The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-18

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without His whis,Ie-Iett.r Carrier
and PoIiceman-Tbe Engineers whis-
tle-In Factory Towns-Tus-.
Few people stop TO think Of the impor
tant part played by whistlcrs and wills
Ting in the daily life Of great city like
New York Yet if all the whistlers and
whistles that add TO the din OF the city
during a single twenty-four hours could
be gotten together. say in Union square.
and made to blow simultaneous blast,
the uproar would probably bc so great
that it would deafen for life any man wLo
CHANGED TO be within a block of the place.
Among some OF the lesser whistleTs in
point OF noise made, are the drivers of the
street ears and the postmen. yet many
precious moments are saved by the use Of
whistles by these individuals A heavy
truck gets Oh the car track. and the pas
sengers grow impatient as the car crawls
along in consequence. Then the whistle
gets in its work. and its shrll peal re-
minds the driver of the heavy wagon that
lie Is violating city ordinance, and he
pulls off the track, and the car bowls
along once more.
Without whistle said car driver
to the reporter. we couldn't get along at
all in the crowded parts of the city. where
The noise il 50 great that drivers OF heavy
wagons can't hear our bell We buy tho
whistle ourselves. and pay about half
lollar Tor it 4 whistle with a good shiill
tone is needed for our business.
LETTER CARRIER AND POLICEMAN.
Il don't know how | could ever cover
my route, said letter carrier without
my whistle 1t blow il at an interval Of
every few houses and the people hear it
and are ready for me 50 don't have to
wait a moment after ringing the bell
People are always looking for letters and
} tnxious TO get them. II was a pediler
or a BOOK at aud known By my whistle,
Ir would never blow it. for every one woui
In hide in the cellar
he In some cities tho policemen summo
he assistance by the aid of whistles. but
ne New York they arc only used by son
W policemen on street crossings for arrcstin
~ the progress of reckless drivers I'll
he bcyclist. too always has his whistle az
tie handy place so he may warn The pede
it trian Of the approach Of his silent steet
'g. Then there are the butcher, the bale
mt md the candlestic'S maker. who, in maxim
ns heir rounds OF apartment houses. alway
- whistle up, to announce their arrival pr,
or paratoiy to taking orders through III
he tube.
to Before the adv,at Of air brakes railr0a
al engineers used to use their engine whistle
II more frequently than they do at present
q and the familiar foot" OF the engin
:. meant put Oh the brakes, while ia
b. quick double "toot. loot of the whist
ne VAS followed by a rattling of the brake
"A a. they were let OFF with a jerk. Ioda
We the whistles do service principally d
IN crossings. where they attract ones after
Il ton to the familiar legend Look out fC
c the engine while the bell rings Asid
AZ from its practical use, there are man
o. stories told of the locomotive whist
n serving as ii bearer Of tidings of love an
comfort. Some engineers have regulc
system Of signals arranged with the
families, by which they can send me
- sage when their engine passes near I'll
i home Of the loved ones One engineer
all Connecticut, whose vile lived near Ill
er track OH certain part OF his route. whic
ht le reached every night about II O'clOcl
IL was il the habit Of whistling good nigl
lie message to his loving wife as he passe
:" his house She would be watching for I'll
es familiar greeting, and when its WELDON
\ sound reached he ears she would place
10 lighted lamp in her bedroom window. $
that her lord might know that all Wa
We we'll with her. The custom became know
Ell TO the regular Passengers on the traii
Us md they too, would watch eagerly for I'll
p light to appear.
/, WAITING ~ VAIN.
il At last there came a night when Ill
: engineers wife waited longingly for I'll
IN familiar sound, but waited in vain. tn
a fond heart which suggested that odd wa
J Of giving token of his love was stllled foI
= lever, and the hand that had 50 ofte
N pulled the cord that opened the stear
o. valve was clutched in death. The eng
is neer had been killed in the Meadow Broo
disaster lie died, however, as only BRAY
meu die at his post of duty, having II
fused to leap from the engine and whe
~ death overlook him his hand was still o
% the throttle
st Few people pursue the art of whistliu
&c with view of lnakingit q means OF ear,
n ing living yet there are quite numb'
u of professional whistlers who make goo
II pay by displaying their proficiency q
20 whistlers on the variety stage. Some q
81 these people show wonderful skill in i'm
lie tating the notes Of different birds