The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-05

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Then this man had five days rest. Thi
workingmon was flying through space a
the rate OF forty miles an hour. In tina
time, on an average, he handled 1900
pounds OF trunks. AS he lifted each trunk
at least five times, he bent his muscles tC
tug at 225, 900 pounds of dead weight every
two nights and day. His months work
aggregated about 100000 pounds Of lift
ing, Think of that, fair lady with the 81.
gantic 'Saratogls," rs you complain of the
man who knocked Off corner brace,
Why, my gentle sister, that is more
pounds than you win lift, with your soft
muscles, III lifetime.
This man spends most of his working
hours on his feet; he walks and carries a
million pounds u month; he walks, too,
not on the firm earth, but on the swaying,
lodging, rceking, jumping, bounding sur
face of car. He staggers; he braces forty
muscles 10 walk whcre.you brace one. The
jar is an injury TO the kidneys, provoking
their dlsintegration. Nearly all railway
men are subject, more or less, to kidney
trouble; If they are stalwart enough Ia
escape it, yet they dread il, and sec their
companions struck down under il. The
jar OF the baggage car Is even worse than
the engines, On express trains, iavorito
with the public the ear is often loaded ia
such degree that springs are practically
imperative.
THE men used to get of and crawl
under the ear ut B. said my friend,
TO see II there was any danger by the
humping. ! have seen great holes crushed
INTO the tlmbers of the ear. whore the load
pressed thom down on bolt-hcads, yes,
sir, holes big enough 10 put your fist I'M
The baggage is very spirit OF OWL On
curves the small stuff, hand bags and
diminutivo trunks, "ily at youlikc cannon
balls II you don't pile them carefully" In
case of any sudden stop, the whole pyra.
mid, my sweet lady, Is liable 10 crash over
on the unfortunate man. In times Of col
lision the chaos OF the baggage car is muir.
der. Trunks, stoves, chairs, man, are
shot, like lightning, to the forward end of
the ear. From that shattered mass, on
which the lamp spills the unholy oil oi a
sacrilicial fire, there goes up such flame
Of death us no pen can describe All sorts
Of devices have been attempted 10 iastcn
trunks IN place to prevent this possible
pulvcr2ing OF men under the terrible trip
hammers OF your silks and accs but none
have ever yet been found practicable.
There tolls the litter Of a million pounds,
not knowing what instant ley may be-
broken or his whole person crushed. I'm
doubleday the baggage car is the most dan
GUS post ON train.
The dust hurts his oycs. The lamp
light and the attempt to write up his rec
ord and report 10y the dim, dusty light.
gives him graduated cyclids aud stvcs.
His eating is irregular, and few escape dys-
pcpsia and kindred disorders. Often these
men are dosing with special medicines TO
assist nature, till their systems are actually
dependent upon specifics these giants
who lit million pounds month Tho
very hours OF meals are the hours at juno
tons whom hunger must 10 denied.
Often the transfer Of baggage Immediately
succeeds hearty dinner and the heaviest
work must be done just then or not ut all.
The low roof of the car makes il an oven,
under the sunheams, nj stations. No
breeze there; the train is still. vet that il
the very time OF the hardest toll. In win
ter the open door for the reception oi bag
gage at station suddenly cools the hot ear
below zero; the blast buirits the toilcr rs
ho hastily lifts his burdens. Thus they
20 from furnace TO irigid cold.
These mon are much away from home.
The illness OF the family aud child's
birthday party are alike attended 10 with
the iathcr away, living through space,
lifting his million pounds. The wages are
from $50 10 $40 per month. They must
board themselves. Many roads compel
them TO wear n uniform which they must
pay Tor out OF their own pockets uni.
forms that are dislgrccablc badge ul
service, 10 be- worn In the streets. The
clerical labor asked of the modern bug
gigc master is Of the first order No Ounce
can do il. lie must record where piece
ia taken on, whittier II liz going, what
check II wears and the number, and II Ia
damaged condition mention the fact. lilo
Is charged with considerable mail from
station 10 station on business OF the road
lie is often made responsible for United
States mail bags and express matter.
What are the chances vi promotion2'
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"On through route one In buried out
Of sight. lie may work for twenty years
unnoticed. II lac is good man they let
lin alone aud forget him. II a man runs
on Dolly Warden short train, In or out OF
the city. the president or some official gets
into his car occasionally, aud 10 lac boz
comes known aud promoted. I've been
just where ! am now for nineteen years. T"
God help aud care for him, say 1.