The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-06-10
.FINNEGAN'S LAY OFF.


When BARLEY Finnegan took No. 10,
Ind was sent up from Scranton with the
lew engine, he was received by members
III the Buffalo division with marked signs
IL disfavor. The Brotherhood of Loco
Motive Engineers were no more fraternal
b their feelings than many other brother
Hoods, the philanthropic titles of which
could seem to insure peace, good will and
II fair showing to all concerned. Not only
.kas Finnegan slurred on account of his
Edandy cab" in which he had made free to
lang a well framed picture of the presi-
Eent of the road, but his wife was duly
Rubbed by the wives of confrere en-
Eneers, and the first social calls were
hose made by the wives of firemen and
<rakemen.
"Well, let 'em stay away, if they want
J." said Mrs. Finnegan, tacitly acknowl-
! aging the power of railroad caste; 81 don't
Blk no odds of 'em. | feel just exactly as
| bod as big bug; an what is an engi-
eer's wife to a conductors or a super
tendent's anyhow? She can't dress,
Ibr 90 in near the society. I've been &C
{astomed to exchangin' civilties with con-
1ctors' wives, an if they choose to set me
bwn among brakemen's an firemen's it's
eir own mistake, an they can find it
IT."
"You haven't dressed much since we
/ me away from Scranton" suggested
Itnnegan, as he refilled his pipe.
HE was a quiet, easy going man, who
ked to see family matters shove along
tn the same lubricant smack with which
engine moved.
That's the way find 'em out" laughed
rs. Finnegan. when they've showed
emselves bit I'll just let 'em see me to
urch in my blue silk an the di'mon's
u give me last Chris mas"
but you amt doin' exactly the square
ing, Mag. If they'd known you could
ess we'll, they would Nv known where to
you, and you'd gone thro' all right, but
it is, they've side tracked you till they
d out what you're loaded with"
Twas on your account, Barley" Mrs.
nnegan sat down on the back steps be-
e her husband and took the pet terrier
her lap. They've all been mean to you,
d I don't care if they do bite off their
ses. You amt been invited huntin', nor
bin, nor to join any lodge, nor even to
to prayer meetin'."
Maybe they think don't need it."
That'n do for talk. There, Fidol don't
" so. They're jealous o. your daisy en-
e, BARLEY, and that's all there is to it.
Tinnegan looked meditative, and caressed
bowl of his meerschaum with greasy
efnger tip.
faint for them to be jealous when
earned it by being careful. I've never
no accidents of any kind, an Pve been
missed that engine for six months. Lordl
as in the car shops when they was put
her together-every piece as perfect as
be Almighty ID done it himself"
It's the purtiest engine that sleeps an
zes in the round house." said Mrs. Fin
an enthusiastically 81 b'lieve I'd be
Gus myself if / was man an had to
greasy old thing like Decker's."
innegan did not need to have his pride
ckened. He was only too well aware
his pet was fine piece of machinery
Try bearing worked as if fabricated by
ing synovia, and the brass cleaned in
hes Of light as if its sole duty were to be
shining exponent of adjacent parts. No
hting was to him more beautiful than
fil1ny rings that circled from the spec
stack when the air for miles was vapor-
azure; no music so welcome to his ear
be Swift pulse that stirred the wheels
life, and the impetuous steam that
ght escape, kissing and seething over
cold steel, and filled the lungs with
st inhalations.
rs. Finnegan shared his enthusiasm.
laRa of oh lslrar, no ,,l l,a l.,
olive quite warmed her heart.
Fadually the Finnegans made for them
Is position in the neighborhood in
th they had settled. Finnegap had be-
an accepted, though disagreeable
by his comrades on the road, and
Finnegan had conciliated her neigh
by numerous morning calls and Cos
She was always jolly, and never
bed TO have anything to do. There
only one family that stood out in bit
ess and jealousy.
b Decker had been transferred to the
alo division shortly before Finnegan.
Fas man who never got ahead, but
through convivial habits, made
Ids rapidly. Short, thick set, with a
TO his mouth and a twinkle in his
one would hardly credit him with a
ow of i'll feeling; but under the guise
oke or jest some of his sharpest
sts were given. He had the repu-
y d of being a first rate fellow, and was
Iwhere welcome on account of his
b wit and ability to raise a laugh.
one remarked TO him one day that
egan understood the Bible, even if he
hn engineer, and that he ought TO be
ed TO lead IN some of the r Y. NJ. c.
ceilings.
es," twinkled Decker. THAT was
eason he got transferred, guess. He
1together too bibul-ous"
pm that remark the rumor grew that
egan had been a hard drinker; vet
er was the last person suspected of
Pg started II. He never openly &C
knnegan of anything. That he felt
toward the company was known
a casual remark IN presence OF a ca
full:
eon as man gets married an has s.
y, luck's agin him. Take man with
hildren an luck chases him up like a
kne life insurance agent. Amt no
e In giving long runs an the best
res TO men that has only wife nm
support Here I've got six children
VIC dogs, an how many sEnashups do
called out 70, an what sort of rattle
pulls my trains through"
We us rest, Decker" came from
\ blue flannel shirt and greasy cap.
dren don't alters make the difference.
ne way you manage your coal an
?. Every man'll pull just so much,
ed or single. Build i'm for freight.