The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-08-07
TAD LINCOLN'S RIDE.

1 had enlisted in 1861 at Rochester,
N. Y, and was firing on New York
Central engine when l quit to be sold
Ter for Uncle Sam. My enlistment papers
showing what my occupation had BEEN
l was soon detailed to run an engine on
little road reaching from Washington
down into Virginia, that was being oper-
ated by the government as far down as
the boys in blue commanded the situa-
ton. At this time made round trip
each day. leaving Washington at IA. NJ,
and arriving in Washington on my re-
turn at 4P. NJ.
One morning, while sat in the cab Of
my engine reading newspaper to pass
the hour or more that would bring us to
our starting time, became conscious,
without paying any particular attention
to them, that gentleman and youth
we're examining my engine, walking
slowly around it. At length my atten-
ton was attracted by a question the
boy put to the man:
Papa. can't we get up on it? Ask the
gentleman. please"
Before he could comply with the boys
request l laid aside my paper and in
vited the two to step up. When they
did 80, noticed that the gentleman was
quite tall. He had to remove his high
silk hat and then stand in slightly
STOPPING position while in the cab. l
noticed from his answers to the ques-
tions with which the boy piled him and
his explanations of different parts Of the
machine that he knew something of the
principle upon which locomotives are
built.
"Oh, papa! do wish l could take a
ride on It,"
mot now, my son. Maybe some day
we may have a chance, then / shall be
glad to let you ride on one of these
great machines in which you take such
an interest"
said: IF you and your son will have
seat over there on the fremen's box I
will be glad to give the young man little
ride. / want to pump her up, anyway"
He thanked me as he and the boy seated
themselves. set the lever. opened the
throttle slightly, and we moved slowly
down the yard, and out to the Washing
ton end of the long bridge across the
Potomac. The gentleman explained to
the boy all of my acts in controlling the
machine and its movements in manner
that showed he knew the locomotive
very we'll.
ooh. papa! l do wish / could take 6
long ride on this engine out in the coun
try. where 1t goes fast. 1t must be CRANE
to be carried away by such big strong
horse"
AS the engine slowly backed once more
into the sheds the gentleman AGAR
thanked me, and as caught the wistfu
look in the boys face l was prompted tt
say:
my run is only three hours out anl
three back, sir. l leave here at ten A
NJ. and return at 4:30 P. NJ. If you art
willing to trust the boy to me, will take
him for the trip here in front of me OF
my seat. The road is safe. We do no
| go into the enemy's country. think
can safely promise to deliver the younf
man to you at this spot at 4:30 this after
noon"
papa. papa. do let me go; it will b.
nice, and 1 know that this gentleman
will see that no harm comes to me. d.
let me go, papa, and don't tell mamml
until get back. l want to surprise he
by telling her all about the trip"
The gentleman could not withstand
his sons pleading. He let him go.
Words fail to tell OF the delight of tina
boy as we sped over the hills and valley
of Virginia. From the questions h
asked, soon discovered he was west
ern boy from the prairie land.
AS the engine pulled and groaned VI
long grade on the return trip. sudden
ly the boy, who sat between my knees
| iOOhou uP lntO my hdC0 anu SAUL
Il have got the very best papa tina
ever lived. Do you know my papaY
mo. my boy, do not; but there wa
something so familiar to me in his ap
pearance that ever since you climbed
into this cab have been trying to thinl
where l have seen your father before
What is his name. anyway"
"Why, he is Abraham Lincoln" re
piled my fellow-traveler
For a moment reeled on my seat il
surprise, but it soon flashed on me tina
the tall man who had placed the chile
in my charge could be no other than thu
president, whom l had only seen as pict
tured in the newspapers.
You may be sure l made a doubly
careful run into Washington when
found that Tad Lincoln, son of the presi
dent, was the little gust had in ny
cab
Another man. suppose white house
servant. met the train on its arrival anc
took the boy away.
The next and last time saw Abraham