Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-01-20

| then there was more ulSBlI IOT Ine ny
myself, cause the children had to have
something to eat an to wear, an it all
had to come out of the ground.
"They set up school for three
months in the winter" he proceeded.
"The children went, but didn't have
any time. Somebody had to stay around
home I picked up some spellin' from
the rest of 'em, an after awhile moth
or died, an we stayed together until
the Youngest went off to the mines an
sister got a home Of her own. worked
around until I found myself up here. 1
was hand in the yard first, then fire.
man, then engineer, an engineer I've
been ever since-for well-nigh 30 year.
I can't think somehow o bein' anything
else"
He took up his pipe, but laid it down
again, and went on alphabetically. You
see, I've never had much time for books.
Not but what after I married Jane 1
miehtn't "a learned some on the
cvenin's instead O sittin' still an
hearin' her talk; but I didn't. And
the consequence is I amt much of a
reader; but don't know as I'm any
the worse engineer on that account.
They amt been an accident on the
Short Line in all these years, unless
we count Mr.. Lawrens' cow"
cts too bad" Topper whispered
ooh, no. It's all right. When q COM
panv makes rule all its men ought to
abideby it. Iain't sayin nothin' against
that. But-you see, I think a heap o
that engine, as If it was a horse, an 1t
will come strange to see anybody else
cleanin' the brasses an drivin' her
down the road. I reckon I can get
plenty O. work elsewheres, but when
a mans stuck to one thing for 30 years
he wants to keep on to the end"
"When does the new rule go into eff
fect2"
about April"
"rhen you have nearly six months"
"Six months is an awful long time,
Jackins," said Upper; couldn't you
brush up bit?"
Jacllins had hid the morning paper
behind the door when he saw the boys
coming. He drew it out and followed
the headlines with On awkward fore
finger.
81 was thinkin' about 1t myself; an I
got this paper that somebody throwed
away an set to work. But all these
words is strangers to me. Now an
then I see some old acquaintance.
Here's and, was, been, an SO an
if. remember them. But what's this?
A-r5b-i-t-r-a-t-i-o-n?"
'That's arbitration. You must take
one syllable at q time"
Mrs. Jackins came up with basket
of sugar and spices on her arm. She
entered into the subject at. once.
81 tell Jackins not to give up. Any
man as can run a engine like him can
learn to read q newspaper in five
months. That's all he'll have to do.
Just give a specimen of reading and
writing. And as for figgers-rd like to
see man, woman or child at can keep
count, add up and divide like him. I'm
never bothered about accounts. Jackins
keeps all my accounts in his head"
When Topper asked for a drink of
water and followed her back to the
pump she continued: 81 don't let jack
ms know, but this worries me lot.
There's othersll suffer beside US.
Jaclins' sister didn't do very we'll. We
send so much a month TO her, poor
thing! Then there's my brother at the
Home. He's crippled, and has to be
where he can have doctors care con-
slant. Jaellins bought his entrance for
Christmas gift. Then we like to save
little to leave behind when we're
gone. There's Jaclins' sisters chill
dren." {
On their way home the boys said
Jackins ought to brush up and stick at
1t. There was nothing like sticking at
it. If he only had somebody to give
him a lift.
The following day Topper raped on
the door Of the doctors study. When he
came out he paused on the threshold
long enough to say: and you please,
DR.. Shoreditch, don't mention it to the
fellows. They'd laugh if he failed"
The next day Marvin, in closing Al
very dignifed interview with the doc
.or, said: "Fd take itas great favor,
Dr.. Shoreditch, if you would not con-
slider it necessary to speak of this af-.
fair to Gregory or Little Tupper. Greg,
CRY has his opinion OF things, you
know" ,
The doctor replied with the pro-
rounced gravity which he sometimes
observed toward Marvin; Certainly,
my dear sir"
Gregory, when his request for an
hour two evenings in the week had been
granted, said bashfully: you see,
DR.. shoreditch, if you don't mind, /
hope you won't say anything about
this to Marvin and the little chap. 1t
might strike them funny"
"Sir?" said DR.. Shoreditch.
81 beg your pardon; but books and
teaching and that are not-not-"
The doctor helped him out: "You
have been doing better lately, Gregory"
Shortly after this a curious feeling
manifested itself among Marvin, Greg
DRY and Little Topper. Each felt the
others were keeping a secret which he
must not share, and the secret, which
was an open one to the faculty, might
have been common property at any
time
Upper perhaps Jared worst. lie
tried a variety of friendships, but he.
felt forsaken without the society of his.
big friends. As for Marvin and Gregory,
the head-master declared the temper
airy arrangement added much to the
amount of work done.
At Easter the friendship, which had
been lil1ened to a triangle, threatened
to go to pieces, DR.. Shoreditch thought
seriously Of arranging an explanation.
Jnckins, who had kept more secrets in
/