The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-12-22

dead. He was the oldest conductor in
the State-pcrhaps the Oldest in long
and continuous service in the United
States. and maybe in the world. He
was not :. great man, but he was Il true
man, honest and faithful, and every
traveller respected him. have known
him and travelled with him for forty
years and always loved him, for he
was patient and kind. lie was firm
and did his duty, but without anger or
rudcncss | never saw him out Of
good temper or unduly excited. but
duty was his watchword. No wonder
he was kept III Office from adninistra-
tiOn to administration, for railroad
officials appreciate such men. and even
when he became too infirm to swing
aYound 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
lncnt to his sole judgment. Small
lawyers ceased to fattcn on small iti-
CATION. Sanford Bell says so, was
the law and the verdict What ii
record for an unprctcnding 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
out for danger Their eyes seem to
have grown nearer together and more
searching from the strain Of constant
use iii looking down the cvcrchanging
track. | feel like tipping my hat to
them oil 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 oftcntimcs the last to
them. How thoughtlcss and uncon-
e0rned we travellers ride with never
q thought about the engineer in whose
hands we are. Sometimes we read of
wreck and the telegram says: EN-
gineer and fireman killed passengers
81! escaped" To any mind there is
something grandly heroic in the call
ings Of these men who move the wheels
and stop them these engineers and
brakesmcn who have no choice Of time
or weather. In the black and wintry
night they must breast the storm.
"Goodby wife, goodby mother, my
time is out" He kisses the children
and is of Not long ago heard
poor, fond mother say "My Tom is
running ON the railroad now and helps
us with his pay. He is brakeman
sn & freight train, and Il is pretty
Bard place IN bad weather, but you
know there are 80 ensy rlncee now" "
There are many kinds of manners
manners at the table and the fresidc
and in the Church and in stores. on
both sides Of the counter, and there
arc railroad manners, both Of the off
5iuis aild the travellers. Not long ago
boarded the Alabama Great South
crn, 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 us where We we're going. He found
one man who was going to Atlanta and
quickly hurried him off and on to the
Atlanta train. liked that ) it was
good railroad manners and was new to
me. Railroad officials can hardly
yealise how bewildcred strangers feel
in large union depot and how CRATE
fui they are FOR information, especi-
ally when It is kindly volunteered.
Poor, timid women unaccustomed to
travelling are so afraid they will make
Il mistake. / came from Florida last
Monday and was impressed with the
Kindness and attention of conductor,
MIR. Seabring, who runs from Tampa
30 Waycrcss. No woman was too
humble or poorly clad to receive his
considerate care. He assisted them
d 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. lie 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, 30
ahat he might obligc you. He did not
EuGW mo nor kbok 7 xuo, ob,o~u:-