New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-07-24
How Brakeman Became General
superintendent,

How a Brakeman Became General
superintendent,
In the earlier years of my experience
as aprinter in Chicago, more than twenty
years ago, our firm did good deal of
printing for the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad, and, because of this, I
came to know a young man who is the
subject of my story He came from Mas
sachusetts, was poor, and had no, influen-
tial friend to even give him letter of
recommendation. He sought employment
on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Rail
road, and, after waiting a time, at last
secured the position Of brakeman on a
: freight train salary about thirty dollars
month. He was faithful in his position
and, being both intelligent and industrl-
Gus, he was soon made conductor of the
train, with wages nearly doubled. He at
tracted the attention OF his superior off
GERS who saw in him an honest, faithful and
conscientious conductor, one not seeking
his own esse or pleasure, but constantly
devoted to the interests Of the company
that employed him, so that not many
months elapsed before he was made con-
ductor of a passenger train--a more COM
Portable position, and one yielding so ne
what higher salary. Here I first knew
him, and saw in him quiet, unassum-
ing young man free from the popular
vices, and one who tried to be Just as
faithful and true and devoted to his work
as conductor as though the position had
been that Of General Superintendent
One OF the sternest and most exacting,
and yet one of the noblest, ablest and
most conscientious, men that ever filled
a position was then General Superintcnd-
ent of the road. This man Col. g. G.
Hammond, watched every employe of
the road with an eagles eye. He meas
ured every man, knew the ability of each.
and seemed intuitively to know which
were the lazy shirks. Our young con
ductor did not escape the keen eye.
When he least thought of 1t his chief was
measuring and sounding him, and find
ing out what kind of metal he was made
of; but none eyer knew whether he was
approved or not, for the chiefs look was
always stern and cold as ice.
One Saturday morning train No.
moved slowly out of Chicago under the
care Of nv friend, who, only intent on
doing his work as well as he knew how,
seemed to have no higher ambition than
to be good conductor-salary 5000 a.
year. About noon, when he stopped at
station, he found a telegram from the
head office ordering him to "leave the
train in the care of-,and take the
first train for Chicago"
This was an unsual thing. Wonder
ing what could be the matter, conscious
that he had tried to do exactly right, and
yet remembering how exacting was the
General Superintendent, he feared that
unintentionally he had fallen under his
displeasure. With fearful heart he
presented himself at the office of the
Superintendent
Good morning, Mr.. Hammond; l
have received your telegram and come to
see what it means"
Good morning." growled the chief;
II see you have, sir, I have concluded to
take your train away from you"
The conductors heart sank lower than
ever What before was only fearful fore
boding was now painful truth. He had
served the company to the best Of his
ability. He had kept the affairs of his
train in complete order, his reports had
been carefully and correctly made; and
yet, after all, lost his position. He dared
not hope to reverse the decision OF the
all-powerful official, yet in as calm
voice as he could command he politely
asked the reason for his summary dismis-
sal.
Col. Hammond waited while before
he answered. Then the muscles of his
face relaxed little, and he said g
want an Assistant Superintendent in ny
Office, and [ have called you to take
the place.
True worth is always modest, and our
thunnerstruck conductor could only STAN
mer: But am not competent, sir, to
fill the position
You can do what tell you; you can
obey orders, can't you? That's all you
have to- do, sir. You will begin work this
morning. That is your desk"
The new duties were not as difficult as
he expected. At first he had only to obey
orders, and carry out the details of work
laid out by the chief; and to these duties
he brought the same faithfulness and
thoroughness that had made him notice
able as a conductor. His elevation did
not spoil him or make HIM vain. He was
as plain and modest and harss -working
as before. His salary at first was ST 800.
After few years service under Col.
Hammond, and an advance of salary to
$4,000, the plain young man was invited
to take the office Of Genera. Superinten-
dent of younger road, at salary of 81,
000 Distrusting his own ability, but
determined to do his best, he accepted