in the distance he could hear the engines in the train yard across town moving cars back and forth ... now and then a distinct crunching sound could be heard when the cars came to an abrupt halt ... the sound of the mills big grinders whine was barely audible , blending in with the night traffic ... all around were sounds of life , people doing their work , driving their cars , living their life ... the city vibrated with life even at this hour of the night ... as he allowed loose the creative side of his mind his eyes caught on the old oak tree still standing across the street .