Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1892-09-02

Brakeman Joc
His regular work was |I
goodness knows; and when, in addition
70 IL. he had 70 make thorough exaui-
nation OF the whole train az every stop
ping place, peering by the light % his
lantern between and underneath the cars
for tramps who might be stealing ride,
he felt that he had good cause % dis
like them. Sometimes he had hard
tussles before dislodging them from
their perches and roosts, and many an
ugly blow had he received while per-
forming this duty. He had therefore
learned to deal very promptly, not TO
say roughly, with this portion OF the
travelling public whenever he found
them on or in the cars under his charge.
On this particular night he had made
sure as he thought before starting that
there was not q tramp on the train. and
had in consequence been anticipating
comparatively easy trip. And here vas
a whole nest Of them suugly slowed
away in car No. col. A dog, tool 10
was aggravating, and, under the circum-
stances, 1t is not 10 be wondered at that
nt HuSEAtu EltA4l uuN NAluQAA IAMNl Et-
gard to their feelings.
Both Arthur and Unclo Phin had
been suddenly awakened, and greatly
alarmed, when Brakeman Joe first
slammed and locked the door OF the car
in which they had taken refuge from the
storm. They had confused idea that
they had been asleep, though for how
long they could not tell, and now they
could no longer see the lighted clock
above the railway station. IL might
even be midnight and time for their
train to come along, for all they knew.
They shouted and kicked against the
locked door, and Rusty barked; but all
in vain. The conductor and Brakeman
Joe had walked away before these
noises began, and there was no one else
to hear them.
Then the engine came and pushed and
pulled the car about, until they had not
the slightest idea OF the direction in
which they were moving. 1t might be for
ward or backward, east or west, for all
they could tell. Nor was their situation
improved when the train, Of which car
No. POI finally formed part pulled out Of
the railway yard, and started on its long
journey. They had no idea which way
1t was going, and Arthur could have
cried as he reflected that they might be
travelling in exactly the opposite direc-
tion from that they wished TO take, and
might be carried hundreds OF miles be-
fore their car door was again unlocked.
AS he could not do this, because he was
Dale, no only hugged little Rusty,
and tried to be comforted by Uncle
Phin's assurances: dat de good Lawd
was er gwine ter keer fer dem, jes' like
He did fer de sparrers, whose hairs was
all counted so as dey shouldn' fall to de
groun'."-
Arthur's unhsppineSs was increased
by the fact that be could nowhere feel
his precious book. 1t had slipped from
his grasp as be slept, and now was no
where to be found. Thus the first stage
of their journey by rail was most un-
happy one. and they were glad to forget
their sorrows in the sleep that again
overcame them, few minutes before
the train made its first stop.
The Arden station was very small
one, in lonely place, with no houses
near it. 1t was only platform with
freight shed at one end, and a more for
lorn place for a stranger to be left on
dark, stormy night could hardly be i'm
agined Arthur and Uncle Phin were
not conscious OF the train stopping here,
and were only awakened from their
troubled sleep By the light from Brake
man Joe's lantern flashing In their faces
They were just sitting up and gazing
at him, in a bewildered way, when
this energetic young man hustled
them out of the car in his toughest
manner. IL was so rough, in fact. that
poor Uncle Phin, impelled by violent
push, slipped on the wet platform and
fell heavily. He struck one OF his
knees such q fearful blow that, for few
moments, he was unable TO rise, and lay
there groaning.
Aren't you ashamed Of yourself TO
treat an old man sop cried Arthur to
Brakeman Joe, as with flashing eyes
and quivering lips he sprang 10 his com
panion's side and endeavored 10 ralso
him to his feet
well, what business has the old
tramp got to be stealing ride on my
train?" replied the brakeman, sulkily.
though at the same time bending over
Uncle Phin and helping him up
He was not bad-hearted young man,
this Brakeman Joe; but only over
worked and much bothered by tramps.
On the contrary, he was goOd-natured,
and especially kind and gentle with old
people, for no had an old father
at home of whom he was the
sole support, and 70 whom no
was devoted. He had not noticed,
in the dim light, that Uncle
Phin was old and white-headed. He
had only regarded him as a tramp, who,
as everybody knows, is generally young
and strong and we'll able 70 perform the
labor that he refuses 10 undertake out
sheer laziness. So now he helped the
PROSTATE figure 10 it, feet, said he hoped
the old fellow was not much hurt, and
then returned 10 his task Of dragging
the six sacks of meal, that were 20 be
left at Arden, from the car.
Whats the matter here, Joo?" asked
the conductor OF the train. stepping up
at this moment.
'only a couple OF stowaways that
found stealing ride in this car" was
the answer.
ssTramps, eh?" said the conductor,
sharply, flashing the light from his
lantern Upon the two trembling figures
who stood before him. ~ dog. too" he
continued, land I'll warrant they
stole it. I've a mind 20 take 1t
in payment for their ride. II this
was a town I'd have you fellows ar
rested and locked up in less than no
~ 'sg.s II
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