The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1892-05-12
THE NAN IN THE CAB.
A VIEW At CLOSE RANGE OF THE
MEN WHO GUIDE TRAINS.

A VIEW At CLOSE RANGE OF THE
MEN WHO GUIDE TRAINS.
The Cab-what 1t Means to the Ameri-
can Engineer, Though His English
Brother Rides in the Open Air-The
Whistle and Its Individuality.
The average American engineer and
his fireman would think themselves very
i'll used if an order were issued for the
adjustment of the cabs-that friendly
retreat from inclement weather that is
now considered an absolute necessity on
all engines. And yet IN civilized Eng
land, on a majority of the railroads, the
engines in use are built minus the cab,
thus forcing the operators to work with
out shelter in all kinds of weather. It
sounds inhuman, and yet in refutation
the railroad companies ask whether the
soldier should carry an umbrella when
it rains or the sailor be allowed to work
under an awning? The claim Is that the
railroad employees become Injured to Sc
we're weather and the absence Of cover
ing keeps them alert, so that the posi-
bility of danger from inattention to
duty is reduced to q minimum. Subtle
argument, perhaps, but hardly tsnable.
If this practice was adopted on some Of
our western roads where the temperature
ranges from 90 to so dogs. below zero,
how many engineers would live to carry
their trains from one station to the next?
The objectionable sin in an engineer
is to let the water get out of the boiler
of the engine in his charge No matter
what excuse he may offer, If he lives to
make his report in turn, his dismissal
will be peremptory, for by this action
he has proved himself incompetent and
unworthy of future responsibilities. It
is better for an engineer that he had
never been born when he reaches this
stage of self torture. Fortunately such
cases are rare. The man on all well
conducted railroads must have shown
himself to be trusty and true before no
is given charge of an engine, and the
rigid inspection to which he Is sub
iected before an engagement Is guar
antee of future conduct
One weakness nearly every engineer
has, and that is . penchsut for doctor
ing" the steam whistle ON his pet engine
Every boy in q country town familiar
ICES himself at an early age with the
different ''toots" that by day and night
wall through the unhappy village. He
can detect No. As whistle when the train
is FIVE miles distant, and in like manner
the approach of Nos. and are herald
ed to his keen ear. OF course all whis-
ties are alike when they leave the shops,
but the engineer fills in the sounding
bell with a piece of turned wood that
fits snug and changes the tone to ashort,
sharp scream or an angry, impatient
howl, as his fancy may dictate.
The close observer may lie snugly in
his bed and yet be able to detect the
passing of either freight or passenger
train. The engine on the former an
nounces its approach by emitting
sharp, shrill scream that is soul piercing
enough to waken the dead, while the
passenger engine, with due respect tn
the living freight it carries, sounds a
long, deep warning note that does not
bring the occupant of berth to his feet
''all standing" ready to curse the COM
pany in general terms and the engineer
in particular ones for such an act Of
folly and incousiderateness. On the
freight train sharp, shril scream is es-
sential, for it notifies the brakemen, who
are perhaps forty cars in the rear of the
engine and separated from the occupants
of the cab by many ways of ear piercing
sound, just what work is required at
their hands.
This whistle is to them what tho cry
of the call boy on the Thames steamboat
used to be to the engineer down below
before the advent Of electric bells.
Ease herr" the captain would remark
in his ordinary tone of conversation to
the small boy that followed him like
shadow, and Ease her!" the youngster
would scream in his sharp, shril STAG
cato down the companionway. stop
'erT Turn 'er astern!" $50 ahead!"
would perhaps follow in rapid success
sion, and in this decidedly crude fashion
the London steamboat captains did their
steering by proxy only dozen years
ago. One wonders what has become Of
those call boys. Perhaps they spend
their hours in spinning yarns to the
younger cockneys of the past glories of
steamboating in much the same manner
that our dethroned stage drivers Of the
west now regale the tenderfoot with
glimpses of bygone acts of heroism and
feats of impossible Craftsmanship. This
is somewhat of depression from the
topic under discussion, but perhaps the
reader will excuse its insertion. One
thought naturally suggested the other.
As class engineers are usually good
natured, kind hearted, though q bit
rough; deep thinkers, due to their fixed
habits of attention and long hours of
enforced silence, and Of good morals.
An engineer who drinks cannot hope to
hold his position long, for no master me-
chanic will tolerate confirmed tipping
in subordinate whose duties are SO re-
sponsible as those of an engineer. He
must be abstinent, prompt at bis post of
duty, and ever vigilsnt it he hopes to
nnsintain his position. Bis hands may
be black and his face grimy. but that
his hearts, all right was evidenced not
long ago In q railroad terminus On
the Pacific coast when the engine,
putting and laboring from it's dizzy
ride over mountain passed and along
dangerous precipices, was approached
by golden haired miss of SIX, Whs
patted one of the huge driving wheels
caressingly and isping, "You dear, big
black thing, how love you for bring
ing my sweet mamma and papa home to
me from across those horrid mountains,
and you too" she exclaimed, lifting her
Pretty face to the black bearded engin-
eer, who had been watching her from
his cab. The tear that sprang instantly
to his eye was not an evidence Of weak
ness, but of a warm, impassionate heart,
and the father of the little girl that oc-
casioned this touch of human nature
furtively reached for his handkerchief
just as the engineer drew his grimy
sleeve across his sooty face.-Chicago
Horo1H