The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1896-11-07
A TRAMP OPERATOR.


There were probably 700 passengers
on No. 1. That was her fair average. and
Conductor Hubbard nfterward said he
thought that on the night OF Sept. she
had carried her full quota. II he had
realized what was back Of the Innocent
query Of the rampish-looking substi-
tute operator at Hogarth he would
have been a pretty badly frightened
man, even though the event was three
days In the past. Only Kenneth and
the second trick train dispatcher knew
how close 700 persons had come to
death on the night Of Sept. A. True. a
certain boy may have had remote idea
OF II, but that is only a hazard, for he
was very stupid boy
Kenneth was on the hog train. 1t was
habitual with him. His shoes were
punches OF frayed leather; his trousers
were greasy and torn; his coat was
seedy, and although he had washed his
shirt regularly thrice a week in the
waters OF Whatever pond or creek he
CHANGED to discover in his line Of tran
sit, stlll. It was an evil-looking shirt
which did not beget confidence. He
was unshaved and In general appear
ance was similar to the accepted Idea
OF u hobo The time had passed many
years back when he felt that 1t was
worth while to appeal to station agents
or operators along the line Of his travel
for assistance. His garb and guise
were not such as to prompt self-respect-
Ing telegaphers to talk in his behalf
to the conductors OF freight trains, and
so what progress westward he made
was tribute to his own vigilance and
aglllty-vigilance In detecting just
when the brakeman's back was turned
and agility In swinging under the cars
and upon the trucks. And he was per-
fectly and tramplly sa tisfled.
Kenne' sauntered up the platform at
Hogarth and took a seat on box just
outside the station window. He would
have beer ordered away had the agent
been In the office, but the agent was
not there. The agent, having been over
come by heat at 3 o'clock September
heat Is the most potent heat in that des-
ert land-had been carried up to his
house to rage In dellflum, and die, per-
haps. for all the medical attendance n
Wyoming settlement could afford 1t
was his student whc sat In flushed I'm
portance at the telegraph table when
Kenneth roved up TO the window and
anchored IN the box Kenneth had tour
ed the rad until he had first-rate
knowledge OF the time card and he
knew that IL COZ was on time she
would draw her sepentine length OF
freight ears up to the Hogarth station
about an hour after No l had gone
whizzing eastward with her fast mail
and her sleepers. 1t was his purpose
TO annex himself to COZ and proceed
eastward.
Idly, through the open window he
studied the boy. He was very stupid
looking boy. and ut this time Of his SUI
perior's disability very important boy
Kenneth estimated his age at IA or 10,
and tried to think how stupendous an
opinion he himself had had OF himself
when he was boy of 10 and was left
for the hfst time In charge of an Office.
nc nNAtAtu III n NdNNANtll lultItrlEu
sort Of way as the boy fought on the
second wire for fifteen minutes in his
vigorous purpose to ask the time OF a
far-away telegrapher. even though tie
heavens might fall II was ike old
timss. III plug operators, he remem-
bered. do that sort OF thing fighting.
fighting. lighting In their determination
% take The wire from any one else who
may desh TO use it the train dispatch
q alone excepted from the list to be
held In contempt.
The tramp operator wearied at last OF
the boys ''smartness' on the line. and
leaned back against the side OF the sta
ton listening to the clamor OF the dis
patcher notwithstanding to orders. re-
ports and other mlnutas OF running
trains by telegraph In the course OF
time he earned thing which caused
him to curse his luck and look upon
himself as one outraged, for by attend
ing the racket OF the dispatchers line
he found that No. l, the passenger train.
was late, and instead OF meeting her at
Rosalie. the station east OF Hogorth.
where the tramp operator was waiting.
602. the fast freight. had been given
permlssIcn to go as far as Williamson.
the station next west Of Hogarth, for
the meeting. No. ! had been warned in
due time OF the change.
The fast freight had been out Of Rosa
lie ten minutes and was fast approach
Ing Hogarth when Kenneth heard the
man at Humboldt telling the dispatcher