The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-11-19


leaving consisted OF few straopllpr
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 matter
OF about twenty-five miles, and Mat
tern arrived there in three hours, in
spite of the darkness and dIsagreeable
weather. In the early evening a
= strong wind had arisen, aud till mid
night perfect hurricane RACED. 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, rs 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 ii o'clock. Leaving the
engine standing with low fire, as he
was to return to the village in six
hours, be gave the fireman permission
to so to the engine house aud get n
little sleep. He himself concluded to
seek a restaurant that, lie hud noticed.
was still lighted up, where, perhaps,
he would find cougeniai company. As
he was free the next day, he could
sleep then as long rs he pleased.
When he came to tine station plat
form he met the trainmaster's assist i.
ant, Mr.. Roy, who said to him:
was going to send some one to hunt
you mp; there is telegram here for
you. "
"a telegram for me?" askeI Mat.
tern, looking surprised. Eyes; Just
come into the waiting room"
In moment Mattern held the dc
patch in his trembling hands.
Especial The tranmaster nj Del
name will please inform Engineer
Mattern that his child is seriously i'll
with diphtheria. Dr. Loden is absent
on n journey, and other help not to
be had. Ask Mattern to bring phy.
stefan from Delmane with him when
he returns early in the morning"
My child-my poor little Charlie I"
groaned the father.
"There is nothing you can do but
wait aud hope for the best" said Mr..
Roy, pbilosophicllly. ''Lic down aud
try to sleep Tor n few hours. I shall
have to lock mp and leave You. Good.
night ] hope everything will turn
out NIL right" And with that ne went
away.
Out in the darkness stood Mattcrn
the storm ragged, and tho rain beat i'm
his face. Halt-pnst eleven Was his
boy living yet? Would medical helm
be OF any avail the next morning.
Full we'll did he know tho dangerous
character of the illness against which
science has not yet found n remedy.
Only by quick and prompt attention
can danger be aycrtcd
After IL few minutes Of dccp THOUGHT
nc suddenly turned aud fairly ran TO
the house Of Dr. Sardo aud ran. the
bell. Tho doctor appeared ut an open
window above and asked the name OF
his caller.
Engineer Mattcru,' was the On
swer. "My child has diphthcria and
is in great danger"
DIR. Sardo threw tho door-Key out
OF inc WIN low, saying
"Oocn the door nnI come up; in
tho meantime ! will dress myself"
Matthew felt around ia tho dark
ness for the kcyhole, and few min
utcf later stood before tho doctor,
young man, who was comparatively
now Ia tho profession
"GiyO me description Of your
child's condition, 50 that I can take
the necessary remedies with me; in
diphthcna cases one must use oil pos
siblo despatch. You live here in
town."