The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1884-08-22
The Brakeman's No.

a uu6 1Oull22 1tlOW WAS lOul C0uI61Sg
strong, pleasant and good looking. He
was but eighteen when he first began
''railroading," but he could set a brake
with the best. When his clear deep voice
announced the stations, people Estenedl
and made nomistake. Old ladies caught
the CLEAN of his pleasant eve, and let
him help them on and off with grateful
surprise. Mothers with more children
than they could manage, tired women
bundle-laden and old men recognized a
friend and made use of him. Nor were
the railroad officials blind to the youngi
mans helpfulness and popularity, and,l
although Tom did not dream of it, his
was one on list of names that meant
promotion.
The young brakeman's easy-goingi
good nature, however, was a drawback
in one direction. He disliked to say no.
When train reached Boston he al
ways had two hours to spare. In that
time some one of the boys was sure to.
say, 'Come, Tom, let's 60 to the bar,
ber's."
Now this sounded very innocent, but.
in the BARRIERS back room was a green.
door which opened on stairway lead.
ing down into drinking saloon. Here
the men used to gather, a few at time,
and take ga little something"
Tom usually said his good-humored
no, that meant reluctant yes, and
ended by going. He never felt wholly
at ease when taking his beer. He would
not have gone for it alone. Over and
over again he acknowledged to himself
that it was the laughter Of his chums
that took his courage away, and so
things went on. A year slipped by and
beer had become almost an everyday
drink with him, when one afternoon he
was summoned from the 'barber's
shop" to the Office.
"Jeffreys," said the Superintendent,
when he entered, 81 have been very
much pleased with the way in which
your duties have been performed on the
road in the past, and | find we need
another conductor The gentleman
suddenly stopped and the pleasant
smile was gone. ''Mr. Jeffreys, your
breath tells me that you have been
drinking"
"Only little beer, sir" said poor
Tom, flushing crimson.
81 am very sorry," replied the Super
intendent, ''but that will be all to-day;
you may 60"
The young man left the Office DOWN
cast, disheartened. What he had beeni
wishing for, what he had so nearly
gained, had been lost through his own
misconduct. AS he thought of it the
good-natured lips took on a frmer
curve. The next day one of the boys
said: "Comin' over to the barber So"
No." replied Tom.
sob, come or, what's struck yer?'
"That barber has shaved me all he
ever willr' was the answer.
Although Toms no, seemed very de-
tefmined in its sound. there was yet
something wanting in it. He felt it,
and when after few days the real
longing for glass of liquor began to-
make itself felt, it seemed as if the no
would be yes, in spite of himself.
''No use in 1ockln' the barn door
now," said his chum; 1.-THE boss is stole,
the super knows you've taken
smile now and then, and he'll never
forget it. Better be young, while you
can"
Tom still said no, but the little mega
tive grew weaker and weaker; the next
thing it would be yes. When this was
almost accomplished, spurred by his
danger, and remembering his early
training in the right, he went into an
empty car, and kneeling on the bare
floor, prayed for strength to resist.
.'And them" he said, 81 learned to
speak no that all the men on the road
couldn't turn into a yes. Congrega-
GoaGList.