The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1908-10-01

Illuk Ou earlier scenes OF Ills llIe, MS
early home, or else dwelt on the girl to +
whom he was in a short time to be
How often does thoughts of
those who follow this employment and
who are daily in danger of disaster run
along these lines. Some people say
that All engineers only thoughts are
those of his engine, of his train and OF
the safety of his passengers, of how
their lives depend on his steady nerve
and ever watchful eye, but such is not
the case. OF course these are the fore
most in his mind, but others find en-
trance, the thoughts of his home, wife
and family for whom he is the bread
winner, and to whom he is more pre- I
cious and dear than all the trains in |
the universe.
There are many persons who censure
an engineer for jumping from his en-
gine and thereby saving his own life,
but perhaps causing the loss of. many
others. TO all of US whether engineers
or fremen or whatever occupation we
may follow there comes time when
our lives are placed in jeopardy and
our one thought is self-preservation.
Now, it we were to stop and view the
picture of the home made fatherless
and husbandless by all engineers sac
rifice we would not be so harsh. TO
those who cr!ticise and censure him,
use Charles Reade's words, "Put Your
self in Ills Place." But L am straying
from my story.
AS the fireman climbed back on to
the tender the engineer was heard to
say: "BOb, can we make ScOvil without
stopping for wateri"
~ guess so," was the reply, "got half
tank left and she is steaming like a
beauty"
"Say, Sam" inquired the fireman,
shave you heard how that operator at
Rennie is making out. Last 1 heard
Of him, he was certainly going heavy
on the booze. Some of the boys tried
to get him to straighten up, bnt it
doesn't seem to do any good. He re-
mains sober about week and then
sidetracks the water wagon. | believe
the chief threatened to fire him ii he
didn t straighten up"
"Well, FL tell you, Bob. Al is a fine
fellow and one of the best operators on
the road, but when he starts to liquor
up there is no stopping him, and what
will be the outcome the Lord only
knows. Holmes, of the 1916, was tell
ing me he held him for fifteen minutes
the other day waiting for orders which
he had already received. You know
such thing as that will soon send him
OIL the down grade minus job and a
character, .and all he will get will be q
tie pass. Well, here we are at Scuvil
see if we can make quick spot and
take water and get right out; orders
are clear to Rrnnle, SO hustle up"
"Say, SAM" inquired his fireman
"do you suppose we will be held q,
} Rennie for number onep Has she gO1
any time on her after leaving Rennie ?
"Number one is four hours late: gOl
time on her to Rennie," was the reply
No. one was the fast transcontinenta
and 768 was running on her time tC
Rennie. Midst grinding of brakes
and the sound of Kissing steam 76s
pulled into Rennie forty-five minutes
after leaving Scovil. "Well, how il
t our orders?" sang the voice of Billy
the conductor as he darts into the sta
ton.
"You have got clear track Letweer
mere and Kisby."
"How is that ?" asks the conductor
!. "Where Is number one!"
"She is stalled down the line, brOk,
r driver" was the reply of the operator
;, "WeIl let me see those ORDERS" de
Q manded the engineer. The order
e were "the right over all trains between
j. Rennie and Kenora." ave may jus
as we'll pull out" saio the engineer"
y "All right" said the conductor. "Bu
y between you and me, Sam, don't fee
!. quito right over these orders. l woul,
O be better satisfied if number one wa
s by. Somehow l feel as if something
It was going to happen. ! never felt thi
# way before"
d "Nonsense." replied the engineer
It "it is your indigestion, Billy, that