The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-09-10
Hiring A Brakeman.


stout-looking innocent about six feet in
his stockings, with thews and thighs TO
match, stood In the depot ut Worcester,
gazing with evident admiration at the
''bran newn cars and snorting locomotive,
which had Just arrived at the station. A
roguish citizen who stood near him, watch
cd his undisguised wonder attentively, and
drawing near entered into conversation
with him.
He was "down from Vermont arter
work, and wanted to git chance on one
o. these here railroads"
"Dop" said the other. "Why don't
you go and see the superintendent" ?"
"w-a-a-l, would Of knew whar to
find him."
"Oh, then. como along with me-rm
going right by his Office"
Accordingly of went the twain, straight
to tho store where the dcmurest Of all
hoaxcrs, Jem B., stood like o patriar-
chal spider waiting for any unsophistlcat-
cd human fly that might founder In his
net.
"Ah!' said tho wag. who acted as pi-
lot there he Is. Here's young man,
Mr., B., who wants berth on tho road rs
brakeman"
Jem was posted Immediately.
"Well, I don't know, We've had n
good 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, I will talk to you. Have
you been accustomed to railroading ?"
"W-a-a-l. no, I amt but I guess I
could learn It mighty soon. What's the
wages ?" .s LOO rrelr
"Thirty-six dollars month and
Clothes"
"w-a-a.l, mister, I'm ready, cfyou say
so. to take right hold"
"Very well then, I'll send you out on
this train but wish to put you on your
guard with reference TO ono matter, and
that Is, there Is set Of troublesome fell
lows continually hanging round tho train,
pretending to belong to the road. Some
ofthcm may interfere with you. II they
do put them offthc cars ut once-tell them
put you on tho train, and take no or
dcrs or impudence from any of them. As
to your duties when you hear one whis-
tic, screw on your brakes; II two alarms
are sounded, screw them down hard; and
then when three are given, loosen the
brakes for the train to 60 on. III 60 with
you and put you on tho train. You re-
turn here tonight, and then I will sec
about your boarding place."
Accordingly down they went to the sta
ton, and there the pretended supcrintend-
ent showed his employee the brakes, and
mode Of using thcm-leaying him with u
fresh injunction to "knock down any one
who attempted to interfere 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 the legitimate brakeman.
"Jump off there in q hurry, II you don't
want your head broke"
Jonathan looked ut his rude intcroga-
tor "a small many with contempt, but dis
daincd to reply.
"S-h.rcc s-h.rcc |! who-o-oo ~ went
the whistle, and the new brakeman screw
cd away for life. until snap went the
chain. .....
This was tho cup too much, and of
went the infuriatcd little brakeman for
assistance.
"What arc you doing there ?" asked
the conductor, who returned with the man !;
and stepping upon the car. placed his
hand upon Jonathan with view to sum-
mary ejcctment. A brief struggle cnsued
ut the termination of which the conductor
lay sprawling upon his hack, with the
small brakeman's head jammcd between
his legs.
"comc on, ye darned heathins !" shout
cd Jonathan, now fairly roused-"come
on I'll learn yo to cut up ycrdidos around
me. TIN hired, I bc. Mr.. hired
me for this bizness. and Of I don't learn
yo to tend to your own, it'll bc coz yer
stoutcr'n I be-"
A fresh struggle cnsued between our he
ro and some half dozen others employed
on the train, who had gathered around,
and Jonathan was finally ovcrpowcrcd.
when an explanation took place and the
superintendent "storc" was sought for,
but could not be found, rs the incorrigible
wag had not been so incautious rs to make
tho engagement in his own store and nj
though he was strongly suspcctedas being
the author Of tho too practical joke, no
proof could be had, for by shrewd man
agcment of the muscles of his face, and
cool assurance, aided by q different dress.
no succeeded In arguing Jonathan out OF
his suspicion, the latter having charged
him with the hoax. The best part OF the
Joke was the dcnoucment. The actual
hearing of the affair, and
of the indomitablc pluck displayed by the
Yermontcr, sent for him, and did actually
engage him and II Is said that he now sat
isfnctorily fills an important post upon
one of the great western roads,-Nor,cioh
advertiser.
For TIE LADIEs.-If wiltcd flowers
have about half mn inch of their stems