Montgomery County sentinel., 1891-08-14
MiscellamenMs.
THE SUBSTITUTE.

In the railway depot of busy, bust
ling town in the southern part of Ohio
locomotive stood painting and snorting
as if impatient to speed away on its
journey.
The fireman was giving his last touch
to the brightly polished brass work,
while the engineer and the district super
intendent stood upon the platform beside
the cab.
Another train had just drawn into the
station and its passengers were emerg-
ing from the cars and hurrying away.
Some of them overheard portion Of
the conversation that was taking place
between the two men as they passed,
and one, a middle-agcd, well-dressed ia.
dividual, seemed greatly impressed with
the few words that fell upon his ear, for
he walked only short distance before
he passed, as it desrous of hearing more.
"There is no use in talking, Baxter,
you have got to make the run tonight, "
the listener hard the superintendent say
in voice that was by no means pleas
ant. at makes no difference TO me or
to the stockholders of this road what
trouble you may have at home. Your
place is on this engine, and there you
must remain or else quit the service Of
the comnany altogether
''But, sir, replied the driver, ID a
pleading tone, .'do you understand, my
wife is very ill-pcrhaps dying-and
there is no one with her but our two
little children aud kind noighbor, who
cannot spend the whole night by her
side"
"Do l not tell you there is no one
about at the present time whom | can
put in your place p returned the official.
There is Sturgis," suggested the other.
"He is here in the depot at this mo.
ment."
"What, that miserable inobriate He
never'll run train another mile on this
road"
"But, sir, he has not drank drop
for two months"
"That is neither here nor there, lie
is not qualified to take your place, not
even for trip"
at is hard. very hard" murmured
the engineer as he turned away, and
was about to mount to his seat in the
cab when the stranger, who had loitered
near, stepped up saying:
II beg your pardon, gentlemen. Did
| not hear you say that you wanted to
secure the services Of IN engineer ."
"Well, whit if we do Z" brusquely
asked the superintendent, looking at the
man in some asionisbment. aar.
'Then | should like to offer myself If
it would be any accommodation. | am
an old railroad man, and an expert
enced engine driver"
But | do not know you," again re-
turned the official. 1T would be too
much risk to trust this train in the
hands of an utter stranger"
81 have papers that will convince you
| am competent" and the applicant
withdrew from the inner breast pocket
Of his coat leathern wallet, and took
thercfrom document, which, however,
was well covered with age, and handed
it to the superintendent ri
"This has reference to yourself, |
presume said the official, glancing over
it. "But it bears somewhat anti
qlated date"
Every true, and for that reason /
value it highly. But if | was good
man then | am doubly so now, for |
have had all those years of experience. "
"You do not know the road"
"Oh, yes do, sir. Every foot of
it,"
"Well. if you eau convince inc that
you are capable Of taking charge Of the
locomotive will let Baxter lay off this
trip" was the reluctant answer
Then the only way that ! see to
arrange the matter 10 for, you and your
engineer to take a ride in the cab as
far as L. That is fifteen miles,
and there you can meet the accommoda-
ton returning here. | think that in
that short run can prove to you that |
understand the business. " ~ u arg q 1
just at that instant the two.minute
bell struck.
swell, we'll, get aboard, and we'll
see what you can do" and the three
men climbed into the cab.
"You must lend me your overalls and
jumper" said the stranger to the en-
gineer, "for do not care TO spoil
good suit Of clothes"
UOb eertainlv - ronlied Raxter who