Omaha daily bee., 1897-02-22
FOOTBALLS ANNOYED HER
Invalid Was Distressed by the Heavy
Tread of the Train Caller.
PAIR OF RUBBER SoLsS WERE SECURED
Union Depot Omcinl Now Moves
Around with NoiscIess Feet and
the other Employees know
Not when He Comcth.

Not long ago a passenger arrived at the
Union depot whose delicate face betokenei
the inward workings of a dread disease. She
had been to Denver in hopes that the climate
Of that higher altitude would prolong the
life which held by a mere thread. The jour
ney had been in vain and now with all the
sunshine Of expectancy vanished from her
features, she was on her way home to rela-
tiyes, there to surrender that for which she
had striyed so hard. Pallid and ~listless she
reclined in the luxurious seat of the Pull
man, an object of sincere sympathy to her
fellow tourists.
When 1t was announced that In order to
make the eastern connection it would be
necessary for her to stop in Omaha's tourist
palace for an hour, the thought was not a
pleasant one. The wan face, however, took
on a tinge Of it's old color and the eyes
abormally bright shone with gratitude when,
upon arriving in this city, Chief Fleming
of the depot police took the emaciated form
In his strong arms and conveyed II to the
wheeled chair which was standing upon the
platform. Into the musty room of the sta
tion the chair was trundied and everything
for the comfort of the stranger was pro-
vided by the kind-hearted officer.
The depot, even when the sunshine beats
upon it's moss-grown roof the brightest, is
not a place of cheerful abode, and the usual
noise of hurrying passengers over the creak-
ing floors did much to aggravate the nervous
condition of the patient.
Now to walk upon the floors of the Union
depot under the most favorable circumstances
is not unattended by dangers. A rusty nail
here or a loose joist there will frequently
part company with its fellow, and pieces of
flooring oftimes fly up in most unexpected
places. Those who perforce are obliged to
pass through the passenger accommodation
- n-,A L., L,.z Al,A- Al. ,.o H. - n.
art, somewhat after the manner of a country
traveller picking his way over a corduroy
road; yet in spite of all care progress through
the place is attended by considerable noise.
MADE THE BUILDING TREMBLE.
Among these who risk their lives daily
in this picturesque old wreck is Train Di-
rector Mix. For him the swaying timbers
have no terror and he walks his accustomed
path in sublime Indifference to the dangers
which surround him.. The blue clothed Off
cial has a firm tread which causes the rickety
structure TO sway under his 200 pounds avor-
dupoio. Attaches Of the place long aCcus-
toned to the footballs of the director have
ceased to notice them, but to the invalid they
were a revelation, and a source of discom-
fort that Jared her nerves perceptibly.
Tell the officer who calls the trains to
step lightly" said the patient as she heard
the footsteps coming once more in her di-
rection. Il love the sound of his voice, but
the noise of his walk ~irritates me sadly
Out into the fresh air of the platform
went the discounted caller, and the train
calls for the period the invalid remained
echoed against the outer walls of the sta
ton.
That evening the good-natured official Wis
tied a cobbler in the city and some strips
of rubber were neatly nailed to the soles
of his number los. He now treads the
boards Of the station in noiseless fashion.
The 'pneumatics'' are a signal success, yet
his fellow workers are kept in a state of
nervous suspense. for they know not when
he approaches. He has been implored to
provide himself with a whistle or a bell
and adopt a system of signals, yet the
handsome official smiles to himself when
the invalid's chair rolls his way.