Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-01-12

0% % SsfG9 wheresoever
r. y ~ ss.s 99os' in Ct
" CONVERSE tion
with "all sorts and conditions of men. f"
and it is astonishing what curious and
immense amount one thus gets at OF
odd experiences, minds and information
which never finds its way into any
book lore. Each unit of the great hui
man family, be he ever SO humble and
ignorant, will know something which
another does not, or have had some ex-
perience, however triaing, which
another has not f#sE
You will find, too, II you keep your
eyes, ears and sympathies open, that
under the surface of these so-called
hard prosaic days there lies far more
of romance and dramatic element than
many folks suppose 1t is human ma
ture in it's very essence from its Alpha
to its Omega which occasionally
bursts forth in some grand form that
all the world must need recognize but
is mostly scattered hidden away in
humdrum lives and secret heart
inches. These have to be got at, where
perhaps they are least suspected.
Amongst my many such experiences
and free and easy ''chummings, j re-
member one which may interest you, as
it did me.
Some few years ago l found myself
obliged to wait couple of hours at a
little wayside station for the train that
would take me on to my destination. l
soon noticed tall, powerful-looking
man, about forty-fve to fifty, sitting
on bench at the far end of the plat
form. His dress and whole appearance
told the railway employee.
OF course speedily ranged up along
side and got into chat, and found
that he was an engine driver also
awaiting my trains on his way back
home, after having been called to
London to give some, evidence for the
company in a damage action.
We sat backing the track, but facin g
a long disused coal siding, on which
stood derelict truck. On this was
playing as we talked small country
boy of tender years; but presently the
child climbed down and began to roll
it's ball between the disused metals,
which ended at the truck
Nothing could possibly come from
the main track; the brat was as safe
as at home. yet my new friend startled
me by suddenly breaking off his con-
versation to call out with q sharpness
that belied his kindly face:
''Get out OF the track, at once, boy!
Dye hearP Get outp'
The urchin stared, laughing at what
he thought fun. erm F
me shan't," said he; 'me plays in
dis always
The man sprang into the siding,
snatched up the astonished and now
frightened child, and set him on the
platform with rough push and get
out when you're told, you little beggarl
Get homer
And, as the urchin ran away in ter
ror, the man came back, and almost
dropped on to the bench He was
deadly pale and shaking from head to
foothills fine, strong fellow.
/ felt ut once that there was some
thing more behind this upset, which,
doubtless the trifing incident had re-
called Had the poor fellow had child
killed on the line? But didn't speak.
i only put my hand gently on his arm
for minute in silent sympathy, and in
few moments he recovered himself
with grateful, earnest Thank You,
fam"
Then, after pause, he added, husk.
Ely, with shiver: II beg pardon, but ]
couldn't help it; can't bear to see a
child on the line; never shall again
never no more, b'lieve; the sight of il
just upsets me like as if it was all yes.
terday."
"Yes," ! said, gently, that is tie
way too often after n great shock to
the nervous system. One never quite
gets over it If anything recalls it viv.
idly"
''Just so, ma'am-you take me quite, y
said the engine-driver, with the eager
gladness Of being understood, and OF
having put into words for him the feel
ing he had no language to adequately
express "rll tell you how it was if SC
be you'd care to hear"
"Carel shall be more than pleased
and Interested answered; "that is
if it does not pain you too much to tell
me the story"
mo, no, ma'am, thank We kindly.
feel honored by your being interested.
1t amt much to sound so fur, but tc
newell, there, can't never see q
kid 'twixt them metals again without
making fool of myself, so it's no use
to say can
He paused minute, and some
times looking straight out be.cre him,
sometimes at me, he said:
Well, it happened five years ago OF
thereabouts l was on this line, as
am still-have been these fifteen years,
Do you know the line when it gets up
northwards into Rlanlshire9"