National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1869-10-08
Job Printing
Hiring u brakeman.

| Many years since, soon after ih'
opening of the Norwich Il Worr- ,
ter railroad a stout looking innor,
about six feet in his stockings, viii
thcwS and thighs to match, stood ~
the depot at Worcester. gazing with
evident admiration at the bran u"W
ears and snOrting locomotive, winch
had just arrived ut The station. 4
rognish citizen who stood near bjW.
4 watched his undiSguised woLd T
attentvely, and drawing near. en-
tered into conversation with him.
He was down from Vermont, ar
ter work and wanted to get a chance
on one o these here railroads.
80 ? said the other. sWhy d0u't
you 90 and see the superintendent p
'Wa-a,l, would eff | knew where
to find him.
'Oh, then, come along with m -
I'm going right by his Office
Accordingly off went the twain,
straight 70 tie store where thh-
demrrcSt of all hoaxers, Jem. h.
stood like a patriarchial spider, waij-
j ing for any unScphiSJicatcd human
/ fly that might founder in his net.
'Ah = said the wac, who acted as
pilot-'thcre he is. Here's a young
man, Mr.. b., who wants berth on
one of these railroads as brake
man.
Jem was posted immedia ely.
ltN'nn | l,h't \E,',-n Lnl
a good many applications for the
post. and in fact, had engaged y
man to go out upon this train; but
as he is not up to his engagement, |
viii talk to you. Have you been
accustomed to railroading
'W.a.ai, no, | amt; but | guess
| could Learn it mighty soon. What's
the wages ?
'Thirty.six dollars a month and
clothes.
'W,a-a !, mister, I'm ready, ef ycu
say SO, to take right hold
Very ell, then, III send you ont
on this train; but | wish to put Won
on your guard with reference to one
matter, aud that is, there is a set of
troublesome fellows continually
hlnglng round the train, pretending
to belong tC the road. Some Of thcin
may intcfere with you. If they do,
put them off the cars at oncc--tcli
them put You on the train, AMI
take no orders or impulrnce from
any Of them. As to Your duties:
when YOU hear any one whistle, screw
on your brakes; If two alarms are
sounded, screw them down hard
and then when three are gwen, zoos
cn the brakes for the train to 90 on.
I'll go with you and put you on thu
tram. You return here tonight and
then I will sec about your boarding
place
Accordingly down they went to
the station, and there the pretended
superintendent showed his employees
the brakes, ard mode Of using them
leaving him with a fresh injunc.
ton 70 knock down any one who
attempted to intefere with him.
Before many minutes the Vermont.
or had customer. The whistle
sounded, and on went the brake.
'What are you doing with that
brake ? shouted the Legitimate brake
man. Jump of there i'll hurry, il
Won don't want Your head broke
Johnathan looked at his rude in.
terrocator "a small man) with con
tcmpt. but diSdained to reply.
IS h reel Sh rec! who-o.o y went
the whistle. and the new brakeman
screwed away for life, until snap
went thc clan.
This was the cup too mrc', and
off went tn" irfurlted little brake.
man for assistance.
'Wha' are you doing there . asked
the conductor, who returned with the
man and stepping upon the car,
placed his hand upon Johnathar
with view 10 summary ejrctmeut.
\ brief struggle eueued, at the ter.
minatiou Of which the cpnGu tor lay
sprawing upon his back. with the
small brcakman's head jamcd be.
tween his legs.
Come on yc darncd hclthenSn
shouted Johnathan,now fairly reused
-'comr on ri harm We ~ cut up
your dilos around me I'm hired.
bc-Mr..----hrcd me for this bi2niSs.
and cf don't larn We to tend 10
ser own, it'll bs COZ yer stouter'n |
! be-
a fresh struggle cuSued between
our hero and some ha'fdozcn others
! employed on the train, who had
gathered around and Iotnatlan waS
finally ov"rpowcred. when an evpla-
nation took place end the snpcrin.
tcnhrui'a 'giOrC' was sought for. but
could not hr foun |, SO the incorrigi.
bic wag had not been 80 ircantious
~ to make the engagement in his
store; and although he was strong.
/ ly SUSPECTED ~ hcing the author Of
the too practical Joke, no proof
could be- bad. for by - shrewd man.
ngemcnt OF the muscles Of his face.
and cool assurance. aided by u diff
| frrrni dress. hr succeeded in arguing
Juhuathan out of his auspicion, the
latter having charged him with tho
! hoax.
The best part of the Joke was the
drnoumcnt. The actual sUpcTintcnl.
cnt. hcriingcf the affair. and II the
indcmitablc pluck displayed hy the
Ncrmontrr, sent for him, aud did
actually engage him; and Il IL said