Smyrna times., 1868-06-17
mise c/IUneOMS.
TIE BRAKEMAN.

Soon after the opening Of the East Tcnnes-
see and Georgia Railroad, there chanced to be
raVcihg over the line, In car where there
were but lew passengers a gentleman who was
seated opposite the stove, wrapped up in his
shawl and mcditations Night came on Pre-
Sently in bounded brakeman, loudly slamminn
the door behind him-One Of those country
genluSeS, who with audable ambition had a
day or two agOne abandoned the girls, the id-
die' and the ploughtail, to "climb in the
world, and became Il brakeman He had been
the king bee at all the neghborhood frolicS, at
the house-raslngs, at the corn shuckngS. and
at the cross. road doggery fighting ground, and
now he felt sure that he was a king bee on
railroads. Struttng up to the stove he slam
med down his lantern, kicked the mud from
his huge boots on the foot board of the seat,
spit tobacco juice cOpiOusly and noisily on the
kissing stove, crossed his muscular thighs.
took survey of the aforesaid boots, with har-
ness leather straps, and then bethought him
self OF the " customer on whom he proceed
ed to beStow heightened and saucy look, as
though he doubted the customers" right to
be IN the coach at all. At length he sought
knowledge:
''Whar ar you guine, Mister?'
quietly.
6 Preacher, amt you?"
. No, sir, am not; but why do YOU ask?'
"Oh nothing, only thought saw 'Hark
from the tOrnbs sticking out all over YOU like
the meaSis. You know me- | reckon?"
am sorry to say that do not"
We'll, L il jlst be burned; why whar the devil
were you raised ?"
AT Marysville, East Tennessee
Oh that excuses you, for if ever I hearn
tell owe that settlement afore, wish may be
burned, and knows every place, dus. y
" y OH seem to be well acquainted with the
place you are now occupying, remarked the
stranger, almost choking with efforts to sup
press his laughter.
=" What place do you mean, mister? This
ycre red bainch covered with the dried skins
OF cows tongues, or my oficc -
l alluded to your office and, by the way,
what Is your position on this road p
brakeman by the iumpn JENNY.
tho everybody know'd that; brakeman over
the Yeast TenncS>ey and Georgia Railroad.' -
" Unfortunately, did not know it,
We'll. you d darn soon found the fac out
if you'd cut up any shines roun ycre, huggin'
wlmmln, or cuSSln or trying to steal anybody's ;
carpet-bag or talkin' sassy to the conductors or
sch. Why, I'd chucked you butt foremoS'
thru that windOr like dartin clapboards thro'
the cracks ov a barn. for mean to run this
train on high morrill, principles | dus. AN
you didn't know was the brakeman ov this
yerc railroad"'
. Indeed, sir, did not. !"
We'll, old SlidecaSy, all hes got to say is
that for man of your iookS, you kuon less
hdn Hhy nean / crcr Sd,o. How do you man
age to make lvin', enyhow?"
receive a salary; am President of this
road Wallace is my name; but have not
the pleasure of knowing yours will you be
kind enough to inform me ?"
All symptoms of king bee disappeared
at this thunderbolt announcement, and in their
stead was seen timd humility, crushed pride
of place, strong get up and git expression,
and most contounded hang-dog done up
and dog-goned " appearance generally The
brakeman slid.