Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-10-13
TIE NAN IN TIE PEPPER-BOx

TIE MAN IN TIE PEPPER BOX
The "pepper-box' was little octap-
onal house about six feet in diameter and
eight feet in height with a 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
armchair, and the curious little build
ing stood in railroad yard amid per-
fect network of switches and turnouts,
and was placed there to shelter the man
who watched the 8. know-nothine." or
crossings where two railroads inherent
each other at right angles.
Inc crossings of which I now write
were In the railroad yard of large man
utacturlng city and railroad center where
nearly every foot of land, with the ex-
ceptlon 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
mistake IN regard to the time that one
OF the numerous trains was due; and a
mlscalculation of half minute meant
more or less obstruction of life and prom
erty. Or, II ne was not constantly on the
lookout ard 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 .tboys. y
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 then 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 was.though t--and
lett him lying on the ground in a half
dazed, half stunned condition. Before
he regalned 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.
There was quite an ado made over the
affair. The conductor was blamed for
not bringing the train to stop before he
put the man of, and for leaving him part
ly On the track. The former was sus
pended NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. had been
many complaints entered yainst him be-
tore at the superintendent ofice-and
the poor victim was carried to the CITY
hospital where the superintendent of the
road, and very kind hearted man, him
sell went to see that he was well cared
for.
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 we'll 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 dis
NAL retrospect of his life and to make
plans fer useful, honorable future.
"Ihls is the first time have been com
pletely sober for years." he said to the
surgeon, who was very attentive and
kind to him. 81 feel exactly as if had
been away from my true self all this
dreadful time, and had just got back into
my Old body again-as used to be when
| was somebody in the world"
AS soon as poor Paul was able to hob
BILE about on 8. crutch, the whole-souled
railroad superintendent came to the hos
pital and had long interview with the
surgeon in regard to him. There was
such quiet dignity about the man. such
native goodness of heart, honesty in &C
ton and purpose, that these two gentle
men had made up their minds not to
turn the crippled patient out upon the
world when he should have recovered,
but on the other hand to do something
Tor him. You may give him situation
where there is some responsibility; where
he will have something to ttke up his
mind constantly" said the good surgeon
The pepper box down in our yard is
the llveliest place l know OF for green
hand" said the superintendent. II will
give him the day watch there"
And so he did, telling big Mike, the
old and faithful switchman on side
track near by, to keep a sharp watch up
on him, however. There's not man on
the road sir, as needs less watchin' than
old Serious, reported Mike at the end of
the month; she jist minds his own bust
ness"
One day as the superintendent was
walking in the yard, Paul said to him 81
can do the day and night work both just
as we'll if you will increase my pay and
let me build an addition to my house in
the shape Of dry goods box in which l
can stretch myself out between trains at
night; there's room for it in the triangle
Downing, the night watch, told me to-day
that he must throw up his job, his rheu-
matism had got such a hold upon him
Besides, can easily wake at any given
time at night; was noted IN the army
for that wi en- on guard and picket putty
Very vel, " replied the superintend-
ent, u am willing you should try it
Downing spoke to me just now about
giving up his joo.' In this case little
Mike, the night Waterman, was instruct.
ed to have an eye out to see that Paul
kept the right signal lights at his window
| So Pau1 made the nnear odd;+;on +o ~,