Guild's Signal.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1809, 9 February 1884, Page 2 (Supplement)

Guild's Signal.

Two low whistles, quaint and clear, That was the signal the engineer — That was the signal that Guild, 'tis paid, Gave to his wife at Providence, As through the 1 sleeping town, and thence Out in the night, On to the light, Down past the farms, lying white, he sped I As a husband's greeting, scant no doubt, Yet to the woman looking out, Watching and waiting, no serenade, Love-song or midnight roundelay Said what that whistle seemed to say : " To my trust true, So, love, to you, Working or waiting, Good night 1 " it said. Brisk young bagmen, tourists fine. Old commuters along the line, Brakomen and porters glanced ahead, Smiled aa the signal, sharp, intense, Pierced through the shadows of Providence — " Nothing amiss — Nothing ! — it is Only Guild calling his wife," they said. Summer and Winter, the t old refrain, Hang o'er the billows of ripening grain. Pierced through the budding boughs o'erhead, Flew down the track when the red leares ' burned Like living coals from the engine spurned, Sang as it flew : " Toour trust true, First of all Duty— Good night !" it said. And then, one night, it was heard no mdn?, From Stonington"over Bhode Island shore, i And the folks in Providence smiled and suit!, j As they turned in their beds ; " The engineer i Has once forgotten his midnight cheer." '■ One only knew, To his 1 trust true^ < Guild lay under his engine dead. * ' ' " s ' — HretHa'rUm ' |