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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Clinton News Record, 1937-12-16, Page 411:,!SCS1111(7,..c,(1,4,14,,e",ir, ,td W,SRECO ' THURS, DEC, 16, 1937. . • ' • • 13Y, ANDREW .,STEWART , .• • . , • •''t "When am 1 gettin' niy engine, Adains turned to his desk. He :boss?" thought of his own sturdy son, at Big Bill Adams, the yard -foreman, school in Adelaide, and sighed: "Poor .spun around on his high stool and Johnny." coughed as a cloud of coal -smoke was Where Johnny had hailed from, no wafted in through the open doorone seemed to know. Nearly fifteen 'Don't you worry about that en- years before, he had. drifted into Jur- agine, laddiea' Said Adams kindly. •'Han L'agundi Junction. The locoinotives fascinated him, so he stayed. The little, squat engines of the Opal run, Or the giant locomotives that alum. deincl through, southbound and north- bound, they were all the same to him. He loved them, one and all. One day, many years befote, kindly driver had taken the lad into the cab. For the first time he thril- led at the feel of a throttle. He had been allowed to toss his first shovel- ful of coal into the glowing firebox. From that moment, he lived for rail- ways and engines alone. Aid so, Johnny became a familial' fig•ure to every driver, fireman and ,just avtitin' away about it now." The figure in the doorway blinked: Ifis large, expressive eyes clouded. He shook his head wistfully. "They're takin' a long, long time. hake 'em up, will you, Mr. Adams, please?" Adams stroked his gray Moustache. "It'll be comin' along any time now, Johnny." Johnny closed the door. How many times had he uttered those same 'words, thought Adanis sadly. Through 'the smoke -blackened window he watched the pathetic -looking figure -picking his way across the. maze of guard, two hundred miles north and 'Tails in the grimy yard; a figure with south of Jurragundi. He helped in an unruly men of soft, gold hair. The the shed, ran errands — sometimes shiny -peaked railway cap, two sizes foolish, ones — and assisted in the -too small for him, perched incongru- yard. But he received no salary. ously on his abnormally large head. His was a labor of love. His long arms—strangely out of pro- portion with the rest of his body — hung from thin shoulders. An engine whistle squealed, and a, hottest summer the residents had ever • big black locomotive clanked past with known. Month in, month out, each - lazily -swinging drivers. Johnny' morning, a glaring sun arose over 'stopped and watched it raptly until the rim of the saltbush plains and it had disappeared. travelled its fiery circuit. A sun that turned the rails in the yard as The little New • Zealand township of Jurraguncli lay sweltering in the The Clinton News -Record With which is incorporated THE NEW ERA TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION 41.50 ner year in advance, to Cana- dian. addresses, $2.00 to the U.S. or ',flier foreign countries. No paper that never a breeze penetrated discontinued until all arrears are paid through, Engine -crews, on making unless at. the option of the publish- the run, 'nulled into Jurrangundi, .e.r. The data to which every sub- neription is rani is denoted on the ADVERTISING RATES — Tran- aiient advertising 12c per count line IVA, first insertion. 8e for each sub- asequent insertion. Heading counts .2 Ines. Small advertisements not to -exceed one inch, such as "Wanted," "Lost," "Strayed," etc., inserted once 'for S5c, each subsequent insertion 15e. Rates for display advertising -made known on application. Communications intended for Rub - vacation must, as a guarantee of good sun -blaze. The driver waved to the :faith, be accompanied by the name lone figure that regarded the train cat the writer. so intently, Johnny waved back. A E. HALL - Proprietor. shrill blast, the. hiss of steam, the drivers spun and steadied. The train hot as fire -pars. So hot, that when the shunters stepped on them, they could smell the scorching leather. In Opal, twenty miles east, it was said to be even hotter. Along almost the entire run to Opal, the track ran through a hardwood forest, so dense stumbled from their footplates and swore it was the hottest ever. Luc- ky for them it was only a twice -a - week service to Opal. Far up the main line Johnny heard the shriek of a whistle. He waited expectantly. The engine, fol- lowed by a long string of cars, flash- ed around the bend, pulled into Jurr- agundi, and stood panting in the 11. T. RANCE Notary Public, Conveyancer eafinancial, Real Estate and Fire In- aturance Agent. Representing 14 Fire alnsurance Companies. Division Court Office, Clinton glanced into the cab, There was no one there. He climbed inside and ca - Frank Fingland, B.A., LL.B. ressed the thaottle. The lever felt aqarrister, Solicitor, Notary Public warm and alive in his hand. Successor to W. Brydone, K•e• Driver Donovan heard a sound. a'Sloan Block — Claitan, Oat &e laid clown his blue enamel flask and stood up. "Hi, you! What you D. D.I. McINNES doin' in there?" gathered speed and thundered on its way to Adelaide, nearly four 'Mildred miles away. Johnny crossed the yard, paused beside a stationary locomotive and CHIROPRACTOR Electro Therapist, Massage Oftleet 1-furon Street. (Pew Doors west of Royal Bank) Hours—Wed. and Sat. and by appointment. .FOOT CORRECTION at, manipulation Sun -Ray Treatment Phone 207 GEORGE ELLIOTT • (Licensed Auctioneer for the County of Huron 'Correspondence promptly answered 1nimediate arrangements can be made ?or Sales Date at The News -Record, aClinton, or by calling phone 203. Charges Moderate and Satisfaction Guaranteed. A. E. COOK PIANO AND VOICE STUDIO—E. C. NICKLE, Phone 23w. 1141-x. leHE McKILLOP MUTUAL Fire Insurance Company Head Office. Seaforth, Ont. Officers: President, Alex. Broadfoot, Sea - 'forth; Vice -President, Thomas Mor- Seaforth; Secretary -Treasurer, M. A. Reid, Seaforth. Directors Broadfoot, Sea - 'forth; James Sholdice, Walton; Wil- liam Knox, Londesboro; Chris. Leon- it:mat, Dublin; James Connolly, God- Johnay started back "N-nothin'," he stammered. "Well, then! Get out! Hon it!" "I was dein' no harm," said John- ny. "The other drivers lets me. Be- side -e, I'm gettin' an engine, myself. Mr. Adams told me. He's writin' a- way:" Denovan laughed harshly. "Gram, son) theyYre Iciddin' you. They don't give locomotives to half- wits." As though struck, Johnny cowered back. He blinked stupidly and his face whitened. Then, turning slowly, be stumbled away towards his tin hut at the fan end of the yard. ton—" Unheeding, Johnny trudged on. In- side his hut he sat down dazedly. What had Donovan meant? Surely he didn't think ... He laughed mirth- lessly. Yes, that's what he meant. But, hadn't Mr. Adams promised him an engine? And Bill Adams wotdcl- IA lie. Still, it was strange. He'd been waiting for years for that en- gine. He was aware that drivers sat for tickets, Then why hadn't he been asked to do the same? And no word about his first becoming a fireman. Why . . . ? Why did he not line up with the •erich; Thomas Moylan, Seaforth; W. other men on pay night? A thought 'R. Archibald, Seaforth; Alex. McEw- left him cold and trembling. Why '5ng, Blyth; Frank McGregor, Clinton. I bad he never realized it until this • List of Agents: W. J. Yeo, Gin- • , ton, R. R. No. 3; James Watt, Blyth; abhn E. Pepper, Brucefield, R. R. 'No. 1; R. P. McKercher, Dublin. R. R. No. 1; Chas. F. Hewitt, Kincardine; H. G. Jarinuth, Bornholm, R. R. No. 1. Any money to be paid may be paid tossed it ••into the corner. ‘Ansing. to the Royal Bank, Clinton; Bank of he packed his few belongings into a Commerce, Seaforth, or at Galvin battered suitcase. He nicked un the 'Cutt's Grocery, Goderich. Parties cleaning to effect insur- ance or transact other business will be promptly attended 'to en applkaa ion to any of the above officers ad - 'dressed to their respective post offi- • Tee. Losses inspected by the director who lives nearest the scene, ' their sway. He remembered the lo- comotive that the saw -milling mom - C. .0 ANdagit pany had used to haul the timber- !' laden wagons back to the Opal line TIME TABLE When he arrived at the mill he 'Trains will arrive at and depart from gazed at the engine—a cold, lifeless Clhitan a8 Buffalo and Godericla MT. thing. Climbing into the cab he ob- 'Going East, depart 7.0am. served the tarnished' brasswork and 3 Going East, depart ,00 'listed coattails. A bird had built 3.p.m. aGairtg West, depart 1L45 p.m. its nest in one corner of the cab. He shuddered. To his simple mind it Going West, depart 10.00 m la • • London, seemed like sacrilege. He glanced. aGoing North, ar. 11.25 lye. 11.47 p.m. back at the heaped coal. Why, he Going South ar. 2,50, leave 3.08 pan it, could drive if •• • • • • minute? Yes, he should have starv- ed, had ib not been for the kindness, of the aailwaYmen. He took off the can that bore the itaigniaof the railway and listlessly cap, stared at it for a moment, then thrust it int a itis pocket. Twilight found him miles away from Jurragundi and close to the deserted sawmill. Engines still held 'Ifeclitiniiised`the„thOtightaild'Siep- pea .dOWn •on ' to the 7lead leaves, be aide, ahe.tiatelt,a .The,etars.,name out, Theliaah, brooded ,silantly,, except 'foa the fainteataaatle in theRnanleaves. He la ta; on Ilia, haelaMid, gaze at the velVet sli Hi thoughts Were:disor- dered, inexplicable. IIis little world had• aellapaecl, entiaelY. He., sat ' up. • ,eittlawY figare darted from the bush and clutched his arm. The *bites of two eyes gleamed in an eb- "You emna longa'annagundi ,eh?" stuttered a voice from the gloom. 'slres," said Johnny 'tonelessly. "Then big debbil fire coma longa, too. Burn Opal tip. Me',see um, ten rape back. Maktim that way, to Op- al." Johnny pondered the, aboriginal's statement. No use running the morn- ing twain to Opal, if --Opal had gone. He had visited the place on several occasions. He had a Picture of it in his mind, A small cluster Of wooden houses ringed, around by a great ex- panse of forest. He thought about' the -big wooden bridge over the Clear- water. It would be destroyed if the fire swept that way. He jumped to his feet as something flashed into his mind. What had the railwaymen been talking about in the yard? He recalled their words. Only women and children in Opal. All the men were away fighting the fire in the north. But Opal was quite safe— they had said so. He stood undecided. But had another fire broken out closer to Opal? Those -women and children! What would happen to them, unless they were brought out? Who could bring them out? There was no engine in Opnl. Who, then His heart beat suffocatingly as he gazed at the black mass of the en- gine. Only one man could bring thein out, and that man . . . the thought seared his brain . . why, himself. "You stay longa me," he snapped at the aboriginal. He raked the dead ashes from the fire -box and thrust in an manful of thy leaves and wood, When the fire leaped up he seized the shovel and spread a thin layer of coal on top. Then he attended to the filling of the tank. He stopped suddenly. He'd forgot- ten that Opal was linked with Jur- tagundi by telephone.' In the event of Jurragaudi sending through an en- gine, there would be danger of a col- lision, The thought left him cold. No he daren't risk it The mill was situated about two miles back froM the line. So far, he'd heard no engine on its way through Had they heard, about the fire? It so, why hadn't they sent help? Per- haps they hadn't heard. What eland( he do? He waited, in an agony of sus- pense, while the engine warmed. It became a living, glowing thing. He strained his ears for a sound that would indicate that another engine was on its way. He made up his mind suddenly. Spainging to the footplate he glanced up at the gauge. "You stay alonga me an' shovel coal," he said to the black fellow. He showed him how to spread the coal evenly over the fire. He'd have to make the run in reverse. And he'd have to remember about those points. They would be locked, but there was a heavy rasp in the ditty -box, so he'd soon cut through the chain. Johnny jammed the uniform -cap on his head and linked motion. "Mad!" he yelled exultantly. "Do- novan says so." Back in the station at Jurragundi, the 'phone rang sharply. Chalmers, the night -clerk, glanced up from his sheaf of way -bills. "Opal calling," he muttered. "Who the devil can that be? There's no one on duty in Opal." He jerked the receiver from the hook. "Hullo! Hul-lo!" No answer came back. He turned the handle, but still no reply. Slam- ming the receiver beak angrily, he turned to his desk. An hour later Adams stepped into the office. "Come outside, Fred," he Said to Chalmers, "I want you to look at something." Adams pointed an arm towards the east. "What do you make o' that?", They studied the red glow that seemed to die and flare up again periodically. ' "Fire," said Chalmers. "Over Opal way." Ile sniffed. "Fire, all right, I can smell 'it." "They would have 'phoned if they were in any danger," remarked Ad- ams. Chalmers told about the nail 'from Opal. "Good God, man, they might have been ringing for help!" "But they never answered. "Maybe the fin swept the line be- fore they had a chance." "Better rouse Donovan," said Chat- nera. "We'll send an engine through No. 35'11 be still hot." As they drew near Opal, Johnny reached up and tugged hard on the whistle -lanyard. Opal seemed to leap out of the derkeess. He saw a small vamp of white faces in the reflected glow from the firebox. Angus McPherson, the aged gore - keeper in Opal, and the only inanavato was not away fighting the fire -in the north, clutched Johnny's arm as he stepned from the engine, Goverument House Heptaitti insists that Goverin anent Honse must be closed, and its historic contents seattered to the four Winds, It was in the same spirit that the Goths and Vandals pillaged Roma, destroyed the world's chief centre of light and culture, and plunged Earl ope into that long period of misery known to history as the Dark Ages. When ,the Provincial Premier first threatened to commit the contemplat- ed outrage, I; as editor of the Mail and Empire, wasc able to co-operate with others in raising such a hue and ery that he abandoned his fell design for the time being. Those of uS who then fought Mr. Hepburn have been amply justified by the vigorous pro- tests ,which are now being put for- ward by Liberal and Conservative ne-wspapers throughout the Province gave up all hope when, we didna' get an answer from Jurragundi." Johnny sighed With relief. He now knew he woud have a 'clear run back. "There's a car in" the sidin'," said McPherson. "We'll "Wooden car . . . useless," gasped Johnny. "Wouldn't last five minutes. A steel wagon an' wet tarpaulins — that's what I want. There's covers in the shed. Get 'em.while I couple - They splashed water from the tanks into the wagon, hustled the women and children aboard and, soaked the covering tarpaulins. Johnny sprang to the footplate. The aboriginal attempted to dive from the cab. Johnny jerked him back and kicked open the firebox door. "Get busy!" he yelled. On a full head of steam, they raced out of Opal. The trees on. each side of the track echoed the thud of the exhaust; the engine rocked to the thrust of the nistons. At the back of the trees the fire glowed red, They rattled past rocky faces; flashed across viaducts as the wooden sides wove fantastic patterns in the night. The aboriginal staggered back; his black body glistened with sweat; his eyes rolled. Johnny tore the shovel from his hands, As he labored, the engine gained momentum and raced away on a down -grade. He dropped the shovel and steadied the throttle. "No use rade' her wheels off on a down -grade," he muttered, "But we've got to get over the Clearwater before the bridge goes." He saw a tongue of fire leap from the trees, but they had passed in a flash, They roared around the bend. Ahead was a solid 'wail of fire. The black fellow dropped the shov- el, raised his hands to his face and shrieked, Johnny gritted his teeth and pulled the throttle wide. The fire swirled into the cab. The heat blistered him; he, couldn't breathe. He sobbed; he cried aloud in agony. Thank God! They were through. On—on—on, they tore into the red night. As if by a miracle, the engine held the rails. He knew he was dri- ving Inc over the safety margin, but he had to get over the Clearwater be- fore the bridge went. He changed his right hand to the throttle, for the left had gone dead. Through blistered lips he tried to shout encour- agement to his fireman. Oh . . . let him get over the Clear- water before he roasted, and his job was done! Donovan sprang from the cab of No. 35 and pointed towards the bridge that was a mass of leaping flame. "We can do nothing more," said Adams dully. "God grant that the fire has missed Opal:" Suddenly from the back of the fire came the wild wail of a whistle. Loud and piercing, it sounded above the crackle of the flames, "Great G o d!" yelled Donovan. "There's someone 011 the line." He dived into the cab and flung the lever into reverse. As the engine approached Adams heard the terrific pounding of the wheels. as they hammered the tail - joints. "Good God! He's comin' through," gasped Adams to his companions. "But who is it?" TheY'stared fascin- ated. The black front of a locomotive burst out from that hell of flame. The wheels flew sparks like a shower of gold as the engine gradually slowed. T-wp hundred yards past them it stop- ped. They laced towards it, A shadow shape dove from the cab, and, chattering excitedly, pointed towards the engine. Some of the men tore the smouldering tarpaulins from the wagon. Adams climbed into the cab. A figure lay crumpled on the steel floor: Adains turned him over. "Johnny," he said huskily as he lifted him down. Someone flashed a Iiglit on the fi- gure that lay So still on the gravel beside the track. A cry of horror burst from half a dozen throats. "His hand! Oh „ . . look at his hand!"! All this happened a good many years ago,: but Johnny is still in Jur- ragundi. He hasn't got his engine yet; he never shall. As Bill Adams very gently pointed out to him, when he came out of hospital, a mart with, only one hand couldn't very .well pass! a driver's test. But he has a job in the elied, and each pay -night he linea up with the other men and is sol - Manly handed an- envelope Which is l inscribed "Johnny." - 1 "Thank God, you've come, mon. We —New Zealand Railways Magazine. against the .povernment, discourtesy toward His Majesty's representative iii this Prey:ince. That discOurteay has been and is all, the more repellent to decent Citizens because of the wide social and humanitarian services to which Lieutenant -Governor BruCe and Mrs. Bruce devoted their five years at Chorley Park. They made Govern- ment House the rallying centre for all good causes. Every class in the community was entertained there. The 13ruces were indeed a most powerful stabilizing force throughout the whole Province at a time when disturbing and disrupting influences were -- as they still are—very active. Mr. Hepburn falsely pleads the need for economy as the reason for his de- termination to padlock Morley Park. He says that the Province cannot af- ford $22,000 a year for the mainten- ance of a decent residence for the GoVernor. It will cost the Govern- ment at least half of that sum to pre- vent the empty million -dollar pro- perty from falling into ruins. What is more, this cry of economy sounds very ridiculous in the light of the extra- vagant manlier in which the Hepburn Government has wasted Ontario's re- sources and the people's inoney. The premature election of October 6, pre- cipitated two years before its proper time, cost the taxpayers $700,000 or $800,000. In addition to this the pub- lic treasury spent scores of thousands of dollars of the provincial revenue in advertising its virtues. It bought the voters with election -time reduc- tions in electric power and motor li- cense fees. It bribed the voters with fill unprecedented outbreak of road - building activities — activities which were abandoned once polling day was over. In the light of these facts why should Mr. Hepburn pride himself 90 saving $10,000 or $15,000 by closing Government House? The excuse of economy is all non- sense. The rrovincial contribution to the upkeep of Government House is a bagatelle, and all the money goes to tradesmen and workers. As Mrs. J. P. Hynes, prominent Liberal and social worker, said some months ago, entertainment at Government House and elsewhere provides work for cat- erers, stores, florists, bakers, and other merchandising classes and Wage earners. 1 n closing Government House, Mr. Hepburn will not only pre- vent the expenditure of government money in the promotion of business and emplopnent, but he will forth- with stop the expenditure of the $30,- 000 to $40,000 which the Lieutenant - Governor has annually spent out of his own pocket. The money will stay in the pocket; or bank of the Lieuten- ant -Governor, instead of being distri- buted for the enhancement of busi- neSs and the employment of workers. It is not to be forgotten that when, thesocial activities at Government House cease, the whole social life' of the city and Province will stiffer a considerable let -clown. The main suf- ferers win, be the business community and 'the workers. One of the reasons why the' Royal Family in England holdscourts and social functions is that" these functions stimulate busi- ness Inc the tradesman and make work for the unemployed. In closing Government House, the Premier is dealing a serious financial blow a- gainst those very classes in the com- munity to whom he feels that his ra- dical course will appeal. Another reason why' Mr. Hepburn is closing Government House is that he possesses little background of edu- cation, knowledge, experience or tra- dition. In 1934 he told a friend that "Great Britain has meant nothing more in my mind than a spot on the map." About the same thne, a mem- natant of the past, without tenderness towards what is traditional, ,without 'macre:winding of what they are de - Straying!' Mr. Hepburn faip;ets that 'under, the, British' North America Act, the Lieutenant -Governor is the, head of the Provincial GOvernment end the Ring's representative, and that ita such he should be treated with proper distinction and couttesy. If the Premier of Ontatio is logical, he will , abolish the mace and the Speaker's docked hat and eliminate the prayers for divine guidance at the Opening of each day's session. The more human beings become civilized and educated, the fonder they are of imptessive ritual in church and in state, the greater emphasis they lay upon the beautiful and significant in Iife, the more value they place upon the propriety of conducting public ceremonies in decency and order. Like Mr. Mackenzie Ring today, great Liberals of the calibre of Blake, Lam - bee of his family was quoted Jy a ier, Mowat, Hardy, and Ross delighted Liberal newspaper as saying that he in henoring the King's representatives (Mr. Hepburn) felt uncomfortable in at Ottawa and in Toronto. But they aristocratic society. These 'statements 'were men of education and distinction, suggest not economy but rather a lack of pro -British sentiment, tog -ether —F. D. L. Smith. with a definite inferiority complex. The Premier declares that there be no pomp or uniforms or guns henceforth at openings of the Legis- lature, and that the title Honorable will be omitted by the Clerk in ad- dressing members. This attitude lo- veals an entire, ignorance of the sig- nificance of ceremonial hi human af- fairs. The ritual to which he objects is reminiscent and eloquent of the cided to open up such a. place of long and suacressful struggle for civil business which is a big need te the and religious liberty in which the Bri farmers of the community. The new tish peoples have led the way for store will be in the western part of mankind. We agree with MT, Ber- the new garage being completed by trend Russell,•the English writer and C. Fritz & Son. We are informed philosopher, who has written that that Mr. Stan. McKenzie of Auburn, "our world has a heritage of culture formerly of Kipper', will give Mr. and beauty" but that "governments Clausius a good start. have fallen into the hands of Men ig-- —Zurich Herald. Reprinted from December 4th issue Saturday Night. NEW BUSINESS Zurich will soon have another- busi- ness in the list. This time it will be a new harness shop. Mr. Harvey Clausius, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Clausius of the Blind line, has de- tif hain, CHRISTMAS and NEW YEAR'S FARE AND A QUARTER FOR THE ROUND TRIP tr::‘`.tZg:f„!'adxf.,.,`,7:'actri,L6,27!/V3T. Moo good going Thursday, December 30 until 2 p.m. Sunday, January 2. Returning to leave destination not later than midnight. Monday. January 3, 1938. FARE AND A THIRD FOR THE ROUND TRIP Good going Tuesday, December 21 until Sunday. January 2 inclusive. Return limit to leave destination not later than midnight, Friday, Januaty 7, 1938. {What more appreciated Gift then a.prepaid rail- way ticket for a iourncy anywhere in Canada or United States? Ask about this convenient plan. Tickets and complete information from any agent CANADIAN NATIONAL 17: r-MAIRA-MtaWAVRikalttafiga.WAigaWAVAVAVAN PRIVATE GREETING CARDS Christmas Cards Printed with Your Own Message are More Popular This Year. COME IN AND SEE THE NICE SAMPLES TO CHOOSE FROM. ' The Cards are Boxed -25 in each box. • They Range. in Price from $1.75 1,1 p News-flecoird 6