Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-12-26
MADMADDEN, THE ENGINEER

Nhat IS fOotplAte Z you say. Inc
question has been asked me many time.
The footplate is what we stand on-the
iron plate which forms the platform OF
the engine, and which is connected TO the
tender by hinged flap; for between the
engine and tender there is small space
in which it would be very awkward to
catch ones foot. On tank" engines
there is no tender; so it's pretty level.
No, life on the footplate is not by any
means so bad if man likes his work.
That's where it is II you don't care foi
your work-why it's all the same if it's
engine driving, or clerking, or sweeping
a crossing, or standing pointsman, or any
thing. I'm fond OF driving-always was
when ! was youngster, 4 year old, !
was as fond of trains as my father, who
was a clerk and didn't hardly know the
"big end" from the "lever." But he was
fond of engines, and don't care who tho
man is, give me chap who will ex-
anime an engine and take an interest in
it, and he's a man-ay, and gentleman.
Foolish! Yes, suppose l am; but
you're fond Of dogs, and cats, and why
not engines? Can any dog or horse ever
run a match with a locomotive? Rub.
bishl Is it? Ones alive and the other
isn't Is it? Which? Do you think en-
gines don't understand yer Look here;
I'll put you on my engine, and I'll bet
We won't make her do what can, good
man as ye may be. Why, because we
understand one another. / know wha'
she can do. and she does it. That's one
sided, is it2 Well it's on my side, think.
Very coldf No. not over much. When
it's regular winter, and we're running
tender foremost, then it's cold. My
But even the other way it's bad OF
snowy nights. Rain don't count, but
the snow clogs the weatherboard glass,
and the steam condenses and freezes on
us. It's no joke looking ahead on
snowy night, nor in a fog, nor in
thunder storm when the lightning is
playing around the bright handles as
I've seen it do. But I've escaped it all,
and worse.
Worse-oh, 20 times worse! OF course
wasn't born driver-not turned out
ready made for fighting as the young
woman in the old story was out OF
somebody's head. How people could
write such bosh l can't think. No,
was a cleaner and had a rough time; fire
lighter, too-and I've known lads to go
to sleep in the furnace and been found
burned dead when the fire was lighted in
the gray of the morning.
From cleaner got to firing in the yard,
and to freight traffic. Then got firing
for passenger trains, and my mate was
Madden Madden" they called
him--a sulky chap, but a very good
driver. Rather risky sometimes. too
but he always was quiet, kept fair time,
and no one but me suspected him.
Drinka No, he never drank much not
to speak Of But, let me tell you, many
a man will keep his time better for a
glass of ale. 1t hardens him like, and
he feels himself, so to say. pluckier. But
a drinking driver is thing; he amt o
man. No man is fit to drive who gets
tipsy; but I've known some such engine.
men.
Well, about Madden. He was queer.
But one night in particular / remember
young gentleman had "pass" to run
with us. He was good young fellow
fond of the engine; knew what he was
about, too; and l have reason to know
it. His name was Firth. He came up
that evening, and said he had his pass.
Madden said nothing at all, but bade
him good evening. We knew him well
enough. He was wrapped up in pea.
jacket, with comforter, like one of us:
and when he asked again Madden re.
marked:
~Ye can come up if We want to, and
took no notice.
watched him His eyes were rest.
less, and uncommon bright looking.
This is the mail. isn't it," asked the
young man for something to say.
%Ay,p replied Madden, ats the mail:
and it runs hundred miles an hour
laughed; so did the young gentle
man; but didn't like Madden's man
ner 1t was time to couple on, so we
ran out from the siding and backed
down on the train, Madden, Of course.
driving.
Gently, mate, said; ~we'lI be into
her
Madden still said nothing. so shut Of
the steam and screwed down the brake.
We had no steambrakes or WeSting
houses in those days. No, sir.
~Slove the lever over, sir, said tc
the young gentleman; well be into heI
if We don't"
He did, and checked her with ths
steam ever so little, which isn't alway,
desirable. But he did it neat enough.
As it was, we came with fairish bump
upon the buffers, and the engine bounded
away Bit But the inspector didn't say
nothing to us, and 30 it wasn't any odds.
though ! suspect we shook up the pas
sengers.
Madden only laughed and looked at the
steam gauge, and as | changed ove'