Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-11-17

Hiring a Brakeman.

Hiring Brakeman.
Many years since, soon after the opening of
the Norwich and Worcester Railroad, stout
looking innocent, about six feet in his stockings,
with thews and thighs to match, stood in the
depot at Worcester, gazing with evident adj
miration at the bran new cars and snorting
locomotive, which had just arrived at the sta
ton. A roguish citizen who stood near him
watched his undisgused wonder attentively,
and drawing near entered into conversation
with him.
He was down from Vermont arter work,
and wanted to get a chance on one O. these
here railroads.
Do said the joker 9 why don't you go
and see the Superintendent MUG
Wa-a-l, l would, eff knew whar to find
him.
'Oh, well, come along with me-I'm going
right by his Office
And accordingly off went the twain, straight
to the store, where that demurest of all hoax
ers, Jem B., stood like patriarchal spider
waiting for any unsophisticated human fly that
might founder into his net.
'Ahl' said the wag who acted as pilot,
there he is. Here's young man, Mr.. B.,
who wants berth on the railroad as brake
man.
Jem was posted Immediately.
well, don't know; we've had great
many applications for the post, and in fact, /
had engaged man to go out upon this train,
but as he is not up to his engagement, will
talk to you. Have you been accustomed to
railroading!'
sW-a-al, no ] amt, but guess | could
learn it mighty soon. What's the wages =
'Tmrty-six dollars month and clothes
'Wa-al, Mister, I'm ready, eff you say so,
to take right hold
Very well, then, I'll send you out on this
with reference to one matter, and that is, there
is a set of troublesome fellows continually hang
ing round the train, pretending to belong to
the road Some of them may interfere with
you if they do, put them off the cars at once
tell them put you on the train, and take
no orders or impudenee from any of them
AS to your duties when you hear one whistle,
screw on your brakes if two alarms are SCUM
ded, screw them down hard and then when
three are given, loosen the brakes for the train
to 60 on. III go with you, and put you on
the train. You return here tonight, and then
I will see about your boarding place.
Accordingly, down they went to the station,
and there the pretended Superintendent show
ed his employee the brakes, and mode of using
them leaving him with fresh injunction TO
knock down any one who attempted to inter-
fere with him.
Before many minutes, the Vermonter had
customer. The whistle sounded, and-on
went the brake,
What are you doing there with that brake!'
shouted Legitimate brakeman; Jump off
there In hurry, if you don't want your head
broke H e
Jonathan looked at his rude interrooater "a
small many with contempt, but disdained to
reply,
'S-h-ree s-h-ree! who-o-oo, went ,ho
whistle, and the new brakeman screwed a,vav
for life, until snap went the chain
This was cup too much, and off went the
little brakeman for assistance. oA
What are you doing there q asks the con-
ductor, who returned with the man and step
ping upon the platform, placed his hands up
on Jonathan with view to summary ejectment.
A brief struggle ensued, at the termination of
which the conductor lay sprawling on his back,
with the small brakemans head damned be-
tween his legs.
Come on, ye darn'd heathing! shouted
Jonathan, now fairly aroused come on. III
larn ye t" cut up your didos areound me. I'm
hired, be; Mr. hired me for this biz
ness, and eff ] don't larn ye ter tend to yer
own biznees, it'll be coz yer stoutcr'n be-