The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-30

Shopmen Gather to See Her Pull the
Rod that Blows the Great Whistle.
There was a great surprise planned
and executed one day last week, and
the joke of it is, it was on me; but 1
enjoyed it.
was the honored guest of over
eight hundred workmen in the Santa
Fe shops, and saw more of interest
in one afternoon than could tell about
in six whole columns. more deeply
appreciate the honor and the pleasure
afforded me by the demonstration of
interest in me shown by these men
than I can tell at all.
But about the surprise. I was in
vited to come down and make a visit,
shops by Oneacmbfykq zgfftH b
= a sort of tour of inspection of the
shops by one of the skilled men there,
who is also a friend of mine.
1 was escorted into the bigroom. L
gave a little start of surprise, for as 1
entered I saw great crowds of men
gathered, all looking at me. 1t was
evident I had been expected. The
murmur of voices ceased for a moment,
only to be followed by a buzz of ex-
cited comment.
For a moment I was the victim of
stage fright. 1t seemed to me I had
never seen so many men before in al
my life. They were crowded and jam
med close together They stood in win
doWS and jOstled over each other.
The comments heard were all most
respectful, many of them flattering in
deed. Some one said, why, she don't
wear boomers at ALL Another-'why
IT really is a woman, I thought a man
made up them stories signed Becky
Sharp
Then an old man with a white
beard said just as came opposite
to him, she looks as if she might be
able to cook and sew like any other
woman"
I wanted to shake hands with him.
but didn't get the opportunity. I was
introduced to Mr.. Henry Youngbloom,
the man the pride of whose heart is
conferred in the big Corliss engine
which turns so much of the machin-
cry Of theshops. 1t was one minute
OF o'clock and Mr. Youngbloom said
now you must reach up and take hold
Of the handle of that iron lever there
and pull down hard, just at l." I
caught on" 1 had been surprised
into coming to the shops so the men
could see me "tOOt' the big whistle. 1t
was long minute. 1 was nervous.
was afraid 1 would do it wrong and it
would make a funny sound; of course
the men would laugh. When the all
important moment came I pulled. 1t
seemed to me it was another minute
before there was any sound.
r Then as the escaping steam beloved
forth its warning that work time had
come, heard it for a second only; it
was drowned by the mighty shout that
Went up from hundreds of threats in
three cheers for Becky Sharp" 1
wanted to bow but was watching for
the signal from Mr.. Youngbloom to
pun down the other lever and shut off
the steam and I was afraid to let go.
hope that the boys will believe that
bowed low in nv heart
As the sound died awav and ceased
thele sprang into my mind the phrase
-laborare est orare. and I shall never
hear the sound again without seeing
a picture in my minds eye. of well
worn hands and willing feet Fastening
TO toll as homage sweet Then nv
guide took me through the shops
First in my rounds I followed into
the room where the silver plating is
done and the brass and silver is all
polished.
Then down into the machine shops
proper where Mr.. Gunther had some
car wheels riveted to the tracks for
my observance, by a machine exert
ing a pressure of thirty-tons. Each
OF those wheels weighs over five humid
red pounds said Mr.. Gunther
saw the big iron planning machines
on one of which the politicians stand
10 make speeches to the men at noon
ana looked with interest at an econom-
lcai device in the shape of a centrifu-
gaA Wrlnger which extracts the oil
from the shavings of iron bolts and
nuts.
shook hands with several of-the