especially with a
driver named Silas Marley. fbecame
much attached to this man, hotwith.
standing he was forty years old, and
by no means q sociable fellow.
Hewas my Ideal ola brave, skill.
'Ml, Thoroughbred driver, and Hooked
up to him as something ofa hero
He was not q married man, but lived
alone with his old mother. I was a
frequent visitor at their house, and
think they both took quite a fancy
to me intheir quiet, undemonstrative
way.
When Markley's fremen left him
induced him to let me take his place
during the remainder ofmy vacation,
He hesitated for some time before he
consented to humor my boyish whim,
but he finally yielded and was in
great giee. The fact was that in my
idleneSs end the overworked state ol
my brain I craved the excitement as
q confirmed drankArd does liquor,
and, besides, l had such longing
dreams Of the fiery ride through the
hills, mounted literally on the iron
horse. So became an expert fire
man, and liked it exceedingly, for the
excitement more than compensated
for the rough work was required
to do.
. But there came time when I got
my I'll of excitement. Mrs. Marley
one day formed a plan which seemed
to give her o good deal of happiness
1t was her sons birthday, and she
wanted to go down to Philadelphia
in the train without letting him know
anything about it, and there pur
chase q present for him. She tool
me into her confidence and had me
to assist her. arranged the prelim
inaries and got her into the trair
without being noticed by Markley
who, of course was busy with his en-
CINE:
The old lady was in high glee ovel
the bit Of innocent deception she wa
playing on her son. She enjoined m.
again not to tell Slas, and then
left her and took my place.
1t was q midsummer day and tn
weather was delightful. The trail
was neither express nor accommo
dation, but one which stopped Attn
principal stations on the route. Oh
this occasion, as there were two spec
ials on the line, it was run by tele
graph, that ID, the driver has simpl.
to obey instructions which he receives
at each station, 90 that he puts {
machine In the hands of one comp
troller, who directs all trains from
central point, and has the whole lin
under his eye. If the driver does no
obey to theleast little his orders, it il
struction to the whole.
= Well, We started without mishal
and up to time, and easily reached
the first station in the time allotted
to Us. As we stopped here o boy raj
alongside with the telegram which b
handed to the driver. The mex
moment / heard O smothered excla
nation from Markley.
go back" he said to the boy
"tell Williams to have the messag
repeated; there's q mistake"
The boy dashed OF; in ten minute
he came lying back. Had 1t repeat
ed" he shouted, Williams il storm
ing at you; says there's no mistake
and you'd best get on" He thrus
the secgnd message in as he spoke.
Marley read 1t and stood hesitat
ing for half q minute. There wa
dismay and sheer perple1ity in tn
expression Of his face az he looked a
the telegram and the long train be
hind him. His lips moved as if b
was calculating chances, and his eye
suddenly quailed as if he saw dealt
at the end Of the calculation. Iva
watching him with considerable curl
osity. I ventured to ask him wha
was the matter, and what he was 60
ing to do.
nm going to obey" he reptile,
CURLY. The engine gave q long shriel
Of horror that made me start as if j
we're Markley's own voice. The mex
instant we rushed out of the station
and dashed through low-lying farm
ut q speed which seemed dangerou
to me.
"Put in more COAL" said Marley
/ shovelled it in, but took time.
1--WE are going very fast, Markley.
He did. not answer. His eyes wer
fixed on the steam engine, his mout
close shut.
"Mors COAL" he said; I threw it il
The fields and houses began to q
past half seen. We were nearin
numfreme, the next station. MARI
ley's eye went from the gage to th
face Of the timepiece and back. Fl
moved like an automaton. Their
was little moro meaning in his fact
sMorei" he said, without turnin
his eye. / took up the shovel-hes
tated.
Marley, do you know that 70
are going at the rate OF sixty mile
an hour7"
"Coall'
Twas alarmed at the stern, col
rigidity Of the man. His pallor wa
becoming frightful. Threw on til
coal. At least We must stop at Dun
freme. That was the next halt. TIL
little town approached. As the fir
house came into view, the engir
sent its shrieks Of warning; it gre
louder, louder.
We dashed into the street, up t
the station, where group Of passel
gers waited, and passed it without
halt Of an instant; catching
glimpse Of the appalled, faces and I'll