From the throttle to the throne

Preface

TheJAuthor makes no apolo«:y for offering to a reading public, this little volume. We have tried to avoid all scholastic terms, using only the language of the home and thus produce a work that is adapted to the masses. The more 1 have studied the great principles and truths of the Bible, the more I have been persuaded that a work of this kind is needed. I have labored to present in a readable romance, the great truths contained herein, and I do sincerely believe that a faithful pursual of its pages will build up and strengthen tqe faith of those who “Stand, and rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,” and that those who are being driven out upon the broad ocean of doubtand error, by the adverse winds of the doctrine of men, will be taught the way of life and salvation as it is in Christ. And thus accomplish the work for which it is intended.

THE AUTHOR.

Dedication

To my wife, Emma S. Wilson, who has so patiently and kindly assisted me in the preparation of this work, this little volume is affectionately dedicated by

THE AUTHOR.

Chapter 1. Disappointed

One cool afternoon in the month of April, while the clouds were hovering low over the earth, and the rain was slowlv but gently falling, reminding one of the near approach of the early spring, Mr. B., the Superintendent of an Eastern railroad, was seen walking leisurely up and down the station platform of a New England city. Mr. B. was a strong muscular man and possessed a commanding and pleasing appearance, so much so as to attract the attention of all whose gaze fell upon him, and as he, with arms crossed behind him, slowly moved from one end of the platform to the other, he was freely discussed by that part of the city’s population who had no other purpose or higher ambition in life, than to loaf about the depot and make remarks about every stranger who chanced to come within reach of their gaze. But their slighty remarks had no effect upon Mr. B. In fact, he was so wrapped up and absorbed in his own thoughts, that he heard nothing that was said about him. So dead was he to his environments that he was, apparently, living in a world, of which he was the sole inhabitant. Mr. B. was a self made man. He had worked himself up from that of an ordinary section hand to the Superintendency of one of the greatest railroads in America. While he was a strong man and had experienced the unpleasant as well as the pleasant things, common to every man who had spent his life in a position to which there are honor and responsibility attached, and had heretofore disposed of all serious problems and managed the business of a great

4. FROM TEE THROTTLE TO THE THRONE.

•railroad with as much composure, and seemingly, with .as little worry as the smooth and even tempered woman manages her household duties. But at this time he kept his eyes fastened upon the ground at his feet, as much so, as if he were unable to lift them higher. He wore a sad and haggard look. His broad and manly face which had always been lighted up with a bright and cheerful smile, now gave evidence that he was carrying a burden upon his heart that he alone could read and understand.

In the distance to the west could be seen an object, which seemed to be standing still, but steadily growing larger, while from it great volumes of smoke seemed to roll and join the clouds which had already obscuredthe sun and settled a dusky gloom over the quiet little city which was just about to merge into the darkness of the night. Suddenly the train caller rushed into the waiting room, and in clear strong voice announced the arrival of the “New York Limited.” At this juncture, the passengers who had been so anxiously awaiting the time when the hand on the large station clock would point to the hour when the “Limited” would arrive, took their grips and small parcels, pushed their way through the crowd and were standing on the platform when the great engine steamed by, and while it stood sounding forth a dead “Chug” “Chug,” as if angry because its birdlike flight had been momentarily checked, and like a thing possessing life, seemed to be anxious to get started again -on its long journey over its smooth path of steel which lav stretched across the broad prairies for unnumbered miles before it. While great trucks of baggage, express and mail were being unloaded and the passengers were getting off and on, Mr. B. walked to where the fireman was busy wiping the bright bars of his -engine, which already shone as so much silver ; and

I)ISAPF>()IXTE1).

‘said; “Tell Clyde to come to the door of the cab/’ Clyde Xewman, the engineer and hero of our story, was considered by the officials of the road, as the best man that they had in their employ. He knew every foot of the road. He understood every signal and obeyed them perfectly. He understood his engine and knew how to make it speed sixty miles an hour over the straight track and round the curves with perfect safety. He was always found at his post and was seldom over a minute behind time. But why should he not be? He was ‘‘reared on an engine.” His father was an engineer before him. He was the only son of his father and therefore the idol of his heart. When he was only eight years old, his father would take him out on the road with him. He soon learned how to start and stop the great engine. He would sit in the cab and look out the window and watch the ground as it seemed to run from under them, or with childlike appreciation, admired the great iron monster as it seemed to leap and bound over the rails; and when the day’s run was over, he would sit in his mother’s lap and tell her of all the interesting things that he had seen, and in his own childish way tell her how he expected to run his engine when he “Got big like papa.” He was an apt student, and his father’s constant comp*anion, and took great pride in doing his work. His father would often say that “Clyde could handle the engine much better than he could.” Long before he was old enough to take charge of an engine, he could handle one with as much skill as anyone on the road. His father had always taught him that an engineer must be sober and honest, and while he was not a Christian, he had profound respect for those that were and regarded all churches alike, thinking that they all taught the same. When he became twenty-one years old, lie was given a freight run. His work proved so satisfactory and his good moral character, soberness and splendid habits, together with his thorough knowledge of railroading soon commended him to the officials of the road and at the age of thirtytwo he was given the “New York Limited,” the fastest and best train on the road.

When Mr. B. called at the cab door, Clyde stepped forward and the Superintendent started to offer him liis hand, but stopped suddenly and let his arm fall by his side, fixed his eyes upon the young engineer and stood gazing in his pale face as if he were held by some power, other than his own. The young man stood in silence and astonishment. A thousand thoughts seemed to rush in his mind. “What have I done?” he thought. “Why does the Superintendent of the road, of which I am an employe, act thus?” While these and other like questions were passing through the young man’s mind, Mr. B. was thinking also. The mental picture of a strong healthy young man, who but a few years ago came to his office and applied for a position as engineer, came up vividly before him. He thought : “Can I be deceived ? Is this man before whom I now stand the same young man, who but a few years ago, was the picture of health ‘and perfect manhood ? Is this young man, who is now all but a physical wreck, the one who has broken all -previous records as an engineer on the ‘Limited ?’ ”

“Clyde,” at last said Mr. B. “You are the best man we have ever had. Your record as an engineer has been perfect.”

Clyde’s heart, which had been fluttering like a frightened bird in its cage, ceased to beat so rapidly, his face, which had been pale by wonder and astonishment, began to resume its natural color, and his lips began to move to form words by which he hoped to ^show his appreciation for the high complimentary

DISAPPOINTED.

words from his superior officer.

"But,” said Mr. B.

"What, a proviso?” thought the young man. "What can this mean? Will the favored run be taken from me and given to another, possibly an older man than me ? Am I to go back on a slow freight, or ^oes it mean that I am discharged?”

"But your health,” continued ^Ir. B. "You are broken down ; your nerves- are becoming weak and shattered. To continue as you are, you would not only be jeopardizing your own life, but you would be endangering the lives of hundreds of others. The company has had your case under advisement for some time, and, while we regret to let you go, we think it the best for all concerned. You are yet but a young man, and, while you may think we are treating you unkind and unjust, but the company’s physicians think it best for you to take a six months’ lay-off and go to the mountains and try to regain your health. When you reach the end of the division, you will be relieved by a man whom I have already notified to meet you and take charge of your engine on your arrival. 'Sly advice to you is, to go at once to the mountains of Colorado, camp, fish and hunt, and forget, as nearly as possible, your work here. When you have stayed long enough to regain your health, come back; your job will be waiting for you. You are too good a man ; we can’t afford to lose you. When you get ready to go, come to my office and get a pass to any point in the West to which you decide to go; and when you are ready to return, wire me for transportation.”

Wdth these words burning upon the young man’s ears, i\Ir. B. turned and walked down the side of the long train of coaches. The conductor called out, "All aboard,” stepped to the edge of the platform and sig-

8. FROM THE THIIOTTLE TO THE THHONE.

nailed to Clyde, who was watching the Superintendent as he was disappearing in the crow'd. “All isready,” said the fireman to Clyde, who was too much engaged with his own thoughts to see the conductor, who was still waving his hand. Clyde reached for the bellcord and a few clear taps gave warning to all that the “Limited” was ready to go. He took hold of the throttle and the great engine began to move and was soon pounding off sixty miles an hour tow^ards the city of Klew York.

AS Clyde sat in his cab, with his hand upon the throttle and his eyes fastened upon the rails before his engine, his mind was busy bringing fresh again the memory of the sweet days of long ago. He thought of his childhood days, when his fond father, who had for years been sleeping in the bosom of the cold earth, would take him on his knee and tell him all about the working of his engine, or patiently listen to him as his little mind reached out in its endeavor to take hold of the great problems of the future, and seemed to be pleased to note the remarkable ability possessed by one of such a young and tender age. He thought of his invalid mother, old and gray, and his sister dear, who were waiting his coming in the old home. He thought of the time when he and his sister were but little children, used to romp up and down the halls and make them ring with the echo of their youthful voices, or how, when they were seated at play, he used to pour into her ears the story of his future visions, when he would become a man and handle the engine that would pull the long trains from city to city. He thought of the time when he as a boy used to sit in his father’s cab and watch the beautiful landscape as the engine bounded over the prairies and rushed around the hills. Never, since he was a boy, did the hills and.

DISAPPOINTED.

valleys look so beautiful to him- as they did on this, his last run. He looked at his engine, which was carrying him so rapidly and steadily on— his boyish admiration came back to him. Never before did his train seem to glide along so smoothly. He thought of the words of the Superintendent: “We think it best for you to take a six months’ lay-off.” “Is this to be my last run for six months, and possibly forever?” And “Is this to be my last run over my father's old road?” He thought of the sorrow that his absence would bring to his mother and sister. He took his handkerchief from his pocket, placed it to his face and wept, and when he raised his eyes he could see, through his tears, the tall buildings and the smoke rising from the different factories, which reminded him that he was near the city of C., which was the end of his run. As his train rushed up to the station, he saw a strong, broad-shouldered man standing on the platform and holding in his hand a yellow slip of paper. When the train stopped, the stranger stepped upon the engine and handed iMr. Newman the paper, which he unfolded, and read the following message :

“To Clyde Clyde Newman — This is Mr. Bonner, who will take charge of your engine on your arrival., You may renort for duty any time after six months. — Signed: B.“

Clyde. tc>ok the stranger by the hand and greeted him kindly, and as he turned and walked awav from his engine he could not help but admire ^Ir. Bonner, who was not only a perfect gentleman, but a strong and healthy man, which made Clyde feel his misfortune and disappointment so much the more. Almost heartbroken, he raised his tear-stained face to take the last look at his engine, which seemed to him more like a friewd, or a creature, than something made by one; and then started towards his home, which he knew would present a scene of sorrow when his mother and sister learned that he must soon leave them. As he neared that home, he felt that his ambition in life was ended, and that his visions of future greatness, that he had seen and cherished in his happy childhood days, now seemed to pass away like a dream in the morning. As the darkness of the beginning of a long night settled about him and hid from his view every object that was so dear and familiar to him, so did the darkness of that sad hour seem to settle down over his young life, blast his every desire .and blight his fondest hopes.

THE NEWMANS.

CHAPTER 11.

THE NKWMAXS.

The Xewmans lived in an old-fashioned house in the southern edge of the city. It was a two-story eight-room building and was located near the center of a lot which contained about one acre of ground ; and was built on the old Colonial style, having a wide veranda which reached clear across the front, and was almost hidden by the tall oak trees which stood all around it, lifting their heavy branches far above its roof. In the background could be seen a number of bee-hives, which were made from the bodies of hollow trees, sawed off about three feet in length, and were sitting, one under each of the large apple trees that were scattered promiscuously about the rear of the building, and Avhich, on a certain spring day, were covered with fresh blooms, that looked like so many massive snowballs. These beautiful blossoms were emitting forth such a fragrant and delicious odor as to allure to them the bees which were busy storing away their precious treasure, knowing, doubtless, that the only time to gather their meat was while the friendly-like trees were yielding up their golden harvest.

The Newmans were splendid people and they were considered as such by all who knew them. They could trace their family history back to the landing of the historic Mayflower, and were happy in the thought that their ancestors were numbered with that little band who,, before they, had ever set their feet upon the New World, or liad seen its fertile soil, “drew up and signed a compact to enact just and

FKOM THE THilOTTLE TO THE THHO^'E.

equal laws, and submit thereto.” These principles - were as dear and sacred to the Newmans, and their practical applications were as strictly adhered to by them, as they were by those who framed them just at the morning’s dawn of that day in which was born a Western and better civilization. The knowledge of the fact that they were the direct descendants of those who were among the first to cross the turbid, waters of the Atlantic and help to lay the foundations of a country which today is known the world, over as “the land of the free and the home of the brave,” was a source of great joy and satisfaction to them, and they took great pride in carefully preserving and handing down to each succeeding generation the story of their illustrious forefathers, of which they were so justly proud.

Lewis Newman was born and reared in the mountains of Tennessee. His father owned a small farm, of which only a part lay in the .valley, the balance lying upon the mountain side, and was too rough and rocky to be of any value or benefit to him. There were no church or school houses near him and consequently his children had no advantages of an education, except as he and his good wife could teach' them each evening as they gathered around the littletallow-candle, or, what was more common, a rich pine knot lighted and placed in certain position on the hearth of the open fireplace, so its smoke and odor would be caught up into the throat of the rock chimney, while it cast its irregular light upon the book whose pages were being eagerly scanned by the hungry eyes of a half a dozen children. The country at that time was comparatively new, and not very thickly settled. The woods abounded with all kinds of game. As there were no religious gatherings, except occasionally when some stranger would drop into

THE NEWMANS.

the country, pass himself oft as a preacher and hold! a “few nights’ meetin’ ” at some neighbor’s house and then disappear as quietly and mysteriously as he came, their idle hours were spent in hunting and. fishing, which was not engaged in so much for pleasure as for revenue.

When Lewis reached the age of eighteen, being the oldest of four sons, and as his father’s mountain, farm was not large enough to support or even give profitable employment to all of them, he decided toleave the parental roof and learn a trade or business that would not only be more in keeping with hislikings, but one that would yield him a more lucrative return for his labor. Accordingly, one morning, in the early spring, as the family was seated at the breakfast table, he announced to his father and mother his plans and said that he expected to leave for the city the following morning, providing that they thought that they could manage the little farm without him and would be willing for him to go. They assured him that they thought his plan a wise one,, and, while they would miss him at the old home, they would not object to his going. Next morning, after his father and mother had delivered their charges, and cautioned him about his habits, he bid’ farewell to all and started to the city.

He had heard very little about the outside world. It was only as some stranger who would be passing; by, and would stop with his father over night, or when some neighbor-boy, who had been away from home for a few months and had returned again, would come over and tell them about the wonderful advance* ments, the rapidly growing cities, railroads, and other things of equal interest, did he learn anything outside of the little circle in which he lived. Whenthese rare but highly prized opportunities did come..

14. FKOM THE TBilOTTLE TO THE THKONE.

Lewis would listen with the most intense interest^ and, after the speaker had exhausted himself, he, prompted by his anxiety to learn more about tliat which he had never seen, would ask questions and would eagerly drink in every word of the answer. This was kept up until his father would remind him that it was time for him to retire and give the man a chance to rest. That which he had heard talked about the most was that in which he was interested the most — the railroad. Just as soon as he arrived in the city he w^ent to the station and watched the trains as they would come and go. He looked up and dowm the long line of track, and when he raised his eyes he saw a swdtch engine pushing a long string of box cars up a track that led off from the main line towards a flouring mill that stood a half mile east of the depot. As if paralyzed by astonishment, he stood and gazed at that, to him the most wonderful and yet the most beautiful object that he had ever beheld. As he watched the man in the cab, as he sat with his. head out of the window and his hand upon the throttle of his engine, as it was so rapidly shoving the cars along, there was born in his young heart a desire to become a locomotive engineer. He turned and walked down to the main office and made application for a position as fireman. The company, being short on men, accepted his application and immediately assigned him to an engine, which was a wood-burner, or as the fireman called it “a wood-eater.” Lewiswent to work with a zeal backed up by a purpose to succeed. Being anxious to learn engineering, he worked hard, and was in a reasonably short time promoted to the engineer’s seat, in which place he worked for a number of years. In the meantime he met and won the heart and hand of the girl of his choice, bought a nice little home and settled down to=

THE NEWMANS.

•enjoy, as he thought, the remainder of his life in the quiet little Southern city that knew him first as only a raw recruit from his distant mountain home.

Just before the breaking out of the Civil War he moved with his family to C., which was at that time only a small village in one of the Northern States. He was a man who weighed every question very carefully before he took any definite position, and when his mind was once made up he stood firm in liis convictions, but he had great charity and respect for those who honestly differed from him. When the great proposition of war came up, involving the question of the division of this Union, after he had considered well the question, and though he was Southern born, honestly believed it to be his

duty to take sides with the Unionists, and when

Abraham Lincoln called for seventy-five thousand volunteers he was among those who were the first to offer their lives as a sacrifice upon the altar of their country. He gave almost five of the best years of his life in helping to stay the hand of division and to protect the honor and integrity of the “Stars and Stripes,” that flag that has never known a complete defeat or whose sacred folds have ever waved over any save a victorious army, and is not loved only by every loyal American citizen, but it is honored and respected by every nation, whose people

liave been touched by civilized hand. Mr. Newman was in some of the hardest fought battles of the war, and in every respect he proved himself equally as good a soldier as he had been a citizen. He was with Gen. Grant when he met that peerless warrior and perfect gentleman, Gen. Lee, and received from him the surrender of his army. As he stood and watched those men, two of the greatest generals that the world has ever produced, clasp hands, his heart

16. FROM THE THROTTLE TO TH E TH RuNE

‘•overflowed with joy to know that thus ended one oi the bloodiest wars that was ever waged by a civilized people, and that this blood-washed Union was not only preserved, but that it was made stronger and better by reason of the fact that once more the white-winged messenger of love and friendship had hovered low and whispered ‘“'Peace'’ in the ears of both the North and the South, uniting them again as one people under one grand and glorious flag.

No sooner had the smoke of battle cleared away, the roar of the cannons ceased, and the last echo from the muskets died away among the rocks and trees of the distant hills, Mr. Newman bid farewell to his .comrades and returned to his home, where he was warmly welcomed by his wife and two children With Mr. Newman, the war was ended, the ]\Iason and Dixon line was blotted out forever. If he ever had any prejudice, he left it upon the battlefield, r^r "buried it with the last Confederate soldier whose mangled body he helped to lay away to its last rest ing place in its loruely grave. He knew no diflerence between the blue and the gray, since the union of the North and the South had been sealed by the blood of a million of the world’s best men. When be reached home, like all true soldiers, he turned his attentions from the sorrows and hardships of war to the building of his home and the educating of his children. He soon secured a position as engineer on the road that ran through the town in which lie lived. The dark and gloomy days of war had not caused him to forget how to be faithful to his work, but he went to work with the same zeal and purp(.>se that he had when he, for the first time, mounted an engine to work himself up in the estimation of the officials of the road. He took great pride in his "home. His leisure hours were spent around the fire-

THE NEWMANS.

IT.

•side, where he would listen to Grace, his only daughter,. who, with her little baby hands, would try to pound music out of the old-fashioned piano, or he would patiently endeavor to answer the multiplicity of questions propounded by Clyde, who never grew tired of hearing his father talk about his own engine, or read to him the thrilling story of some hero at his throttle. i\Ir. Newman saw not only the little village in which he lived grow and become one of the leading cities of the State, but he saw his daughter, the idol of the home, grow to womanhood and become an accomplished musician, and Clyde bloom, as it were, into manhood and take his place among the best engineers on the road. Their home was a happy one. It was filled with one ray of perpetual stinshine, until one day the silent messenger of Death lightened at the doorway, paused but a moment to fold his celestial wings, then softly crossed the threshold of that once happy home, kissed down his eyelids to that eternal sleep, gathered in his tender embrace an affectionate husband and a fond and loving father, and, with his heaven-bound burden, stepped aboard the ship and sailed from the shores of Time.

Clvde was twenty-two years old when his father died, and, being the only son, he was left to comfort and support his mother and sister, which obligations die considered a pleasure rather than a burden.

FROM THE throttle TO THE THRONE.

Chapter III. Telling Mother Good-bye

When Clyde entered the house his mother said:

“Clyde, you are later tonight than usual. We had become very uneasy about you. What was the matter, dear?”

“I am just a few moments late, mother; that is all”

“But,” continued Mrs. Newman, “what was the matter? Was there an accident on the road, or why couldn’t the Limited arrive on time this evening?”

“There was nothing wrong,” said Clyde. “W^e were not a minute late. I was detained after I reached the city. I had to show a new man a few things about my engine.”

As these last words were spoken, Clyde’s voice began to tremble, and he hastily began to ascend the old-fashioned stairway, before his mother could detect anything strange about his voice or actions. When he reached his room he heard his mother say :