Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-04-01
CLEVERLY CAUGHT.

yarn"
Unlike the skillful amateures VINO
protest that they can reithar play nor
sirg, Reuben had no objection. He
rather liked telling Story. His mind,
though It had, along with his body, been
huled against bridge and down en-
baLkment, was as vigorous as 1t "os
tenacious 1t was full of TIE inciepts
that had crowded his railway career as
carrlags gresser, hunter, wheel-tapper,
sttk er, driver and inspector Occas-
ionally he was pleased to reopen 1t and,
as It were, to let the steam off.
1--WE carried some queer loads" ne
said stroking his black beard reflect
lively.
The engine | worked on the south
ern line pulled almost everything. l'va
had two tigers In tow. I've jolted over
crossings with a load Of Egyptian
princes wrapped in mummy clothes.
Once when ! WIS bringing, at the rate
Of one shilling q mile n corpse for
burial in It's native village, the dead
the trip WAS premature, I've been In
few serious accidents, ard flung off
my engine 10 often that ] got quite aC-
customed TO the swallow-llko move
ment; but think my adventure on the
Continental Night Mnil waa perhaps
the most exciting"
what vas that?" asked
81 had" he continued, run the quick
train through from town to the south
coast for some months, Invariably to
time and without mlshap | was proud
Of the engine under my charge. knew
her strength, endurance, beat speed and
tricks so well that | could manage her
az easily as Il Jockey can manage a
hcrse. Often I ran her from London to
the mail packet in ninety-slx II inutes.
tho booked time.
One night, getting down to the en-
glno fhod before my locomotive was
out of the hands OF the cleaners,
found spruce clerk railway clerks
are always spruce) waiting for me. He
said, with curt, official manner that
the general manager wished to speak
to me. thanked HIN for the message,
touching my hat meanwhile, for rail
way clerks sometimes become general
managers
Wondering what had done au,lss,
l went to tho head Office. The work Of
the day was over. The desks were
cleared. the stools were unoccupled, tho
tho rows OF directories glimmered
crimson In the freight, and on tho
half closed eyos Of the station dog
that had curled himself OF the hearth
rug. | wasted ten minutes without at
tracing attention, | grew restless
had q good deal to do In the next half
houl-to gel my engine on the main
line. 30 beneath ard round about her
with tho oil-lan, and also to ascert lin
her probable load
II was on the point of hurrying from
the Office when Buttons. the super
cilious messenger came laasurly
through the aparture his form made In
pus hing the folding doors aside, and
said; oh, ah.-yaas of course you nrc
the driver. You may 50 In now
Il went into the Office beyond, FUN
ing; but the general managers conf
dental courtesy speedily eVaporatod
my wrath
"Iow do you do, Award" he asked,
heartily shaking my hand, sit down
he added, pointing to his own elsN
chair. 4 see driving suits YOU You one
getting quite stout and ruddy,'
YES, sir; thank you. II suits mo, I
Hike my work
I'm glad to hear YOU say SO, When
n nan is fond of his work he does II
welt
"1his was encouraging, ! had antici-
patld reprimaud, and got praise IN
stead
/ always try to d. my duty, sir,
! said, making no effort to conceal my
qualification,
80 know It. That Is why sent for
YOU The fact IL, YOU will have a very
valuable load on tonight | want YOU
to drive with as much skill and care
as If you had your own child Oh the
footplato. You UNDERESTIMATE
Perfectly, sir,
"'Can YOU rock on at Pelican street?
"'Ycs, sir. II necessary
&c You do 50 them
:" An right. sir replied rising,
There Is one thing should he glad to
know blurted out, as rescued my
cap from the waste-parer basket,
"Whats thnt? he asked, thought
rather sharply.
"'Thc character Of the loaQ If vow
can trust me To run it, surely wa caa
tell me what ii Is"
Perhaps ii is better so he remark
ed, half ia himself, Then he added:
i will be candid with YOU, Award
There is i financial crisis in the East
Colo to the amount Of two millions
has been taken out Of the Bank Of Eng
land to. day, and you win carry 1t by
the night mail tc the quay for snip
"a. a ft.. EA..a