The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-10-16

lol its worth was twenty dollars! Mrs.
Watson clapped her hands and fairly
shouted for joy. The needed dress and
pants were bought, and to this day, there
is no story which the minister and his
wife love SO we'll to tell as that of ''The
Wedding Fee.
THE MAN IN THE PEPPER-BOX
The "pepper-bOx' was little octag-
onal house about six feet in diameter and
eight feet in height with conical roof.
In one of the eight sides was little door
with window IN the top of it, and in
the other six sides there were small win
dows. The pepper-box was furnished
with one comfortable leather covered
arm chair, and the curious little build
ing stood in a railroad yard amid per-
feet network of switches and turnouts,
and was placed there to shelter the man
who watched the 6 know-nothing," or
crossings where two railroads intercept
each other at right angles.
The crossings of which I now write
were in the railroad yard of large man
ufacturing city and railroad center where
nearly every foot of land, with the ex-
ception of this little triangular spot of
ground where the pepper box" stood,
was covered with IRON rails. One would
naturally think it very confusing place
to be in. The man in the pepper-box
was obliged to keep level head on his
shoulders or he would be likely to make
a mistake in regard to the time that one
of the numerous trains was due; and
miscalculation of half minute meant
more or less obstruction of life and prop
erty. Or, if he was not constantly on the
lookout and alert, when he stepped out
side he was liable to be run over ana cut
to pieces by the regular or switching
trains -.
Paul serus. the pepper.box man, called
"Old Serious by the railroad 'sboys,"
was an object of interest to every one of
the scores Of employees on the several
roads, who passed and repassed his close
quarters every day. he had never been
seen or heard of by any of them until
dusty and travelworn he walked into the
passenger station one day in half intox-
Gated condition, and took the cars for
New York.
He refused to show his ticket or to paw
his fare, so the conductor. giving a pull
to the bell rope to have the train slowed
up, pitched the poor fellow off rather
too unceremoniously it wasIthought- and
left him lying on the ground in a half
dazed, half stunned condition. Before
he regained consciousness and was able
to get up, another train come along and
ran over and cut off one of his feet
that was lying on the rail. -.
j There was quite an ado made over the
affair. The conductor was blamed for
not bringing the train to a stop before he
put the man of, and for leaving him part
~ on the track. The former was sus-
pended indefinitely there had been
many complaints entered against him be-
fore at the superintendent ofice-and
the poor victim was carried: to the city
hospital where the superintendent of the
road, and a very kind hearted man, him
self went to see that he was we'll cared
for - ""'t.l3"
He became interested in the patient,
Paul Serus, and called to see him more
than once, and promised him job as
soon as he should. be well enough to take
it, on the condition, however, that be
should sign the pledge. The wounded
man promised faithfully to do so, and
while his mutilated stump of an ankle
was healing he had time to get thorough
ly sobered, to profit by the somewhat ,;s
NAL retrospect Of his life and to msI,
plans fer useful, honorable flture
''This is the first time Lave teen CIV,
pletely sober for years. he said to tn
surgeon, who was very atten tive an.
kind to him. ~ feel exactly rs if I ha,
been away from my true self all thi
dreadful time, and had just cot back int
my old body again-as I 'ased to be whe
was somebody in the vxorld.o
AS soon as poor Pau was able, to hot
bic about on crutct i, the whole-soule
railroad superinteni .lent came to the ho,
pltal and had a Long interview with tb
surgeon IN ree:ard to him. = There wa
sucn quiet dignity about the man, sue
natlVe gooo ness of heart, honesty in az
zion ana purpose, that these two gentle
men nalI made up their minds not t
turn che crippled patient out upon tn
word when he should have recovered
pit on the other hand to. do somethin
for him. You may give him a situatio
I where there is some responsibility; wher
he will have something to take. up hi
mind constantly" said the good surgeon
"The. 'pepper-box' down in our yard j
the liveliest place know Of for gree
hand" said the superintendent II vii
give him the day watch there" 5@s
| And so he did, telling big Mike, tn
old and faithful switchman on sid
track near by, to keep sharp watch ur
on him, however. There's not a man O
the road sir, as needs less watchin' tha
old Serious" reported Mike at the end {
the month; ,''he jist minds his own busi
ness" t.
One day as the superintendent wa
walking in the yard, Paul said to him: i"
can do the day and night work both ju.
as we'll ifyou will increase my pay an
let me build an addition to my house i
tt shape of a dry goods box in which
can stretch myself out between trains 8
night; there's room for it in the triangl,
Downing, the night watch. told me to-da