The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1912-06-13
Old
'Nirlety-Seven

"97, the huge, igh-smoke-stacked /,
| connective, still on duty, but soon to b
| retired and devoted to a most inglor
Gus end by means OF a sham COLI
| lon
| A few Of the blue-jeaned heroe
around the depot objected more OR les
| vigorously to the presence of Il
| stranger, for it is dangerous pla1'
for the nimble and quick-eyed, and Il
old man was half blind, AID his ca
were closed TO even the shrill whist
of the trains. But some OF the me-
remembered that the bent and feeb
| veteran was an old engineer, the oil
est on the road, and "97" had bet
for years dearer to him than wife. =
child, or friend.
Al Reece had kept his post until Fl,
Years before, carefully concealing fro
| the argus-eyed inspectors the fact {
his partial blindness and intirmity Il
had been an engineer for 50 years
| is matter OF history that he took tn,
first train over the road, and "97'' wa
lis second love. The first he ha
gone over a bridge with, after feelin
Ter heart beats culver through hi
own breast and feeling her respons
TO his every desire for 20 years.
It's strange thing how man get
J to love creature of iron and steel
There wasn't an engine along the di
vision kept in better shape than ''97.'
New styles were adopted, and all the
late inventions came in, but the "olt
girl kept her place, and Al Reece KEEP
her in it by his care.
The old-fashiored brass mountings
were as bright as the day they were
fitted on, and there wasn't a speck OF
bit of dust about her anywhere.
But as time passed on the men be
gan to look half pityingly at the ole
engineer and whisper that perhaps b
! would have to be retired before "97'
was called in.
Why, he can't see foot in from;
of him." said one Of the young fe.
lows, land it's mighty risk to let d
blind man run an engine!"
The same thought was moving the
directors, for they could no longer ig
core the fact of his condition But
those who believe corporations have
no souls might have learned much il
they had witnessed the scene in the
superintendent's Office when old Al
Reece was pensiOned and discharged.
The news had been broken to him
by man who looked at the bowed fig
pre with manly tears and at the con-
clusion of the interview had taken the
toil-worn hand, that had held the lever
for so many years. in his own as e
son might have done.
| The old engineer lifted his eyes, full
Of the piteous look the blind have, t,
his face.
MY trips about over, anyway" he
said, "an' l don't want to slow up a:
the terminal on old '97.' But it's al
right, sir, it's all right 1 might have
had some accident On account of my
eyes an have carried on the folk.
that want ready for the last station
But l don't believe I would. l reall
didn't need to see with her. She wa
eyes for me; and she had too niue
sense to go wrong.
There's jest one favor l want t
ask, sir: Have 'em let me though tn
gates whenever she's in from her trips
It'll be a comfort to US both, sir"
For long time, the engine, under !;
strong, young hand, kept her regula
runs. But she got fractions ant
cranky, and was finally used only il
the yards. Old AL never missed his
visit to her, though he grew feeblel
all the time, and seemed to mourn
over her changed and neglected ap
pearance.
One day as he leaned against hel
dull sides, patting her and talking
of the days they had passed togeth
er, young switchman, new in the
yards and ignorant, stepped up t.
him.
This is the last day for old 81
! he called into the dull ears. some
showmen have bought her, an they're
going to take her down on the siding
an run her off the upper bridge. Two
| trainloads comm from Newton to see
it. And tlere'll be fireworks and q
great sight"
The old man put his hand to his
throat and leaned more heavily against
the condemned engine. The young fel
low continued.
Better be here. Is'il be big show
She'll have steam up an be sent wild
Starts at nins, if it's pretty dark"
He went whistling away to set the
switch for the eight o'clock flyer, ant
the old engineer was left alone. Blu
q flush was on the furrowed face, ant
the dim eyes burned with a strang,
light.
She's ready now" said the director
an hour later to group of trainmen
who had been stocking up the old er
CINE, and hanging her sides with ga.
ly covered banners. "This is her las
trip, let her go!"
He threw rhe throttle wide, and
the engine bounded with mighty les
toward the grades incline leaped on
to ground. A great crowd gathert
along the siding greeting the wild
! CINE with a cheer, which speed
turned into a yell Of horror; for as t.
painting thing madly rushed iowa
~, k~sd~1 xhn-