The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-20

Down south-it doesn't for the purpose Of
this story make any difference in what state
there is railroad which is less than ten
miles long. 1t Is very good railroad, as
some railroads in the south go. 1t is run
by one man. OF course the directors, stock
holders and officers Of the system do not
believe this. But unprejudiced travellers on
the road. people who don't own any stock
in it and who haven't any friends that own
stock in it, know who is is that runs the
road. It's the conductor. He has boon
| running IL ever since it was built and no
| doubt he will run it as long as he lives.
The conductor is called the Captain
1t doesn't make any difference why. in fact,
nobody seems to know why, but there isn't
any doubt that he wears that title-and he
wears it proudly, too. There is one thing
which should be understood about him in
the beginning. He is pretty big man in
| his part or the country. In the first place,
he knows every man, woman, child, dog
and horse for five miles on each side of his
railroad. In the next place he is better
than daily newspaper, a base ball bulletin,
telephone and sewing -class-that is to
say, he knows everything that happens
along his railroad and he isn't a bit selfish
about his knowledge. He spreads it about
with lavish hand.
There is another trait which he possesses
not often found in plain, everyday conduc-
tors. he isn't proud. He knows his sta
ton, appreciates the great power which he
is, but this has not turned his head. For
instance, he is willing to be on friendly
terms with people. It doesn't make any
difference to him whether they are thirty
years older than he. whether one man owns
half the county and another was a general
in the war; it is ali the some TO him. He
likes them just as much, no matter what
their class, no matter what their degree.
A northern man once had the great honor
to he passenger on the two-car train of
this potentate. He wanted to make con-
nections with another railroad, and, as he
had five hours in which to make the nine
miles between him and the desired station,
he got on the "locap with feelings OF con-
fidence, for nine miles is a short distance,
five hours long time. The train was a
little late in starting, perhaps mstter Of an
hour or two, but the serene manner, the
calm air, the placid smile, and the express
sion of great content of the conductor, left
no room for doubts or misglvings.
The conductor, when the train finally
started, began to take up tickets In this
way:
"Hullo Jim" he said to a gray>haired,
military>looking man in the first seat of the
only coach chow are your Then he
punched his ticket and added:
"Well, what dye think Of the Sullivan
Corbett fight"
Jim" mad some views on the subject,
and the conductor sat down in the seat be-
side him and began to talk prize-fghting
Fifey.avs minutes later he gos16p.
eaHptio," he said, "wers stopped. amt
WEI and he peered out Of The window to
see II be train was really not in motion.
5He was right. 1t was stuppads 1t had been
stopped Tor long time. He climbed down
the platform steps and set up yell.
- -
now?"
"Air brakes, !" sang back the engineer in
contented voice.
80, is that ALL" answered the conductor
oheerfully, and he went along one side Of
the oars and then the other, giving a Wig
orous kick TO the air brakes
TRY it now" he shouted, and the train
bumped ahead.
"All right" cried back the engineer.
"Wait a minute" shouted the conductor;
"wait for me-" and he walked after the
train, climbing back to his car in a digni-
fed manner. Then the train went on its
way and it's sovereign owner sat down and
closed up that conversation on the Sullivan
Corbett fight.
In the seat behind Jimmie was a Judge
of the supreme court of the state-saU
little old lady, white-haired and sweet
faced.
"Hullo, Sally" said the conductor.
warmly, chow are you to-day? Haven't
seen you in a long time. How's Sue?"
Sue" was ''Sally's" mother. Then he
seated himself at the side of sally" and
reeled off two columns aud a quarter Of
Sunday society chat"
Meanwhile the train advanced by fits and
starts, aud the conductor occasionally
glanced out Of the window to see if his
freight we're making progress.
well, Jen," said the conductor, moving
on in the course of time to seat No. 5, so
you're back again, ehs I'm glad to see you.
l missed you this summer Been up
northT'-"Noth" he called it, of course
"haven't you2'
"Jen" had spent the summer in the north,
and she confessed as much.
did you know" the conductor went on.
that Lii had been north all summer She
went right after you and just got back yes
terday. Lii looked right fine, she did
never saw her look much better Dye know
she's going TO be married to a northern
mans Yes. she is-engaged this summer
Bill Stewart told me about it first" Bill
is the Rev. William j. Ste wart.) DON'T
know whether FL like him or not. Amt so
sure OF these northern men. I'll have to
have a long talk with him when he gets
down here. and see what l think OF him.
pll be sorry to see Lii go; she's a powerful
fine girl. How's Slssyp Sissy" was
"Jen's" respected and dignified aunt OF the
"old school," and "Jen" said that sissy"
was very well, thank you"
"Glad Of it, said the conductor. warmly.
always liked Sis. She's a good girl"
Sis" was 65 last June. l. ava
The king Of his kind passed on to the next
passenger, but changed his mind and went
back to ''Jen."
Say, Jeb, )" be said. sitting down, and his
voice assumed a confidential tone, sis it
true that Nellie aud Flo Willis have in
herited 100000 apiece"
She thought it was true, and the en-
peror Of his country said "Um, umw
thoughtfully.
For q change he took up three successive
tickets, with conversation at each operation
Of less than five minutes. Finally he reached
the passenger that wanted TO catch another
train, and who ventured to hint at his de-
sire.
"Eh, what's that what's thatl Want to
catch the $3.50" asked the conductor. "Why
didn't you say sol It's getting late now"
Then he walked ont to the platform, and
clinging to the rail, leaned over aud shouted
to the engineer:
"Hey. Sam!" he said, whip tup a little.
We're late"
Coming back to the traveller, he said:
"I'm sorry you didn't tell me. Could have
caught it just as well as not"
The whipping up didn't last long, for
- H.