The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-30

bosom looked as if some one had thrown a
pail of dirty water over him. His hands
were torn and cut, from handling the wood,
and take it altogether he was the most un-
likely looking railway president ever saw.
Once in awhile / had to shout at him to lay
the wood more even in the furnace, and
would tell him he would get the knack of It
in time,
Whenever he tried to rest I told him we
were losing steam, and If he wanted to
catch that train he mustn't idle over The
work. If l had thought to hitch a car on
when started We would have run much
smoother; but it was too late to think of
that now, and SO on we rushed, now through
woodlands, now past grain fields. lurching
frat to one side and then to the other, until
l expected every minute to land wrong side
up i'll the ditch.
However, luck was with US that night,
and we pulled up at Junction City at just
down from the engine. but he managed to
gasp out:
Come to my Office at two O'Clock next
Saturday"
l learned afterward that finding the
Chicago train was behind time, he hunted
up q clothing shop and rugged himself out
so as to look like q civilized man, which he
didn't when he lett me.
l managed to find a fireman who was will
ing to make the run back with me, and |
finally got home at three O'Clock, and find
ing the cleaners a little soEered up, got to
played out. ] told Bob about my trip next
day, and thought he would die laughing to
think of old Billy playing fireman. But all
he said was:
Pm afraid thatll settle your hash. jim,
for he will find out that you worked him
more than was needed"
The noxt Saturday, at two O'Clock, l re-
1,prtai at thc rraciHapf3a nffioa Unnlaripr
whether l was going to be rewarded for my
extra work or kicked out for my impu-
dence.
When I entered the office, there sat the
old man. spick and span as ever and show
ing no signs Of his hard work.
We'll. young man" says he, you helped
me out the other night, but l would not 60
through the same experience again for $10,-
600. AT the same time l think you were
trying to get even with me for not doing
what you asked about your salary, and l
have concluded that this line can dispense
with your services"
AT this my heart went down into nv
boots, for | can tell YOU il isn't I'm easy
thing to get a new job when you can't
bring a Recommendation from your last
place.
Then he went on to say:
~ have a letter here from the superinten-
of the Chicago Il Western, asking
who has a sharp eye and cool head to run
their new fast night express. have writ
ten i'll reply that I can recommend such a
man, one James Martin, who will report
for service the lst of September. The pay
will be 500 a month. I may add to YOU
privately that l shall never apply to you
for the position of fireman. Good day,
SIR"
That's all there is to my story. Molly
were married and went to Chicago to
i've. l took the new train, and have
brought her in on time every trip I've run,
so you can see I've a pretty good record
with the company. I've never seen Billy
and | don't believe he wants to see
for Bob told me last tins l saw him
hat they all called the old man MARTINS
fireman." that he knew it, and naturally
ildnt Ike It,. There's my mate signaling
or me now, sir, and l must go.