Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-06-20

mother"
She heard and waved her hand. And then
Engineer Robinson pulled him to look at
some roasted chestnuts the train pitcher had
sent up for him.
1t was a wonderful ride for the boy, who
never ceased TO wonder at the proud old en-
gine and its magnificent strength.
But for all the pleasure and freedom there
was a shadow all day on the boyish face,
which neither the good things nor the wonder
ful stories which Engineer Robinson brought
to his entertainment could quite dispel.
He would climb up to the engineers velvet
cushion and lean his elbows ON the window
sill, and, dropping his cheek into his hand,
fall to dreaming while he watched the clouds
or the trees fitting by.
Once the train stopped to wait for delay
ed freight, and the engineer spoke to the boy
sitting silent at the window.
''Hello, Jackt" he said. you're not asleep
are youl Engineers can't sleep, sir; remem-
Der That. Whatever other folks may do, he's
got to keep his eyes OPEN"
Jacks eyes filled as he looked at his old
friend.
"Yes, sir, he said, 'that's just What father
used to say"
Engineer Robinson turned TO look out at the
treacherous track along which poor Jack Con-
nor had travelled to eternity.
The boy at the other window.
Young Jack talked on; softly, but dis
tinctly.
"And father said, the night they brought
him home, sir, he said: Every man may
jump but the engineer-the engineer must
stick TO the engine And he said, father said,
away off it seemed to me, like you try to
| speak when the steam's a-sizzing, sir; he said:
Stick to the engine, and stand by your moth
| or, jack And I've been a-thinking Mr..
Robinson"-the engineer leaned further out,
the sleeve Of his blue overalls brushed his face,
| while Jack talked on-"I've been a-thinking
all day as maybe ought not to have left her
| by herself whole day"
| The engineer answered without turning his
head:
"Oh, she's all right Jack; she's safe"
"But you know what father said. Stand
| by your mother, jack and here l am away
| off on your engine, sir"
The delayed freight ratified by twenty min
| utes late the fireman threw in some coal, the
steam began to puff and No. sped on its
way.
| The wind, could it have spoken, must have
| carried strange stories of what it saw and
heard in its passage through the engine
| box that day. Strange stories of rough
| forms ana gentle hearts, gruff voices and
| tender words, bearded chin and childish
| cheek pressed together in sympathy and love-
No. q drew up on time at Antioch, $40. A
| door flew open as the whistle sounded four
times, as If to say, "Here am, mother"
A little form was lowered from the engine
and went flying through the mist and fog to-
wards the lighted doorway. AS the train
pulled out Engineer Robinson leaned from
| his window.
Here ain, mother" the joyful greeting
rang out, and the engineer saw Jack go
straight into the arms opened to receive him.
II am coming, mother" that became "A
very familiar cry among the nearest neigh
bors And more than one eye filed up
and ran over as little Jack Connor's voice,
thrilling and hopeful, rang out on the frosty
air of a winters morning.
One evening he was late returning from an
errand upon which his mother had sent him.
The clouds were heavy as if they might hold
snow.
| Mrs. Conner knew that Jack would be cold
and tired when he returned, SO she took his
basket and went out to the woodpile.
an gather the chips" she said, land save
| him that much work.
But she had scarcely begun her task when
Jack came painting up the hill.
"Why, mother" he called, "didnt you
know was comingP'
He expected her to lean upon him; as he
grew older the feeling grew, and he was al
ways disappointed If she failed to do so.
One morning she went out to her milking,
and strange dog met her and sprang upon
her.
Scarcely knowing what she did, she threw
the milking pail at him and screamed for
Jack
He came with bound, seizing club as
he passed the woodpile.
"Im coming, mother" Old Peter Glass
passing near heard Jacks cry and ran down
to see what was the matter. There he stood
between his mother and the ferocious mad
beast, hourishing his club and bidding the dog
begone.
Pete relieved the loyal little fellow by kill
ing the dog, which, he afterwards declared to
his wife, was ''raving mad"
"But mad or not, he added, sit wouldn't
a-hindered that boys pitching right in to
fight for his nanny. 1t always brings the
tears to my eyes somehow when come in con-
tact with that manful little chap of Jack Con
nor's"
Peter Glass was not the only one whose
heart softened for Jack Connor's son. Aye,
many an eye wept and many heart bled
for him when the little fellow ceased to APP
pear on the hill above the railroad track.
Some lives there are that seem to run amid
perpetual sunshine and rose. Some are
rounded to darker lines, and run always be-
side the deeper abysses Of tragedy.
1t was June, glad, sunshiny June, when
Jacks mother went one morning to call on a
sick friend and old neighbor at the station
Just above Antioch.
Jack thought he had never seen SO fair a
day-the sun shone, the birds sang, and the
flowers were everywhere.
"You can come TO meet me at ~ o'clock
Jack" his mother said, as she kissed h
cheek am be sure to come on that train
unless something happens"
an be here, mother" said Jack, ito every
train until you Gomez
The sun still shone when the train came in
at noon. Jack thought the whistle sounded
mournful, somehow And the engine slowed
up" sooner than usual, so that the train came
in slow and solemn like.
And the telegraph operator had laid his
hand in a very gentle way on the boys head
as he hurried past him. And Engineer Rob
inson never once looked out to speak to him.
The fireman, too, turned his face the other
way and was busy with his shovel The
brakeman leaned on his brake and never lifted
his eyes as the cars pulled up. Jack thought
it all very strange.
Here am, mother"
The conductor cleared his throat when the
well known welcome rang through the train.
Passengers turned from the windows and put