Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-06-25
what 4 freight master Dfd.

An engine bumped against some emp
TIL cars In the early dawn Of winter
morning. IA boy who had been asleep
in one Of them was thrown, dazed and
bewildered, against the door, which he
had pulled to when he crawled into the
car the night before.
Just then brakeman thrust his head
into the car, and reached for his jacket,
which he supposed was hanging where
he left it, He was somewhat surprised
to find boy on it. and took it from him
without ceremony.
"Now get out of here!" he said,
thrusting the boy from the door. @H I
catch You In one OF these cars again, I'll
give you to policeman!
whats be been up to, Bill?" said q
man who was putting freight into the
next car.
Up to my coat he said, giving it a
vigorous shake as he walked off.
The boy looked dirty and detected. as
he limped along by the side of the
track. The man who had spoken called
after him:
"Hhllo. there! Do you want iob?"
The boy turned back quickly.
eff you'll help me load them firkins,
I'll pay you for it; but you'll have to
work spry."
The prospect of little money
frightened the boy, and he set to work
in earnest, though he was stiff and
cramped and hungry.
"Do you live round here?" asked the
man.
The boy shook his head.
"In case we should want to hire boy
about your size, can you give me any
recommendation as to your character ?"
The boys face flushed, but he made
no answer. The man watched him mar
rowly, and when the car was loaded,
handed him % cents, saying: Were
short of hands in the freight-room. Do
you think you'd like the job?"
Eyes, ! would like it." The boys
face was almost painful in it's eagerness
as he followed the man to the freight
| room.
"Now," said the freight-man, seating
| himself on box, well have a bit of
talk before we get to business. l don't
know anything about you, except that
you're cold and hungry; you look that.
But think it is likely that you've got
in some scrape, for if you hadn't you
wouldn't be loafng about stations and
sleeping in freight cars. I'm not going
to ask you if you have done anything
wrong, but am going to ask if you've
got mother"
"No; she's dead"
"Got any father or folks that belong
to you?'
"I've an uncle and some cousins"
well, now, if you had a mother, I'd
send you to her in no time, for there is
nothing that q mother won't forgive
but uncles and cousins are different.
"If recommend you at the Office,
they'll take you; but mind, if I do it,
I'm going to watch you as cat does a
mouse. You'll have to spend your
evenings snd Sundays with me.
Il went wrong myself when was nc
older than you are," lowering his voice.
"An' if it hadn't been for my mother
Well, that was long time ago. You've
got switched upon the wrong track ]
am very sure, and as you haven't any
mother to help You get on the right one
God helpin' me, I'll do it, if you'll lei
me.
"Preachin' isn't in my line, but there's
just one thing you don't want to forget
and that is the good Father is giving
you chance now to get back where
you can do right and feel right. Are
you going to take it,"
The boy answered family that he
would try. He was taken into the
freight-yard, and was under his new
friends eye constantly, and it was not
long before the man had SO won his
confidence that he told him his story.
There was trouble and dishonesty con,
nected with it, but for two years the lad
proved himself faithful and trustworthy
in his new occupation. He was then ad
yanced to more responsible position
but there was something almost pa
thetic in his devotion to the man who
had befriended him, and in this respect
for the religion he professed.
Here was practical Christianity
worthy any mans emulation. Youths
Companion.