Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-05-14
Desperate Undertaking.

Desperate Undertaking.
The bell sounded for the last time
Engineer Mattern kissed his wife
]eaped to his engine, and with shril
whistle the train slowly began to move
The village it was leaving consisted OF
a few struggling houses, the homes OF
railroad men, and the road itself was
used principally for the transportation
OF cattle and freight, for but few trav.
elers passed through this wild region
The distance to Delmane, to which
place they were bound, was matter
OF about twenty-five miles, the Mat
tern arrived there in three hours, in
spite of the darkness and disagreeable
weather. In the early evening a
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 We're no
night trains running on that road.
Mattern rested for a 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 a 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 little Sleep
He himself concluded to seek a res
taurant that, he had fancied, 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 train-master'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 a telegram here for
you
"A telegram for me?" asked Mattern
looking surprised.
Yes; just come into the waiting
ROOM
In a moment Mattern held the dis
patch in his trembling hands.
Special! The train-master at Del
name will please inform Engineer Mat
tern that his child is seriously Ill with
diphtheria. DR. Loden is absent on a
journey, and other help not to be had
Ask Mattern to bring a physician from
Delmane with him when he returns
early in the morning.
my child-my poor little Charlier'
groared 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 d 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 Maj ern
the storm ragged, and the rain beat IL
his face. Half-past eleven Was his
boy living yet? Would medical help
be of any avail the next morning? Full
we'll did he know the dangerous
character of the illness against which
science has not yet found a remedy
Only by quick and prompt attention
can danger be averted.
After few moments 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
the 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 I will dress myself
Mattern felt around in the darkness
for the keyhole, and a few moments
later stood before the doctor, a young
man, who was comparatively new IN
the profession.
Give me a description of your
child's condition, sc that can take the
necessary remedies with me; In diph-
iberia cases one must use all possible
dispatch. You live here in town."
mo, Doctor" answered Mattern:
and with hurried breath he told his
story
you say that the train does not re-
turn 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
meantime?"
Come with me, doctorr' cried Mat
tern, great beads Of perspiration start.
ing out on his forehead. you can
save my child if you only will. Out
at the station stands my locomotive
under steam; if you will come with me
l will take you to my nome in an hours
time, and my boy will be saved
Are you mad? Now, at the dead OF
night, when everyone is asleep, with
out 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 inter-
mediate station we should jump the
track because the switches would be
turned wrong