Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1888-10-05
OBEYING ORDERS.

Well, gentlemen, if you wish | will
tell you the story. When / was a
youth OF nineteen, and lived with my
parents in Pennsylvania town, | had
taste for railroading, and boyish
ambition to become driver, although
| had been educated for loftier pur-
suits.
During my college vacation | lounged
about the station almost constantly,
making friends with the trainsmen'
and especially with a driver named 81
las Markley ! became much attach
ed to this man, Notwithstanding he
was forty years old, and by no means
a sociable fellow.
He was my ideal of a brave, skillful
thoroughbred driver, and | looked up
to him as something of brave hero.
He was not married, but lived all
alone with his old mother. | was a
frequent visitor to their house, and |
think they both took quite fancy to
me in their quiet, undemonstrative
way.
When Markley's fireman left him
induced him to let me take his place
during the remainder Of my vacation.
He hesitated some time before he con
sented to humor my boyish whim, but
he finally yielded and ! was in great
glee. The fact was that in my idle
ness and the over-worked state Of my
brain | craved the excitement as a
confirmed drunkard does liquor, and,
besides had such longing dreams of
the fiery ride through the hills mount
ed literally on the iron horse. SO be-
came an expert fireman, and liked it
exceedingly, for the excitement more
than the compensation 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 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 purchase
a present for him. She took Inc into
her confidence and had me assist her
| arranged the preliminaries and got
her into the train without being no
ticed by Markley, who, of course, was
busy with his engine.
The old lady was in high glee over
the bit of innocent deception she was
practicing on her son. She enjoined
me again not to tell Silas, and then |
left her and took my place.
1t was a midsummer day and the
weather was delightful. The train
was neither an express nor an accom-
mediation, but one that stopped at the
principal stations on the route. On
this occasion, as there were two spec
ials on this line, it was run by tele-
graph, that is, the driver was simply
to obey instructions which he receives
at each station, so that he is put as
machine in the hands of one CONTROL
er. who directs all trains from a CEN
tral point, and has the whole line un-
der his eye. If the driver does not
obey to the least title his orders, it is
destruction to the whole.
Well, we started without mishap and
up to time, and easily reached the sta
ton in the time allotted to US. As we
stopped here boy ran along side with
the telegram which he handed TO the
driver. The next moment / heard
smothered exclamation from Markley.
60 back he said to the boy; tell
Williams to have the messages repeat
ed; there's a mistake"
The boy dashed off; in ten minutes
he came flying back. Had it repeat
ed" he shouted, Williams is storning
at you; says there's no mistake, and
you'd best go on" He thrust the Sec
ond message in as he spoke.
Markley read it and stood hesitating
for half minute. There was dismay
and sheer perplexity in the expression
of his face as he looked at the tele-
gram and the long train behind him.
His lips moved as if he was calculat
ing chances, and his eyes suddenly
auailed as if he saw death at the end
of the calculation. / was watching
him with considerable curiosity. |
ventured to ask him what was the
matter; and what he was going to do.
Il ain going TO obey" he replied
curtly. The engine gave long shrek
OF horror that made me start as if it
were Markley's own voice. The next
instant we rushed out of the station
and dashed through low lying farms