The National tribune., 1895-10-31
THE STATION~AGENT.
He Thinks He Has More Than His Share oi
I.ife's Worries.

lie THINKS He has more Il nan Ills snare OF
Iife's Worries.
INe,e York Railroad Nen-l
The life of railroad agent at way station
is not all sunshine by any means, and those
whose position brings with it little occa-
sional and probably deserved reproof from
superiors, should carefully read what the
mail brought to one agent in a single day.
The superintendent Of the road wrote to
say that he wanted the agent to understand
that he was not superintendent of the road
and that if he heard any more of his imperti-
ncnce he would be discharged Immediately.
The general baggage agent sent a letter of
inquiry as to why the agent had neglected
to run your pen through the last paragraph
on the excess baggage check issued on the
Sd. and intimating that such another ne
glect would mean removal
The telegraph superintendent informed the
agent that unless he did better than get in
delay reports so minutes after being left by
the train, he might consider himself dis
charged.
The auditor growls because all through the
month of May the agent had included pre-
paid received in his daily balances and
said that whenever he asked for the removal
of an agent he almost always received salts
faction
The car accountant wrote that there were
two days car reports in the envelope he had
last sent, which showed that he was growing
careless. AS it was the second offense, the
next time should be the last.
The general freight agent called his atten-
tion to n complaint from a man to whom he
quoted a rate of $50 on cattle standard car to
Chicago when the tariff rate was S52. AS
the Office had been having so much trouble
with its agents over such matters, it had de-
cided to make an example of him.
The general passenger agent mailed him the
information that he had issued vouchers in
his favor for $50, the difference between the
first and second class fair between his station
and Kansas City, though he had been very
careless in failing to punch the ticket :" sec
ond class" The letter contained warning
that if it occurred again he would get into
trouble.
! The trainmaster was right to the point
when he wrote: g You understand that no ex-
cuse can be accepted for delays 10 fast freight.
What excuse have you TO offer for delaying
| No 20 to load cabbage?"
Sam Dean wrote to inquire why his box OF
beans was not sent him, and announced that
he was going to report the agent TO the super
/ intendent - if that box amt here tomorrow. u
| lUe cldlUl dIbllb AdDttu 10 KNOW WHY Ht
had been holding the papers in claim 267, 465
so long. As he had held bunch of papers
just as long once before, he was asked to ex-
plain why the Office should put up with such
things
The water superintendent expressed him
self as follows: "Why don't you see that the
tank at your place is not allowed to run over
and weaken the foundation? ] shall report
this to the superintendent"
A man with so many superiors ready Il
call him to account might be excused if ht
felt an occasional pang of discouragement
Perhaps he was one of the kind to whom us,
had lessened marvel, and he took these letter
and their contents as matters Of course in his
business. Still, he could not have been st
hardened as not to have felt some sort o
satisfaction as he opened this letter, the las
in that days mail:
MY DEAR Boy: If the time ever come
when everythingis is not going right, remembe
your old father has a good farm where yoI
can be happy and independent.
Your affectionate FATHER.