Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-04-01
CLEVERLY CAUGHT.


yarn"
Unlike the skillful amateures VINO
protest that they can neither play nor
sirg, Reuben had no objection. He
rather liked telling a story His mind
though it had, along with his body, been
huled against bridge and down en-
beLkment, was as vigorous as it Eos
tenacious 1t was full of tie incients
that had crowded his railway career as
earrings greaser, hunter wheel-tapper
ste ker, driver and inspector Occas-
lonaljy he was pleased to reopen it. and
as it were to let the steam G..
I've carried SC me queer loads" ne
said, stroking his black beard reflect
lively
The engine I worked on the south
ern line pulled almost everything. I've
had two tigers in tow. I've jolted over
crossings with a load of Egyptian
princes wrapped in mummy clothes.
Once when | was bringing, at the rate
of one shilling d mile, corpse for
burial III its native village, the dead
man burst open the coffin lid and said
the trip was premature. I've been in
few serious accidents, ard flung of
my engine so often that | got quite ac-
customed to the swallow-like move
ment; but | think my adventure on the
Continental Night Mail was perhaps
the most exciting"
What vas that?'' | asked
Il had, he continued run the quick
train through from town to the south
coast for some months, Invariably to
time and without mishap. | was proud
of the engine under my charge l knew
her strength, endurance, beat, speed and
tricks so well that | could manage her
as easily as a jockey can manage a
hCrse. Often | ran her from London to
the mail packet in ninety-six n fnutes,
the booked time.
One night, getting down to the en-
CINE shed before my locomotive was
out of the hands Of the cleaners, [
found a spruce clerk (railway clerks
are always spruCe) waiting for me- -*In
said, with curt, official manner. that
the general manager wished to speak
to me. | thanked hicl for the message,
touching my hat meanwhile. for rail
way clerks sometimes become general
managers
Wandering what I had done aulss,
] went to the head Office. The work Of
the day was over. The desks were
cleared, the stools were unOccupied, the
the rows Of directories glimmered
crimson in the freight. and on the
half closed eyes of the station dog
that had curled himself OF the hearth
rug. | wasted ten minutes without at
tracing attention. | grew restless |
had a good deal to d. III the next half
hour-to get my engine on the main
line go beneath and round about her
with the oil-Can, and also to ascertain
her probable load.
Il was on the point of hurrying from
the Office when Buttons, the super
cilious messenger, came laasure ly
through the aperture his form made in
pushing the folding doors aside, and
said; oh. ah- yaas-of course you are
the driver. You may go in now"
Il went into the Office beyond. fun
ing; but the general managers conf
dental courtesy speedily eyaporated
nv wrath
How do you do, AlWard?' he asked.
heartily shaking my hand. Sit down.
he added, pointing to his own easy
chair. I see driving suits you. You are
getting quite stout and ruddy.'
Yes, sir; thank YOU. 1t salts he,
like my work
l m glad to hear you say So When
man IS fond OF his work he does 1t
Vel
MS was eh'our"SlhS' l "du "NvlcI-
p'l1u reprIiliauo' ana SoI praise III
stead.
always Try 10 10 lllN "uJS' 9'I'
] SAD making no ehofJ lC conceal my
gf@Iiicdtloh.
Know 1t. mat Is why sent Tor
YOU the TACT IS, you VIII nave a. very
valuable load on tonight. want you
10 drlVe with as much skill ana care
as II you mad your own child on the
.Perfectlv sir
...Can Won rock on at Pelican street?
.Yas sir if necessary
8. Won do 60 then9'
go An riob+ sir, ror1iod risino
.,rbara i ono thing 7 should he Glad to