St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-01-01
ON NEW YEARS EVE.
The Story Told by a Stalwart En-
gineer--I,ittIe Mamie's Cum

The Story Told by Stalwart En-
gineer---Little Mamie's Cup
1t was New Years eve. Cold and
dreary was the night, and mournful
air seemed to hover DER the small West
ern village of N. Outside the snow
was piling up in huge drifts and the
shrieking, piercing wind BODIED little
comfort to him who dared to venture
abroad. The little knot of railroad men
grouped about CHEEKY fire in the rail
way station congratulated themselves
that they had no more runs that night,
and at each dismal blast of wind settled
themselves more comfortably in their
chairs.
"By Jove, No. is two hours late.
Wonder what has happened to her?"
remarked a StalWart engineer as he
looked at his watch.
Shows little thick, Ireckon, "Esome
one replied.
ats terrible night, boys" said Tim
Jones, walking to the window an re-
turning to the fire with a shudder.
"GueSS I'd better fire up a little" and
Suiting the action to the word, he stirred
up the emberS and threw on few sticks
OF wood. A bright blaze illuminated
the countenances of the faces, be-
grimmed with smoke and coal dust, each
one now wearing thoughtful express
sion. All was quiet for while, each
one absorbed in his own reflections.
''To-mOrrow's New Years, boys"
said the youthful member of the party,
land I'd give anything to be home with
my old mother tonight"
And l with my little wife," put in a
second.
'.And l with my wife and sweet little
Bessie" chimed a third.
All were silent for a moment, but sud-
denly tall, handsome Jack Morton stag
gered to his feet and buttoned up his
coat nervously. His face was deathly
pale, and two large tears appeared in
his eyes. The men, astonished beyond
measure, gaZed at him in alarm, and
were about to speak when Tim eau
tiously motioned them to silence.
''Fm going-going up to the switch
house boys-to-to-see if No. 6has-been
heard FROM said Jack unsteadily. and
in an instant more was gone.
The men looked at each other inouir-
ingly, and finally Tim broke the pain
full silence.
ITS too bad, boys; 1 never thought"
said he.
"Thought what?" 'What's the mat
ter?n TELL us!'' they cried.
w GIL, Sitlu i III TelecIlNeiy, III was
our talk that started him. 1t was two
years ago tonight it happened, and
right in this very spot. Put chunk of
wood on that fire, Tony" and, taking
another bite from his plug, he
continued. ''Old Jack was rUnnin'
No. 0, and better engineer never
lived. Right acrost the track, back
Always, was his purity little home. He
had rs sweet little wife, boys, as You
ever see, and that little fMlr-year-old
girl of his. Manic, he called her, was
the cutest, prettiest little tot as eyer
lived. Well, Jack, Il handsome Teller
hisseif as yea all knows, jist dotted
on 'eIu ann; wasn't satisfied a
minute he was away from 'em.
His train didn't stop here, but he always
whistied two short elasts and two long
ones when hc passed, as signal TO his
wife and little Mamie. LII they wasn't
standin' out there OIL tn platform of the
stock pen, they was lo0kin' out TIL win
dow where they atlus put light. Well,
every time any one heard them whistles
they knowed it was Jack Martin talkin'
to his wife. Well-tsis same
night two year ago. the wife and little
Mamie was standin' on the platform
waitin' Coz No. 9. 1t was a purity wild
night, but they wuz there cause f. was
New Year eve and sweet little Manic
had handkerchief TO wave TO her papa.
Oh, 1t wus TERRIBLE" and Tin covered