Norwich bulletin., 1913-01-25
ewritten Specially for The Builetin.)


 Those of us who have always lived within hearing of the various whistles and bells in the vicinity fail some times to realize how dependent we ars upon them for telling us the time. and how we should miss them were we beyond their reach. One wakes in the night to wonder what time it is. The clock which strikes the half hour tells nothing. for 1t only sets one pug zlina ss to what half hour it may be.
 Rsit shark! there is g long freiGht train going by. They used always to whistle, but now must be quiet till people who were annoyed by the sound of the whistle.
 I once heard an engineers wife la ment the enforcing of that ordinances, the dead silence of night, for it seemed like her husbands voice calling out to her in the darkness:
 T am here at my job, and all is well"
 Waking again towards daybreak, we hear the factory bell ringing and turn over comfortably for another nap with thought of pity for those who can not have the same privilege
 Wondering later in the day if it be time to begin the noon tide meal we hear the angelus ring, and need no clock to tell us the hour. There are aration of the dinner, and we hear the children going home from school, oR see the postman making his rounds and know the time as well as if the
 The farmers at work in the fields know the time of day by the sun.
 The average boy knows by his ap- petite when it is dinner time. things the less I regard the value of clocks.
 I suppose the world ran on quite comfortably before they became so un-
 
 dear old Connecticut do If clocks should go out of fashion?
 I started, however, to tell you Of the value of whistles. especially To- comotive whistles. One engineers wife, to my knowledge, won for her self honor and fortune by her know ledge of whistles and what they meant. Margaret Patterson's home was near the bank of the cut through which the trains must pass before crossing the bridge over the cove farther on. Her wifeiy interest made her know when her husbands train was due and very rare were the times when it passed by and found her sleeping
 One cold windy night in March she heard the train as usual, the cheery greeting of the whistle telling her of the safety and well being of her hus- band, burt an instant later she realized that something was wrong. Instead of crossing the bridge. as it should have done. there came 8 crash which to her acute hearing foreboded disaster to all on board. Soon a glare, then a blaze of light added to her fear. Has, tily dressing and sefzing lantern she rushed forth to aid, if possible.
 A scene of horror greeted her view when she reached the spot Of the wreck The bridge had given way and piled around were the blazing bag gage cars. Fortunately the flames had not yet reached the passenger coaches. from which the least injured were at work removing their less favored companions.
 Her husband had escaped with a ducking, being thrown from his en- zine into the water, but regardless Of his wet clothes was busily engaged in aiding the passengers who were in danger.
 Putting her vigorous strength into service, Mrs. Patterson was able to do much for the comfort of those who were injured. Her own home was soon filled with the sufferers. Here they were furnished with food and warmth and medical attendance which was soon at hand.