Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1892-05-21
THE SUBSTITUTE.

In the railway depot of busy, bust
fng town i'll the southern part of Ohio
locomotive stood painting and snorting as
if impatient to speed away on its jour
ney.
The fireman was giving his last touch
to the brightly polished brass work, whilo
the engineer and the district superintend-
ent stood upon the platform beside the
cab.
Another train had just drawn into
the station and its passengers were
emerging from the cars and hurrying
away. Some of them overheard por-
ton of the conversation that was taking
place between the two men as they passed,
and one, middle aged, welldressed in
.slividual, seemed greatly impressed with
the few words that fell upon his ear, for
ne walked only short distance before he
paused, as if dssirous of hearing more.
There is no use talking, Baxter; you
have got to make the run to might, the
listener heard the superintendent say in
voice that was by no means pleasant.
ut makes no difference to me or to the
stockholders of this road what trouble
YOU may have at home. Your place is
pn this engine, and there you must re-
main or quit the service of the company
altogether.
But, SIR" replied the driver, in a
pleading tone, "do you understand, my
wife is very ill-perhaps dying-a,d
there is no one with her but our two lit
tie children and kind neighbor, who
.an not spend the whole night by her
side"
DO l not tell you there is no one about
ut the present time whom ! can put in
your place ?" returned the official.
There is Sturgis, suggested the other.
He is here in the depot at this moment
"What, that miserable inebriate? He'll
never run a train another mile on this
road ;"
"But, sir, he has not drank drop for
swo months.
THAT is neither here nor there. He is
not qualified to take your place, not even
'or single trip"
ut 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:
Il beg your pardon, gentlemen. Did ]
not hear you say that you wanted to Sc
cure the services of an engineer"
We'll, what if we do?" brusquely
asked the superintendent, looking at the
man in some astonishment.
"Then l should like to offer myself il
II ,-1nli ha ony fion 7 am
an old railroad man, and an experienced
engine driver,
But do not know you" again re.
turned the official. at would be too
much risk to trust this train in the hands
of an utter stranger"
Il have papers that will convince you
that | am competent. and the applicant
drew from the inner breast pocket of his
coat leathern wallet, and took there.
from document, which, however, was
well covered with age, and handed it to
the superintendent.
This has reference to yourself, pre-.
sume, said the official, glancing over it.
But it bears a somewhat antiquated
date.
Very true, and for that reason value
it highly. But if was good man then
must be doubly so now, for I have had
all these years of experience.
You do not know the road"
"Oh, yes, do. sir. Every foot of it. =
"Well, if you can convince me that
you are capable of taking charge of the
locomotive I will let Baxter lay off this
trip" was the reluctant answer.
Then the only way that see to ar
range the matter is for you and your en-,
sincer to take ride in the cab as far a.
-. That is Is miles, and there
YOU can meet the accommodation re
;urning here. think that in that shor;
| run can prove to you that understand
;te business"
Just at that moment the two minute
! bell struck.
well, well, get aboard, and we'll see
what you can do" and the three men
climbed into the cab.