Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-03-28
A Great Enterprise.

n UTedI enterprise
John Mills, the hero of this sketch,
was railroad engineer, and had been
for long time in the company's en-
ploy. When the new engine "59"
was completed and placed on the
road, John was given charge of it,
and he evinced a natural pride in his
preferment. At one Of the stations
there was young girl, Geographic
operator, between whom and the en-
gineer there had sprung up warm
attachment, and whenever "59" came
along Kate generally managed to be
at the door and exchange signals with
her lover. One day the train was de-
tanned at the station, and the locomo-
tive detached and sent up the road to
do some additional work, and Kate
went along for ride. AS she listen
ed to the sharp shrill notes Of the
whistle, it occurred to her that she
might teach John to sound her name
in the Morse Geographic characters,
so that she could distinguish his sig.
nal from that of the other engines,
whenever his train approached. The
plan worked to a charm and far and
near the whistle shrieked Kate, UNI
til one day, as the operator stepped
upon the platform, she over heard a
conversation between two young men,
and learned that they understood the
signal and were laughingly wondering
who Kate could be. Their means of
communication having been discov-
cred, they were obliged to discontinue
it. In the mean time Kate had by
means of the telegraph, made the ac-
quaintance of a young lady in a dis
tant city, but whom she had never
seen, and to her made known the fact
that the secret had been discovered.
Then her friend suggested plan as
brilliant as it was ingenious. 1t was
simply to arrange a means of tele-
graphic communication between the
approaching train and the station, so
as to ring bell hidden away in the
closet in Hates Office, engine "59"
being the only one provided with the
means of completing the circuit, which
was done by laying the poker upon the
tender brake so as to touch the
wire in passing. Kate found an
opportunity to acquaint John with
the proposed plan, and in the mean
time had found an abandoned wire
which ran for long distance close by
the track, and which she proposed to
use for carrying out her purpose.
Thanksgiving Day came soon after,
and John fortunately having a holi
day, he and Kate went bravely to
work, and before the day had ended
the task was complete success. The
dramatic finale of their little episode
is told in the following:
1t was singular how absent-minded
and inattentive the operator was on
the day that the great scientific enter
prise was finished. No wonder she
was disturbed. Would her little bat
terry be strong enough for such great
circuit? Would the new line work :?
Would John be able to close il? The
people began to assemble for the train.
The clock pointed to the hour of its
arrival.
Suddenly, with startling distinct
ness, the bell rang clear and loud in
the echoing room. With cry of de-
light she put oil her dainty hat and
ran in haste out upon the platform.
The whistle broke loud and clear on
the cool, crisp air, and "59" appeared
round the curve in the woods. The
splendid monster slid swiftly up to her
feet and paused.
Perfect, John Perfect 1t works
to charm"
With spring she reached the cab,
and sat down OH the fremans seat.
BLESSED if | could tell what he was
going to do" said the fireman. ale
told me aboutit Awful bright idea
You see, he laid the poker on the
tender brake there, and it bit the tire,
slam, and / saw the wires touch. II
was just prime"
But the happy moments sped, and
"59' groaned and slowly departed
while Kate stood on the platform, hel
face wreathed in smiles and white
steam.
So the lovers met each day, and
none knew how she was made aware
of his approach with such absolute
certainty. Science applied to love
or rather love applied to science, car