Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-05-03
THE ENGINEERS STORY
Being an Account of the One Ro-
nance of His Life.


She was a fine engine an NJ. Baldwin
eight-whceled driver, and
loved her as a seaman loves his craft, or
"A turfman hts horse that wins him the
race. had run on the road for three
years, and was perfectly familiar with
the line from one end Ia the other.
About six months previous To the time
OF which write an accident occurred 4
on the r. creek trcstle, ten miles east
OF &. The trestle was six hundred feet .
In length. and the greatest depth was
near the west bank. sixty-two feet.
The station man had fallen from the
trestle after the night train had passed
and from appearances, when found next
morning, had been instantly killed.
The next night after the accident az
was stepping ON the foot board ran
the night express the superintendent
of the road came to me and told me in
few hurried words that he wanted to
place an old man and a young girl on
my engine. and he wished me To make
some pretcxt To stop just at the Il. creek
trcstlc and let them of without letting
the conductor know they had been on
the train. and at the same time he en-
Joined on me perfect secrecy and forbade
me asking any questions whatever.
This strange proceeding ON the part
OF the superintendent puzzled me greatly
He was man OF about fifty years Of
age, and we'll knowna a. "A thorough bust
ness man and one Of unspotted integ-
rity. and by far the largest stakeholder
in the road.
why he should place those parties on
my engine aud desire TO keep 1t u secret
from the conductor. who, like myself,
was only an employc of the company, !
could not for my life imagine.
There was large crowd In the depot
at the time. as is usually the case in
large cities, and he passed the parties
up to me without being observed.
Time was up, the bell rang, and the
train moved out into the darkness.
After trying the gauges and arrang-
ing things about the engine, sat down
opposite my two passengers, and took ~
survey of their persons.
The man was perhaps sixty years old,
hair and beard as white a. snow, broad.
square forehead, sharp gray eyes filled
with energy and an indescribably sad
expression of countenance that bespoke
deep sorrow.
His form was light, yet well-propor-
toned. aud his movements quick and
nervous.
The girl was perhaps sixteen or seven
teen wears of age. with eyes as black as
night. and well-poised head covered
with shining coils OF hair OF the same
sable hue.
She rcsembled the old man in the
general contour of form and feature, and
no doubt they stood in the relation OF
parent and child, and as her face par
took of the same sad expression it was Il
he presumed she was a sharrr Of his sor
rows, whatever they might have been.
As ten miles on an express train. run
ming at full speed. is a short ride, and
knew We we're nearing the T.. creek
trestle, rose to my feet and placed my
hand on tho lever of the throttle-valse
My companion seemed TO understand
the movement perfectly. The old mar
east sharp glance at me and then a
the girl, adjusted his cloak, and peereC
out into the darkness.
| then shut off the steam with ON,
shove of the lever. whistled ''dowr
brakes, and then commenced series
of short sharp toots, as though I,
frightcn some animals of the track.
The train slowed up and in momen
more stood still The conductor jumpe,
ont at one side Of the train, and CAM
forward with his lantern, and my pas
sengers got off at the other.
assisted the girl To alight aud as he
warm hand rested one moment in min
a thrill like that caused by an clectri
machine ran through my veins. sh
pressed ms hand. and left in my gras
. small card which | hastily thrust int
my pocket.
The old man wrung my hand, an
then the two hurried out into the dark
ness.
ran forward on the track; in "a mt
ment turned and came back, met tn
conductor just ahead OF the engine; toll
him thought | saw something ON III
track. but that ali then seemed right.
This satisfied him, and IN momen
more the train was on its way.
We passed slowly over the trestl,
then let on steam. and brought IN
train under such speed that We woul
make time al L.. thirty miles ahead
then took the card from my pocket, an
on Il was penciled, in small, delieat
hand. Mention this TO no one, and
will ho your friend. =
turned the card over and over, bt
this war ALI and could do nothing bt
wonder and surmise with regard 10 III
matter.
| pictured In my mind all sorts
stories and trains % circumstances ths
could have brought such an event abou
but all 70 no purpose
on returning 10 {. the next night
met the superintendent on the platform
He looked Al me in an anxious, inqui
ing manner | knew his meaning. an
nodded thai al was we'll and passe
into the Office
The next week | was much surprise
at receiving almost double pay. whic
wages continued almost as long d
continued ca the road.
Time went on for about six month
and | could get no clpw to the mystery
but invariably kept a sharp lockout a
neared the 4. creek trestlefor wha
reasons I could not tell, as ! certainl
would not expect 70 zee my two forms