Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-05-17
Old
'Ninety-Seven

Every day at Just such an hour the
old man entered the yard and walked
slowly up and down among the en-
gines, lingering longest around old
49," the huge, high-smokestacked 10
connective, still on duty, but soon to be
retired and devoted to a most inglori
GUS end by means of q sham coils
ion
A few Of the blue-jeaned heroes
around the depot objected more or less
vigorously to the presence Of the
stranger, for it is a dangerous place
for the nimble and quickeyed, and the
old man was half blind, and his ears
were closed to even the shrill whistle
OF the trains. But some Of the men
remembered that the bent and feeble
veteran was an old engineer, the old
est on the road, and "97" had been
for years dearer to him than wife, or
child, or friend.
Al Reece had kept his post until five
years before, carefully concealing from
the argus-eyed inspectors the fact Of
his partial blindness and infrmity. He
had been an engineer for so years. 1t
is matter of history that he took the
first train over the road, and "97'' was
his second love. The first be had
gone over a bridge with, after feeling
her heart beats culver through his
own breast and feeling her response
to his every desire for 20 years.
It's strange thing how a man gets
to love a creature Of iron and steel.
There wasn't an engine along the d.
vision kept in better shape than "97."
New styles were adopted, and all the
late inventions came in, but the "old
girl" kept her place, and AL Reece kept
her in it by his care.
The old-fashioned brass mountings
were as bright as the day they were
fitted on, and there wasn't speck or
q bit Of dust about her anywhere.
But as time passed on the men be-
gan to look half pityingly at the old
engineer and whisper that perhaps he
would have to be retired before "97'
vas called In.
Why, he can't see foot in front
Of him." said one of the young fel-
lows, land it's a mighty risk to let q
blind man run an engine!"
The same thought was moving the
directors, for they could no longer ig.
more the fact of his condition. But
those who believe corporations have
no souls might have learned much If
they had witnessed the scene in the
superintendent Office when old AL.
Reece was pensioned and discharged.
The news had been broken to him
by man who looked at the bowed fig.
ure 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 a
son might have done.
The old engineer lifted his eyes, full
of the piteous look the blind have, to
his face.
my trips about over, anyway" he
said, IAN l don't want to slow up at
the terminal on old ST. But it's all
right, sir, it's all right. l might have
had some accident on account Of my
eyes an have carried on the folks
that want ready for the last station.
But / don't believe l would. really
didn't need to see with her. She was
eyes for me; and she had too much
sense to 60 wrong.
There's jest one favor | want to
ask, sir: Have 'em let me though the
gates whenever she's In from her trips.
It'll be comfort to Us both, sir"
For long time, the engine, under q
strong, young hand, kept her regular
runs. But she got fractions and
cranky, and was finally used only In
the yards. Old AL never missed his
visit to her, though he grew feebler
all the time, and seemed to mourn
over her changed and neglected ap-
pearance.
One day as he leaned against her
dull sides, patting her and talking
Of the days they had passed togeth-
er, a young switchman, new In the
yards and ignorant, stepped up to
him.
This is the last day for old ST.
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 of the upper bridge. Two
trainloads comm from Newton to see
it. And therell be fireworks and a
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. It'll be a big show
She'll have steam up an be sent wild
Starts at nine, II 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, aD(
the dim eyes burned with a strangI
light. } e''if
She's ready now" said the director
an hour later to a group Of trainmen
who had been stoking up the old en-
lgine, and hanging her sides with gay
| tly covered hannera 'sThis N her lag