The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-01-11


glided smoothly out, he leaned from
the window. Good by, mother"
She heard and waved her hand.
And then Engineer Robinson pulled
him back TO look at some roasted
chestnuts the train butcher" had sent
up to him.
IG was a marvellous ride to the boy,
who never ceased { O wonder at the
proud old engine and it's magnificent
strength. But for ell the pleasure and
freedom, there was a shadow all day
on the boyish face, which neither the
good things nor the woderful stories
which Engineer Robinson brought to
his entertainment could quite dispel.
He would climb up to the engineers
velvet cushion and lean his elbow on
the window sill, and dropping his
c0sek into his hand, fell to dreaming
while he watched the clouds or the
trees fitting by.
Once the train stopped to wait for a
delayed freight, and the engineer spoke
TO the boy, sitting silent at the win
dow.
"Hellol Jack" he said, you're not
asleep, are you9 An engineer can't
sleep. sir; remember that, Whatever
other folks may 90, he's got to keep
his eyes open"
Jacks eyes filed as he looked at his
old friend.
Yes. sir" he said, "that's just what
father used to say"
Engineer Robinson turned to look
out at the other window, down the
track-the straight, trescherous track
along which poor Jack Conner had
travelled TO eternity.
Young Jack talked on, softly but dis
tinctly3 'And father said, the night
they brought him home, sir, he said:
Every man may jump but the engin
eer-the engineer must stick to the en-
gine.' Aud he said, father said, away
IF it seemed to me, like you try to
speak when the steam's a sizzin, sir /;
ne said: Stick to the engine and stand
by your mother, jack And I've been
a thinking, Mr.. Robinson, THE en-
gineer leaned farther out, the sleeve OF
his blue ~overalls brushed his face,
while Jack talked on,-"I've been a.
thinking all day as maybe / ought not
to have left her by herself a whole
day"
The engineer answered, without
turning his head:
"Oh, she's all right, Jack she's safe. "
But you know what father said.
Stand by your mother, jack and
here I am away eff on your engine,
SIR"
The delayed freight ratified by TWEEN
ty minutes late the fireman threw in
some coal, the steam began to puff,
and No. 6 sped on it's way.
The wind, could it have spoken,
must have carried strange stories OF
what it saw and heard in it's passage
through the engine box that day
strange stories Of rough forms and gen
tie hearts, gruf voices and tender
words bearded chin and childish cheek
pressed together in sympathy and
love.
No, 6 drew up on time at Antioch,
5 10. A door few open as the whistle
sounded four times, az if it said, Her
/ am, mother"
A little form was lowered from the
engine and went Aging through the
mist and fog towards the lighted door
way. AS the train pulled out Engineer
Robinson leaned from his window.
Here I am, MOTHER" the joyful
greeting rang out, and the engineer
saw Jack go straight into the arms
opened to receive him.
"Rere I am, mother, that became
a very familiar cry among the nearest
neighbors; and more than one eye filed
up and ran over as little Jack Oonnor's
voice, thrilling and hopeful, rang out
on the frosty air of a winters morning.
One evening he was late returning
from an errand upon which his mother
had sent him. the clouds were heavy,
as if they might hold snow.
Mrs. Conner knew that Jack would
be cold and tired when he returned, 80
she took his basket and wen out to the
woodpile.
I'm gather the chips, she said, land
save him that much work"
But she had scarcely begun her task
when Jack came painting MP the hill.
why, mother" he called, "didn't
you know I was comingG"
He expected her to lean upon him
as he grew older the feeling grew, and