West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1890-02-13
THE ENGINEERS STORY,
by ARTHUR popnr,

by ARTHUR DODGE,
Did you ever hear Of railroad Presi.
ent running as fireman on an engine2
Nell, know of one who did, and. if
you've got time 20 listen to it, I'll tell
you the story now while | smoke this
cigar you were kind enough 70 give me.
1t was along in the summer of 'S5 that
was firing on a single track, one-horse
road, that runs up from Junction CITY
through Georgetown, matter of "A hun
dred and ten miles. The road was most.
ly owned 10y man named Thedford-4
William b. Theford--who was President
and Superintendent Rll in one. | had
been firing on the road for two wears
back; all the time with one engineer.
Bob Hunter by name, and finer man
never lived. ! suppose il would be only
natural for me 70 speak well of Bob.
anyway, for l was clean head over ears in
love with his pretty daughter Molly; and
was only waiting for bit of raise in my
pay to make her Mrs. Jim Martin.
Though / didn't see any chance fc< that
raise where l was, | didn't like TO leave
and go on another road, for that would
take me away from Molly.
One day Bob says 10 me:
Jim, amt you and Molly never poin'
to get married?"
Just as soon as l can get my raise, "
says l; "but / don't see how Pm going TO
get 1t here"
"Why don't you go and ask Binyin
says he.
You see Billy was what we always
called Mr.. Thedford--behind his back,
OF course, for / warrant you We were
mighty polite to his face.
He won't do anything for me. " savs
l, Tor you know either one Of the clean
ers up 70 Georgetown would be glad
enough 70 jump into my place, and he
amt a-going to give me raise just to
please me. D."
"Well, says Bob, "it won't do any
hurt to try it."
80 next day washed MP and went 20
the company's offices and asked for Mr.
Thedford. After few minutes he sent
word for me that he would sec me. and
IN went. There be sqt-a large, heavily
built man, with large side whiskers and
pair Of gold trimmed eye glasses on his
nose.
"What is it my man? I'm very busy"
says he.
So up and told him what 7 wante I.
"liow much arc you getting nows"
says he.
'Forty-fvc n month, says 1.
Then he purscd up his lips, and
hemmed and hawed little, and SAYS:
81 don't see how we can give YOU any
thing more, my good fellow. Yours is
not very responsible position: merely
one that requires little bodily strength.
And VIC can find plenty OF men who
would be only too glad TO take your
place at that salary"
with that he turned TO a letter he was
writing. and knew ! had no more bust
ness there.
! tell you I felt sore to be told it
didn't take much TO know how 10 fire an
engine, and came mighty near throwino
my job up and trying to get i'm on an
other road, But Molly persuaded me %
hold on little longer.
Vow before ! como to the particular
point Of this yarn I want 10 tell YOU
little about the road. I have said il was
single track road running from juno
tion City TO Georgetown The latter
place was n little town Of five or six hum
dred inhabitants; but in summer q great
many Chicago people came up there. and
50 / suppose tho road paid Anyhow.
Thedford who had q summer place there,
was rich enough 10 run the road for him
self alone, IL hc wanted to.
Bob lived at Georgetown and boarded
with him Our trips began at eight I'm
the morning, and we generally ran the
hundred and ten miles in five hours. Then
ut three in the afternoon we came back
getting homo at eight. As soon ag vyc
reached the round-houso at Georgetown
our days work was over, for the cleaners
took the engine then, cleaned and pol
ished her aud laid the fire al ready to
start next morning.
Well, as said, hung on 60 my lob.
hoping that something would turn up
that would give me a lift, tin one dav fin
August. The whole summer had been
uncommon hot, but that day went ahead
Of anything ever saw. or course. while
we were running VIC had n breeze. but
the minute we stopped 10 seemed ag if VIC
were in furnaces and naturally. work
ing as we were near a hot FIRE didn't
improve things any. On the home trip
Bob was taken sick and had all he could
do 70 hold ont till we got 20 the home
station, when he got home as soon as
possible. After the train was empticI ] .
ran tho engine to the round house. ex-
pccting 70 go straight home and wash I
up.
But when I had run the engine in. The
first thing / saw was my two cleaners laid +
out on heap Of ashes dead drunk
Here was g pretty mess, for it would ceg.
tainiy take me until midnight 10 get tho .