St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-12-31
KNOWS A GOOD THING
NOW.
By GEORGE ADE.

Central who is pretty well satls-
ed - k-iJ:. 1t is possible that if
"the road wanted to make him a d.
vision superintendent or vice presi-
dent he would accept either position,
but il would be difficult matter TO
induce him TO give up railroading and
lake UP another calling. There was a
time. he says, when good thing might
label itself and stare him in the face
sisd he wouldn't know it, but he be-
lieves his perceptions have been consid-
erably sharpened since then.
He was employed as fireman on one
Cf the company's engines more than
year ago, and was known from Kan
aolph street to Buffalo as 1.-THE dude "
As soon as his work was done and he
had discarded his bedticking jumper.
pale blue oxeralls and diurnal accumu-
lation Of lubricating oil, sand and coal
dust. he proceeded to array himself in
fine linen and $40 suit Of clothes and
lnaf and invite his soul. He had several
Of these suits of clothes and cape
lxercoat besides. Also he had comet
whereon he played with some skill, and
he loved the drama.
Whenever anything of a theatrical ma
'sure was under discussion among the
railroad men 1.-The dude fireman" was
a.ways appealed to as an authority. He
had an easy and familiar way of talk
irg of Alice Nielsen. Andy Mack. Sol
Smith Russell, Nat Goodwin and the
rest, aud was particularly impressive
ard his criticisms were always accepted
;s final He was not man who made
fine distinctions; actors were. as he
viewed them, either great" or bum :
Nor was he one of those who content
themselves with criticising. Even the
ren who sneered with the greatest
bitterness at the cape overcoat were
compelled to admit when Jack spoke 9
piece" at any of their entertainments
that. he spoke it out of sight"
1t was not surprising. therefore, that
when Bob Chilson, who was sitting
smoking in the fireman's room, said:
Jack, YOU ought TO go on the stage,
Jack answered.: That's exactly wha,
am going to do"
There was an uncomfortable pause
for moment, during which Bob: did
his bes, not TO look doubtful. AT last
he said: Are you going to give VI
your job?''
81 wont il l can hold it and trave
aiout the country with troupe re
Piled Jack, but they'd have TO get an
ether man TO do my work and they
wouldn't want to pay us both wages. Sc
:. suppose l might just about as vel
quit"
Eight months later the eN-ireman
thin and haggard blue about the upper
lip and jowl. shabby in attire and viii
shoes worn to the quick. was sitting il
room in his friends fiat telling him al
ebcut it.
ut was mighty meteoric career" h
said. 81 shot athwart the starry firma
ment in blaze Of glory for just abou
MS long as il would take you 10 say scat,
and then they didn't do a thing to me.
Il went to New York when l qui
the road and got in with the Croty
Damiens company. The manager
rame was Croty and his wife's mann
WAS Damiens. and he had been dresse,
down with powder edpumice and ham
rclished, I want to tell you. He sol'
me a wardrobe the first thing. and after
ward he sold it for me and held out 2
,er cent. commission. Croty was a6ou
the warmest baby in the bunch, an
there was only one bunch. He was &c
;rc Ia star me all the time as long a
nv money held out. and then he shoo
me down to third peasant. Isaw how
vas by that time. but couldn't hel
myself for awhile. hated to go I
,.,xinr corne& in the orchestra, but
nas the only thing there was. I've see
whole lot of country and I've travele
- t;. masses more than expected IL
rs life full of interest, not to sa
,nxiety. is an actors. But l tnink 0
..ns;,leration I'D about as soon have a
.ctiye position in the street-cieaain
.sn.r rtment. Are they giving out thes
IL .ivil-service tickets this year, Bol
49, .an any husky boy get broom3
.you stay right here with me unit
-, strike something" said Bob, col
s;al,y .In do what can for sol
Non'd better get you some clothes u
first thing.
For three weeks the convaiescei
.;e,;m Of stage mania diligently q
..-ere1 advertisements in person IN
hv letter, almost inyaria6ly to fnd tn