Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-04-20
HIREING A BRAKEMAN

TOdu, STOUT IOOkin0 inHOCcuts ABOUT SIX
feet in his stockings, with sinews and
thighs to match, stood in the depot at
Worcester, gazing with evident admirs-
ton at the "bran new" cars and snort
ing locomotive, which had Just arrived
at the station. sU s7-Ii 1ouac3
A roguish citizen who stood near him
watched his undisguised wonder atten-
lively, and drawing near, entered into
conversation with him. - ' l1a
He was ''down from Vermont arter
work, and wanted to get work on one o.
these railroads." o' 7EauHre-fr .
"Do?' said the joker, "why don't
you go and see the Superintendent"
s'W-a-a-l, / would if knew where to
find him" 80 e. 'e ir oirJ f. ir
30, well, come along with me-Fm
going right by his Office" '1t
And accordingly off went the twain,
straight to the store, where that de-
murest Of all hoaxers, Jem. B. stood
like a patriarchal spider, waiting for an
unsophisticated human fly that might
founder in his net n 10 Ut
f' "Ahi'' said the wag who acted as
pilot, "there he is. Here's a Young
man, Mr.. B., who wants berth on the
road, as brakeman" i-- r1, .ra--
"Well, | don't know, we've had a
atmany applicants for the post, and,
in fact, had engaged man to 90 out
upon this train, but as he was not up to
his engagement, l will talk to you
Have you been accustomed to railroad
ing?'' ~ go.
"Wall, no, 1 hain't, but guess
could learn mighty soon. What's the
wages?'
"Thirty-six dollars a month, and
Clothes -
"Wall, mister, I'm ready, eff you say
so, to take right hold" a afr
Every well, then. III send you out
on this train; but wish to put you on
your guard, with reference to one mat
ter, and that is, there is a set of trouble
some fellows continually hanging round
the train, pretending to belong to the
road. Some of them may interfere
with you; if they do, put-them off at
once-tell them l put you on the train,
and take no orders or impudence from
any of them. As to your duties-when
you hear one whistle, screw on your
brakes; if two alarms are sounded,
screw them down hard, and then when
three are given, loosen the brakes for
the train to go on. You return here to-
night, and then I'll see about your
boarding place"
Accordingly down they went to the
station, and there the pretended Super
ndendant showed his employee the
brakes and the mode of using themle
ng him with fresh injunction to knock
down any one, who attempted to inter-
fere with him." r
Before many minutes the Vermonter
lad customer. The whistle sounded
and on went the brakes. --.a--aii
"What are you doing there with that
brake? shouted Legitimate brakeman:
ump off there in hurry, if you don't
want your head broke" .l. 10 z=-G I
"Sh-h rec! wh-o-roo! wentthe whis-
lie and the new brakeman screwed away
or life until snap! went the chain.
This was the cup too much, and off
vent the infuriated little brakeman for
''What are you doing there?" asks
he conductor, who returned with the
nan; and stepping up to the platform,
,laced his hands upon Jonathan, with
rev of summary ejectment. A brief
struggle ensued, at the termination of
which the conductor lay PROSTATE upon
lis back, with the small brakeman's
read jammed between his legs.
~" Come on, We darned heathensl"
houted Jonathan, now fairly aroused,
come on-Il learn you to cut up your
lidoes round mel I'm hired l be. Mr..
- hired me for this buziness, and eff
don't lem yer to mind your own bizi-
less, it'll coz yer stouter'n be-"
Afresh struggle ensued between our
zero and some half dozen others en-
,loyed on the train, who had gathered
Iround, and Jonathan was finally over
lowered, when an explanation took
lace, and the Superintendent's store
vas sought for, but could not be found,
IS the incorrigible wag had not been so
as to make the engagement in
lis own store; and although he was
trongly suspected as being the author
# the practical joke, no proof could be
lad, for by shrewd management of the
ace, and cool assurance, aided by diff
erent dress, he succeeded in urging
Jonathan out of his supposition, the
after having charged him with the joke.
The best part of the joke was the de-
The actual Superintendent
hearing of the indomitable pluck dis
played by the Vermonter, sent for him
md did actually engage him-and it is
aid that he now fills a satisfactory post
lpon one of the great Western Rail
'oads. But such jokes being dangerous
With six-footers, Jim has been COM
yelled to forego similar luxuries from
hat day to this. etA f-i7r /.
EF-A person should not be expected
o take off his glove preparatory to
haking hands with another, any more
han to take of his boot when about to
,ick a man.
A- III, ..o,to.t .trIo <f fashion a h1e