The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-11-27
A " BLASTED FOOL"
Thankful That Ho Was Told So
and Made to SEQ It.

Snow, don't go, Wilson, please don't.
You know how much have done for
you, and your father has tried hard,
too"
"Oh, you've done enough returned
the young man, petulantly; but it's
no use talking, mother, I'm off this
time, sure. I'm tired to death of this
humdruln life. I've got to get out ana
sec the world and be somebody" and
he stamped on the kitchen floor as he
said it. II don't want to be farmer,
and there's no use trying to force me
to it Now, mother, you needn't cry,
1t won't do any good, I'm going, and
I'll get good chance to learn and soon
be good engineer, and I'll run down
to sec you often" he added as he
glanced at his mothers face.
you may not live to see me even
once more. You don't think OF the
dangers" There, now, mother, you
needn't read that chapter to me again.
know it all by heart. Heard it till
I'm sick of it. I'm not certain I'll live
always, of course, but don't get scared
before you're hurt. can't be killed but
once, even if the worst comes. Good
byv and he hurricdly kissed his
mother and turned from her sorrowful
face to more attractive scenes. Mrs.
Stuart went about her work that fore
noon with many Il sigh. Her heart
was very heavy, and at times the
scalding tears flowed in spite of her
efforts to restrain them, and she could
not work. At dinner she broke down
entirely. and as soon as the others had
begun eating, left the room.
Il s'posc Wilson's been talllin' about
bein' engineer again, has hc?' asked
Mr.. Stuart. half an hour later.
Its more than talk this time, father,
he's gone"
''Gonc whcrc?'
"Why, gone to D. to begin"
tut, tut! He can't run an engine!
Who'd give him an engine to run? He
didn't tell me anything about it this
morning You needn't be scared. Hes
Just gone to town and will be back
some time in the night, like common"
mo, father, he's gone. Didn't he see
You before he left? Oh dear! ! fixed
his clothes, but he wouldn't take any
thing hardly" and then the poor woman
broke out alreah.
We'll, we'll" said Stuart, testify, eff
that's the way he's Goin' to act after
alps lccn done for him, let him 60"
He wanted to say moro, but, out OF defer
rncc to his wife's feelings, restrained
himself. Hell be back in the Inornin',
though, you'll see" and he went to his
work
That was long afternoon at the
farm The next day came, and the
next, and dragged their weary hours
away, and Mr.. Stuart was obliged to
give it up. His bog was gone.
Three days later two mon walked leis-
urCly along the streets of Il large city.
They were jGst lca1 ing one Of the great
railway ccutrrs, and were talking earn
ostly. One of them, of massive build,
bright, piercing eyes and rcsolute man.
ner, appeared to lead the conversation.
Eyes," he said, its lucky for you that
you run across me or you wouldn't
have got to see what you've seen this
mornin BY ycrsclf, now, yc wouldn't
have found out much in the shops nur
round houses and like as not wouldn't
have been seen at all in the Offices"
I'm ever so much obliged to you for
your kindness in going with me-" re-
piled the other 81 shall never forget
the interest you have taken in me, and
the freedom with which you answered
my questions, and showed me the en-
gines, and even allowed nc to ride a
short distance with you on your Old
tlo,,Cr1, hot
see Mr.. Rothermcl right now," and
the speaker faced about and stood look
ing at the shops and Offices from which
they had come, and listened to the
ringing of bells and the screaming of
whistles in the distance. He was fas-
cinated with the scene before him, and
proud of the opportunity which the
friendship of his companion had afford
ed to inspect in detail the works upon
which he looked. SO frank had been
the manner of his new friend during
the past thirty-siX hours which they
had been together, and so entertain
ingly had he recited to him many of
his experiences on the road, in addition
to the readiness with which he showed
him the cOmpany'S works and intro
duccd him to the men, that the young
mans confidence was completely won.
at will be all right, though, am sure,
from what you say" he went on, and
1 can go on with you as soon as there
is a vacancy. 1 hope that won't be
long, for I'm on expenses and must
find some other work until them" and
he turned to follow his friend who led
the way into small park where the
two were soon seated. The older man
seemed thoughtful awhile and then
turning resolutely to the other asked: