Classic Poem

" 'T IS only a touching story
That squeezes a fellow's heart,
And softens human nature
By making the big tears start:
Though Sammy was called conductor,
He was only six years old,
But one of those tender natures
That take the stronger hold.

" We grew right fond of Sammy, "
Said Train Conductor Brown,
" And always found him waiting
When the train came in the town;
And the engineer who loved him
Always looked to Sammy Crane
To raise his hand in signal
And start the waiting train:

" When everything was ready,
I would simply mutter low:
" The time is up now, Sammy,
Suppose you let her go;"
And then he'd holler clearly:
" All aboard!" and wave his hand
In that peculiar manner
The rail-men understand.

" But our Sammy got the fever,
And one day the people said:
" Our little boy conductor
Could n't come, for he is dead."
That big-hearted engine-driver
Pulled his cap down o'er his eyes —
Though a tear prove man the nobler,
He 's ashamed to own he cries.

" Three days later I stood waiting,
Waiting on the engineer,
While his engine blocked the crossing —
For I give no signal here;
He seemed watching something coming,
That was bound to cross the track;
But instead of going forward,
Strangely moved the engine back.

" 'T was the children in procession,
Each with flowers on their breast,
And a pretty white hearse followed
Bearing Sammy home to rest.
Then that great big engine-driver,
As the little hearse came near,
Laid a wreath of white, white roses
On the little fellow's bier.

" Both his cheeks with tears were running,
As you 've seen big drops of rain,
When the clouds outside are weeping,
Hurry down the window-pane:
And the great bell on the engine
Was softly tolled that day;
And its throbbing seemed like sobbing
As the engine moved away.

" 'T is only a touching story
That squeezes a fellow's heart,
And softens human nature
By making the big tears start,
And now you know the reason
I give no signal here,
But simply wait the pleasure
Of my faithful engineer. "