The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-05-13

Something About Railroad Will, His
Adventures and Misadventures.
From the Nelo York World.
Passengers taking Union elevated trains
at Adams street may have noticed two &C.
cupants OF the tioket-seller's box. They GER
tainly noticed them unless like many pas
sengers they were too holly bent on the
chase of their noses to notice anything.
One of the two is George Thomas, the
agent, kind old gentleman with a wise
and benevolent face.
The other is Railroad VIII.
Now, Win is one Of the greatest boys in
the whole Union compeny's service, and you
can just depend upon it that il he were run
ming things there would be no kerosene
lamps, no tanning two little cars with
enough people no fill big vestibule train,
no rip-tearing on one wheel around curves
no inconvenience of any kind, but every
thing would sail along like big four-track :,
stee.-railed trunk road, with block system
and plenty Of rolling stock.
That's big lot Of railroad genius for one
fellow to hold, but it is all wrapped up in
Railroad viii.
Wills public career began one hot day
last July. He strolled into the city hall
station along in the afternoon. That was a
brave climb, considering his age and size,
and it may be taken as the first evidence of
his soaring ambition. He had to hop from
step to step and rest on the way. Finally
he made it aud passing through the open
doors of the station he sauntered out upon
the platform, and selecting the coolest and
ARREST place thereabout he sat down. He
washed his face in his own ingenious fash
ion, so that the breeze might blow more
cody upon his cheeks and take away the
throbbing flush that the heat and the exer-
tion had brought.
AS he sat there awhile the perspiring
guards saw look Of resolution and content
ment steal into his face. He had measured
the prospect. decided favorably upon the
natural advantages of the spot and taken
out homestead claim right on the station.
There he remained one month, but the
ticket agent was detailed elsewhere, aud so
Will dug up stakes and trotted down the
long platform to the Adams street station
where he remains to this day. Up to this
time he had been cerelessly called Niger
and Tom, for his soft and glossy suit of fur
was black and he was just the gender for a
boys name. But as soon as good Mr..
Thomas saw him he was solemnly chrlstened
Will, which, when his rare abilities were
learned, became his present full name Of
Railroad VIII.
His life has passed uneventfully-that is.
up till last Saturday night. He has spent
most or his time, just as the WOTtd ARTIST
caught him, sitting by Mr. Thomas side on
the desk and keeping a check on the receipts
Sometimes he walked out. Saturday night
was one of the few times.
In an hour he came back. He climbed to
his perch, made a little moan and rubbed
his nose against his kind protectors hand.
Mr.. Thomass heart gave terrific leap for
when he looked at his hand there was blood
upon 1t. He seized Will and looked at his
face, and there, right across his left whis
ker. was a woful cut.
40, my bright eyes," almost sobbed Mr. &.
Thomas. "Some tramp has waylaid you.
Are you suffering"
AS VIII declared he was 80, and mighty
bad, too, Mr.. Thomas fetched and rubbed
some ointment on the wound and, joy to res
late, Will is almost we'll.
Now, they never got at the bottom OF the
attempt upon Wills life. but since that day
the boy who would sit out on the platform
in the steam of the passing engines. now
starts and trembles as the trains rush by.
Mr.. Thomas is very much distur bed, as are
all OF Wills many friends, and punishment
would fall heavily upon the culprit if the
guilt could ever be located. On his part
Will declines to be interviewed about it.
OF his many accomplishments the only
one ne ever parades is his ability to destroy
as much meat as anybody can set before
him, except on Fridays, when it's fish AS
Mr.. Thomas keeps IA liberal supply, Will
seems to have fat, large existence before
him if he just won't go out skylarking
Saturday nights.