The Ballad of the Trainman.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXV, Issue X, 8 September 1900, Page 445

The Ballad of the Trainman.

| "Thanks to a timely warning given by Mr I ‘.ridges. the well known trainmart. on the Wanganui Palmerston Noith section, an uiigiiir was prevented from running into a washout lie has nvt-ivtil a letter of thanks ami LI from the Ihopartment in recognition.' Wan ganui <Tiruniele.” | ’Twas O. a gaiiant Engine. Speeding its mihs away. An<l hound from distant Palmerston. Ami who its course should stay? Likewise a merry Trainman Who sold both books and papers To all the wastry travellers Who otherwise were gapers. Ami O. ii was a Wash-out! Now mark ye well that word! l-'or thrills it not the trembling heart As soon as ever heard? Kor ah! it yawns a chasm To gulf the speeding train; Tm* inert* thought gives a spasm. We wipe a tear again. Twas he. that merry Trainman. That Wash-out first' to spy; His chin dropped Tow. a yard or so. He winked ami said ”ATy eye!" His stout heart quaked within him; That Engine now was due! "Whatever." said the Trainman. What EV HR shall I do?" That Trainman e was Hinglish (Which says all "can" he saidi; lie scratched his ruddy poll; he scratch As if to raise the dead; He heard that Engine whittle; He would not quit the ii.uk; He yelled, he threw both arms on high; He waved that Engine hack! Saved was that noble Engine. All by that Trainman merry; Thus England’s sons stand by their guns. Sing derry, hey down derry. Hail to the great I >ep.i rt meiit Of Railways! Hail, all hail! They tilled that gaping Wash-out. Replaced I hat num d rail. Tiny praised that merry 'Trainman. They noised his fame around; They vowed him worthy great reward; They gave him one whole pound. What did the merry 'l'rainman? •He stared in huge surprise. He dashed away a ri.-iiig tear.Ami then he dashed his eyes. "Ami should I rob my country thus?’* I It* cried: "Oh. ne’er be said it! Perish the base, ignoble thought! 11l leave it to my credit."

R. A. BULLEN