The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1888-06-16
A LOCOMOTIVE HERO.

Well gentleman, il you wish it, I'll tell
you the story. When I was youth Of
nineteen and lived with my parents in
Pennsylvania town, I had a taste for rail-
raading and boyish AMBITION to become
a driver, although 1 had been educated
for loftier pursuits.
During my college vacation lounged
about the station almost constantly, max
ing friends with the trainmen, and espe-
cially with driver named Silas Markley.
I became much attached to this man,
notwithstanding he was forty years old
and by no means sociable fellow.
He was my ideal Of brave, skillful
thoroughbred driver, and I looked up to
him as something OF hero. He was not
a married man but lived alone with his
old mother. was frequent visitor at
their house, and think they both took
quite a fancy to me in their quiet, I'M
demonstrative way.
When Markley's fireman left him, I
induced him to let me take his place dur
ing the remainder Of my vacation. He
hesitated for some time before he con-
scented to humor my boyish whim, but
he finally yielded and was in great
glee. The fact was that in my idleness
and the overworked state of my brain L
craved the excitement as a confirmed
drunkard does iquor,and, besides, I had
such longing dreams of the fiery ride
through the hills, mounted literally on
the iron horse. So became an expert
fireman, and liked it exceedingly, for the
excitement more than compensated for
the rough work was required to do.
But there came time when got my
fill of excitement. Mrs. Markley one day
formed plan which seemed to give her
a good deal OF happiness. Il was her
sons birthday, and she wanted to go
down to Philadelphia in the train with
out letting him know anything about it
and there purchase present for him.
She took me into her confidence and had
me to assist her, I arranged the prelim-
inaries and got her into the train with
out being noticed by Marley. who of
course was busy with his engine.
The old lady was in high glee over the
bit of innocent deception she was prac
ticing on her son. She enjoined me
again not to tell Silas, and then left her
and took my place.
It was midsummer day and the
weather was delightful. The train was
neither an express nor an accommodation,
but one which stopped at the principal
stations on the route. On this occasion
as there were two specials on the line, it
was run by telegrsph-that is, the driver
has simply to obey instructions which he
receives at each station, so that he is put
as q machine in the hands Of one comptrol-
Ter, who directs all trains from central
point and has the whole line under his
eye. II the driver does not obey to the
least title his orders it is obstruction
to the whole.
Well, we started without mishsp and
up to time, and easily reached the first
station in the time allotted to us. AS we
stopped here boy ran alongside with
the telegram which he handed to the
driver. The next moment 1 heard
smothered exclamation from Marley.
"Go back" he said to the boy; "tell
Williams to have the message repeated;
there's a mistake"
The boy dashed off: in ten minutes he
came flying back. "Had it repe ated, he
shouted, civilians is storming at you;
says there's no mistake, and you'd best
get on" He thrust the second message in
as he spoke.
Marley read it and stood hesitating
for half minute. There was dismay
and sheer perplexity in the expires.
sion of his face as he looked at the tele'
gram and the long train behind him.
His lips moved as if he was calculating |
chances; and his eyes suddenly qusiled |
as if he saw death at the end of the cal |
culation. was watching him with con-
siderable curiosity. 1 ventured to ask |
him what was the matter, and what he
was going to do.
I'm going to obey" he replied CURLY.
The engine gave long shrek of horror
that made me start as if it we're Markley's
own voice. The next instant we rushed
out of the station and dashed through
low-lying farms at speed which seemed
dangerous to me.
"Put in more COAL" said Marley.
shoveled it in, but took time.
eve are going very fast, Marley"
He did not answer. His eyes were
fixed on the steam engine, his lips close
shut.
"More COAL" he said; threw it in.
The fields and houses began to fly past
half seen. We were nearing Dumfreme