The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-08-30
The Brakeman'S No.

A fine young fellow was Tom ,Jeffreys,
strong, pleasant and good looking. He
was but eighteen when he first began
''railroading, but he could set brake
with the best. When his clear deep voice
announced the stations, people stoned
and made no mistake. 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
friend and made use of him. Nor were
the railroad officials blind to the young
mans helpfulness and popularity, and,
although Tom did not dream of it, his
was one on list of names that meant
promotion.
The young brakeman's easy-goino
good nature, however, was drawback
in one direction. He disliked to say no.
When train reached Boston he always
had two hours to spare. In that time
some one of the boys was sure to say,
'Come, Tom, let's 90 to the BARRIERS"
Now this sounded very innocent, but
in the barber's back room was green
door which opened on stairway lead
ing down into drinking saloon. Here
the men used to gather, few at time,
and take "a 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 aga n 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 BARRIERS
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.. Jetfrevs, 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, dsheartened. What he had been
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 frmer
curve. The next day one of the boys
said Comm over to the barber sP'
NO" replied Tom.
''Oh, come on, what's struck yer?'
THAT barber has shaved me all he
ever will!'' was the answer.
Although Toms no, seemed very de-
termined 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
mo use in lockin' the barn door
now" said his chum; 1.-THE boss is stole,
the SUPER knows you've taken q
smile now and then, and he'll never for
get 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-
tlondASt