Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-10-30

village it was
leaving consisted of few struggling
houses, the homes of the railroad men,
and the road itself was used princi-
pally for the transportation OF cattle
and freight for but few travellers
passed through this wild region.
The distance to Delmane. to which
place they were bound, was q matter
of about twenty-five miles, end Matt
tern arrived there in three hours, in
spite of the darkness and disagreeable
weather. In the early evening o
strong wind had arisen, and till mid
night perfect hurricane ragged. AS
soon as the train arrived at Delmane
the bells gave the signal which told
the employees all along the line that
they could seek their rest, as there
were no night trains running on that
road.
Mattern rested for little while and
then looked after the work he had
been given to do, which occupied him
until about IL o'clock. Leaving the
engine standing with low fire, as he
was to return to the village in six
hours, he gave the fireman permission
to go to the engine house and get a
little sleep. He himself concluded to
seek restaurant that, he had noticed,
was still lighted up. where. perhaps,
he would find congenial company. AS
he was free the next day; he could
sleep then as long as he pleased.
When he came to the station plat
form he met the trsinmaster's assist.
ant, Mr.. Roy, who said to him:
"You have just arrived in time;
was going to send some one to hunt
you up; there is telegram here for
you"
ga telegram for me?" asked Mat
tern, looking surprised. eyes; just
come into the waiting room"
In moment Mattern held the des-
patch in his trembling hands.
Especial! The trainmaster at Del.
name will please inform Engineer
Mattern that his child is seriously i'll
with diphtheria. DR.. Loden is absent
on a journey, and other help not to
be had. Ask Mattern to bring ply
sician from Delmane with him when
he returns early in the morning."
my child-my poor little Charlie -
groaned the father.
"There is nothing you can do but
wait and hope for the best" said Mr..
Roy, philosophically. "Lie down and
try to sleep for few hours. I shall
have to lock up and leave you. Good
night. hope everything will turn
out all right" And with that he went
away.
Out in the darkness stood Mattern /;
the storm ragged, and the rain beat in
his face. Half-past eleven! Was his
boy living yet? Would medical help
be of any avail the next morning |?
Full well did he know the dangerous
character of the illness against which
science has not yet found remedy.
Only by quick and prompt attention
can danger be averted.
After few minutes of deep thought
he suddenly turned and fairly ran to
the house of DR.. Sardo and rang the
bell. The doctor appeared at an open
window above and asked the name of
his caller.
Engineer Mattern," was the an
swer. 'My child has diphtheria and
is in great danger"
DR.. Sardo threw the door-key out
OF the window, saying:
"Open the door and come up; in
the meantime will dress myself"
Matthern felt around in the dark
ness for the keyhole, and few min
utes later stood before the doctor, q
young man, who was comparatively
new in the profession.
"Give me a description of your
child's condition, SO that I can take
the necessary remedies with me; in
diphtheria cases one must use all DOS
sible despatch. You live here in
town."
"No, DOCTOR" answered Mattern ;
and with hurried breath he told his
story.
"You ssy the train does not return
till the morning?" said the doctor
rather impatiently. "Why, then, did
you call me at this time of night
What do you expect me to do in the
meantime2"
''Come with me, doctor!" cried
Mattern, great beads of perspiration
starting out on his forehead. "You
can save my child if you only will.
At the station stands my locomotive
under steam; if you will come with
me / will take you to my home in an
hours time, and my boy will be
saved"
care you mad? Now, at the dead
of night, when everyone is asleep,
without signals or information of any
kind at the stations to be passed, you
intend to run your locomotive for
twenty-five miles! Why, man, at the
first intermediate station we should
Jump the track because the switches
would be turned wrong"
Indeed. doctor, there is no dan
ger, believe me. At all of the stations
the switches will be turned for the
train that is to leave first in the morn
ing, and as that is mine, you need
have no fear about coming with me. u