Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-01-15
THE RED LIGHT.

Two years ago I had qualified as stok-
er, and, together with the engineer,
Hausler, ran the Berlin-Vienna express
on the Berlin -Falkenberg division. Our
train left the Central station at 5 80 in
the afternoon, and on that particular
day Twas in the roundhouse at 8 O'Clock
to see that the fires were good and every
thing in running order. According to
rules, the engineer had to be in the
roundhouse an hour before the departure
of the train, and usually Hausler COM
piled with the greatest punctuality.
Nevertheless, today it was quarter to 5
and still he had not come. I tried the
sandbox, the two steam pumps that
force the water from the tender into the
boiler, and saw diligently to the fire,
which required to be in the best possible
condition if we were to make the re-
quired run Of 81 minutes in the given
time. We could not allow ourselves full
speed until we had passed the station
Grosz-L -Lichterfelde. Then there were
still almost 81 miles in stretch, and
only at the larger stations through which
we passed was it. necessary to slacken
our speed.
1t was nearing 5, and still no sign Of
Hausler. l had come to the conclusion
that he was ill or that some accident
had happened to him. and was just on
the point of going to the superintendent
of the locomotive house and reporting
the case to him when I saw Hausler ap-
preaching in considerable haste. He gave
me hasty nod and merely asked if ev-
erything were ready. Then he mounted
the locomotive and tried all the valves
for himself but, while at other times he
made this most important inspection Of
the locomotive with great care, today he
did it hastily and with lack of atten-
tion. In the midst of his inspection he
stopped suddenly and seated himself
upon the tool chest which is attached to
the tender. For good five minutes he
sat staring blankly before him; then he
laughed outright and asked me again,
SIS everything ready, MAXI"
"Of course, Herr Hausler," Ireplied.
"It's about time we ran out Of the shed.
for we have to push couple Of locomo-
tives out Of the way before we get
clear track to the depot.
"Yes, yes, returned Hausler hurried
ly, then rose and went to his post. II /
had not known that he was remarka-
bly, abstemious man, I should almost
have thought he had drunk too much,
but that our conscientious Hausler
should come on duty with his brain be-
logged was inconceivable. We ran out
of the roundhouse quite slowly, made
our way carefully between the locomo-
tives, and, according to orders, stood
outside the depot at ten minutes before
the train was to start, not having cou-
pied as yet. We had good head Of
steam, and all the valves let off the su-
perhuous vapor.
.''.How is your wife?" I asked, to
rouse Hausler from his lethargy.
"My wife?" he asked, with a start.
"She is very we'll, very well-she knows
of nothing yet.
Has something unpleasant happened
to you, Herr Hausler?"
Unpleasant to me? No; 7 know of
nothing. Did I say anything? It was
only way I have of talking, and my
wife must not know about it. I"
Two great tears rolled down his
cheeks, but he turned quickly away to
hide his sobs from me. was at loss
ito understand his behavior; but, after
few seconds, he turned to me again and
his face was calm, even sinister.
Don't you feel well?" asked.
"Oh, yes," he answered hastily, "I
am very well, very we'll indeed"
The three strokes of the bell an
nounced the time for departure. The
twice repeaded signal of the conductor
gave us the order to start. Hausler woke
out Of his revery, gave the whistle Of
response, and then, as deftly as ever, he
set the train in motion.
Unless some accident should occur we
would make our 81 minutes. It was ex-
actly 2 :01 when we at last pulled up in
Herzberg, and punctually at O'Clock
II minutes, we steamed into Falken-
berg. We were uncoupled and ran upon
a side track. Four minutes later the
train sped on its way. We ran our loco.
motive first to the water crane and filled
for the return trip. Then we took in
coal and ran upon the turntable to be set
right for the home run. Lastly, we ran
across on siding, and after Hausler
had fulfilled his duties as engineer b.
went into the engineers house to rest a
bit. l had to stay upon the engine, but
could take little turn off for relaxa.
tion,1 thanks to the polisher. The fire in
the boiler was kept low, SO that it did
not 60 out and could be brought to full
heat half hour before starting. The
machine could not run away, for it stood
on "dead" track and the pressure of
steam was lowered SO quickly that 1 was
safe in leaving 1t to the care of the pol
Usher. 1t was an hour after our arrival
when Iwent into the engineers quarters
and hunted up Hausler in the large
waiting room. The engineers' room In
Falkenberg is fitted up with tables,
chairs and some sleeping couches. There
Is small library at hand from which
one can inform himself by various tech
nical works, and Hausler formerly made
use of this library to study different
treatises Oh locomotive construction, the
science of mechanics and go M,