I have a good mind to tell you a story,” said Uncle Ben, drawing
his chair a little nearer the smiling group of young people which
surrounded the table in the sitting room.
“Do, Uncle Ben,” they replied.
As Uncle Ben announced his intention of telling a story, all eyes were
turned upon him. Mother laid aside her book and spectacles, and father
leaned back in his easy chair to listen, for Uncle Ben’s stories were
always worth hearing.
As uncle spoke, we wondered that he looked so sad. Placing his feet
upon a footstool, he began:--
“Many years ago, after I had graduated at college, I had a strong
desire for a situation on one of the railways that was then being built
through the United States. Through the influence of my friends, I
received a position as fireman on one of the leading roads.
“I soon won the esteem and good will of all of the officers and
employees on the road. As time passed, the superintendent and I became
deeply attached to each other. We were about the same age. There is
nothing I would not do for Frank Benway. I realized the duties of my
position and determined to discharge them honorably.
“But I was led away,--led down, down, where so many have gone before
and since. I was induced by thoughtless associates to drink. One
evening I had drunk more than usual, when Frank Benway came in. I did
not see him until he touched me on the arm.
“‘Ben,’ said he, ‘come away! for my sake, come away.’
[Illustration: “_Just one more drink_”]
“He took my arm and led me out into the cool, night air. When he spoke
again, it was in a pleading, sorrowful tone.
“‘Ben, for the sake of your mother, for the sake of the friendship
between us, never drink again. Good night, my dear friend.’
“I went to my lodgings with a dizzy head and a heavy heart. I knew
that my friend ought to turn me away from my situation, but he was too
kindhearted, and had too much confidence in me, even yet, to do that.
(I knew that he fully expected that I would heed his earnest entreaty.)
“But when I awoke the next morning, I again felt the strong thirst
for liquor. In one of my pockets I found a flask, filled with brandy
which I had procured the night before. I had started down the hill,
and thought I could not resist the temptation to take just one more
drink,--_just one more_.
“The Superintendent had gone down the road on an express train, early
that morning, as there were some repairs to be made part way down the
line, which he wished to superintend personally.
“Our train started in about an hour after the express. The engineer of
the train had been detained at the other end of the road on account
of sickness. I was alone on the engine, but the conductor had perfect
confidence in my ability.
“I had never drunk enough to become intoxicated before, and no one
on the train suspected that I had formed the fatal habit. I still
continued to drink until I became so helpless I could not stand, and
this was after I had taken my place in the cab of the engine.
“I fell against the tender soon after we got under way, and cut a
severe gash in my forehead. I attempted to rise, but could not. My
senses were clear, however, and I knew all that was passing with
horrible reality.
“I had fallen in such a position that I could see out at one side
between the tender and the engine. On, on we swept at lightning speed,
with no hand to guide the train or to regulate its speed.
“We had just passed the point where they were making the repairs I
spoke of, when, as we swept around a little bend in the road, I saw
Frank Benway, a few rods ahead of us, walking swiftly up the track.
Suddenly I saw him step upon a bit of stone which lay there, and,
slipping, his foot was caught between the ground and the rail.
“O how he struggled to rise, but could not! On we rushed. My poor
friend’s pitiful efforts to rise were in vain. And it is still the
bitterest moment of my life that at that moment I was too intoxicated
to reverse the engine, which I might have done, probably in time to
have saved his life!
“There I lay, bound by the horrible chains which I had forged for
myself. I could not move! Frank saw me, for he had fallen across the
track on the side where I lay on the cab floor. He held out both hands
to me, as if to say: ‘Help me, Ben, help me’!
“In another moment I was so near that I could look into his eyes, and
the next, they were closed forever. A brakeman who saw Frank when
we passed over him, now rushed to the engine, and finding me lying
disgracefully stupid, I suppose divined it all. He stopped the train.
“Frank’s remains were gathered up, and I was taken to my home, a raving
maniac. None on the train save this brakeman suspected I had been
drunk. He kept my secret--why I never knew. Perhaps he thought I was
punished enough. I was ill with brain fever for a long time.
“After I recovered, I _never_ tasted another drop of liquor. It seemed
as if I was more than a murderer. Afterward, when I went on the road
again, I was a changed man. I gradually worked myself up until I became
president of that road.
“Young friends, when you pass out from your parents’ care, there will
be many temptations to allure you. Then, I trust, you will bear in
mind the evening when you heard Uncle Ben’s sad story, told _in the
twilight_ of his life.”