The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-22
BILL ARP'S LETTER.
Barlow Philosopher Pays a Tribute to an
Old Conductor
Atlantic Constitution.

IalGuIul V0CcTdu VI uuO uOi1 WIZ, AZ
dead. He was the Oldest conductor IN
the State-perhaps the Oldest in long
and continuous service in the United
States, and maybe in the world. He
was not great man, but he was true
man, honest and faithful, and every
traveller respected him. Ihave known
him and travelled with him for forty
years and always loved him, for he
was patient and kind. He was firm
and did his duty, but without anger or
rudeness. never saw him out Of
good temper or unduly excited. but
duty was his watchword. No wonder
he was kept in Office from administra-
tion to administration, for railroad
officials appreciate such men, and even
when he became too infrm to swing
around the curves, Mr.. Thomas, that
prince Of railroad kings, gave him an
easier berth, and saved money by it,
for who could settle disputes over
killed and damaged stock like Sanford.
The people all along the line respected
him and in most cases left the adjust
ment to his sole judgment. Small
lawyers ceased to fatten on small liti-
cation uSanford Bell saws sc" was
the law and the verdict. What a
record for an unpretending man. My
regard for these true and patient men
increases with my years-these tried
conductors, these engineers who day
and night stand at the throttle and
realize the responsibility that is upon
them. Like the pilots on the great
steamships, they are ever on the look
ont for danger. Their eyes seem to
have grown nearer together and more
searching from the strain Of constant
use in looking down the eyerchanging
track I feel like tipping my hat to
them all and saying God bless you and
protect you, for my life is in your
hands when ] travel. If danger or
disaster comes they receive the first
shock, and oftentimes the last to
tnem. How thoughtlcss and uncon-
aerned we travellers ride with never
athought about the epgineerin whose
hands we are. Sometimes We read of
& wreck and the telegram says: EN-
gineer and fireman killed ; passengers
all escaped To any mind there is
something grandly heroic in the call
ings Of these menwho move the wheels
and stop them; these engineers and
brakesmen who have no choice Of time
or weather. In the black and wintry
night they must breast the storm.
s'Goodby wife, goodby mother, my
time is out" He kisses the children
and ii Of. Not long ago l heard a
poor, fond mother say: s'My Tom is
cumming on the railroad now and helps
us with his pay. He is a brakeman
en- freight train, and it is q pretty
hard place in bad weather, but you
know there are no easy places now. :
II
There are many kinds Of manners
manners at the table and the 6reside
and in the Church and in stores. on
both sides Of the counter, and there
are railroad manners, both Of the Off
eials and the travelers.A ! Not long ago
I boarded the Alabama Great South
ern, of the Southern, at Chattanooga
and before the train moved out an
official came through the car and in
quiet, polite manner asked every one
Of ua where we were going. He found
one man who was going to Atlanta and
quickly hurried him off and on to the
Atlanta train. I liked that; it was
GOOD railroad manners and was new to
me. Railroad officials car hardly
realize how bewildered strangers feel
in large union depot and how CRATE
full they are for information, espeei-
ally when it is kindly volunteered.
Poor, timid women unaccustomed to
travelling are SO afraid they will make
mistake. / came from Florida last
Monday and was impressed with the
kindness and attention of a conductor,
Mr.. Seabring, who runs from Tampa
TO Waycross. No woman was too
humble or poorly clad to receive his
eousiderate care. He assisted them
IL and out and took their babies in his
arms and provided them comfortable
seats and had his porter to take water
to their little ones. He no. only an
swered questions willingly and polite
ly, but gave more information than
was asked for. Most all conductors
are civil and courteous, but some an
swer you in perfunctory manner and
pass on. Mr.. Seabring's face seemed
to invite you to ask for something, SO