The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-08-07
Copyright, 1899, by S. S. Mcclure Coz
CHAPTER I.

allS and d black Six cap WIN an enoI-
nous long peak. Tall, square-shoul-
dered and handsome. he was TO my
boyish admiration the best and bravest
OF all the engineers on the A K q L.
railroad. His engine-a SiX-wheel mo
gul,' l believed to be the brightest
strongest and fastest in the world de
passed our house outward bound at
11:35 every other morning, and the DAYS
that 1 failed to see him go by, and 10
wave my cap in answer to his 'toot-
toot," and 10 feel myself the proudest
boy in Belleville, could have been
counted on the thumbs of one hand.
1 only saw his return once. He ar
rived at 2:15 the following morning,
when l would be snoring peacefully un-
der the blankets. There was but little
TO be seen anyway; a brightly flashing
headlight as 81 poked her nose from
under the bridge half a mile away,
would be visible for an instant. Then
would come long string of fiery sparks
lights in the car windows, as the tram
glided swiftly across our restricted held
of vision, This would be followed by
pair of fierce red eyes-the tail lights
as like an antediluvian monster the
train would writhe smoothly into its
subterranean den-the tunnel.
l awoke one memora BILE morning with
z raging earache. Mother responded to
my hail of distress and started at once
TO roast an onion oyer the night lamp. l
knew from experience that the appllca-
ton of this unfailing remedy-the heart
of a roasted onion-WaS a painful oper-
alton, therefore L kicked; but mother
was a strategist. While inspecting the
onion she remarked casually that
father would be due in u few minutes.
My interest was aroused at once. Could
1 see him go by? Why, yes, if I could
stand il to be carried to the window?
She wrapped a shawl over my mighty,
and held me where l could catch the
first glimpse of the bright headlight.
Had l known that she was gingerly
rolling the hot onion heart in her
hand, l might net have been. so alb
sorbed in watching the course of the
fast rolling train.
AS the great bulrs-eye disappeared
in the yawning mouth of the tunnel a
soft hand stole lovingly under the
shawl.
Does his poor little ear ache dread
fully?''
There was a quick motion, and the
fiery cone was rammed solidly into my
aching ear. Screaming and kicking,
unmindful of the soothingly apologize
words pouring into my other ear, l was
returned to bed. and in five minutes
was sound asleep.
Sometimes father would take me to
the roundhouse on Sundays, when he
went there TO visit. While he ''chinned'
with the other engineers l would wan
der off, viewing with wonder and de-
light the great engines lying so q.iietly
in their stalls. Once a hostler put me
on the fireman's seat and let me ring
the bell while he took the engine out,
turned her on the table and took a tank
OF water. I loved that hostler and l
wearied mother and sister May with
the tale for many days.
4 J, ~fcssf
GENTLY far apart to retain their charm.
They were episodes in my life. Believ-
ing my father to be the supreme boss
of everything on the railroad, when the
men patted my head and asked: How 5
the boy, Jim?" 1 accepted their homage
with becoming dignity.
l was about 10 years old when made
my last trip to the roundhouse with
father. In an argument with the fore
man, / became Disguised with his lack
of enthusiasm concerning the superior
merits of Ninety-seven, and left him.
The wipers were cleaning up freight
engine.agnspired by an impulsefto be-
gin my railroad career, 1 seized a hand
ful of waste and started in on the
greasy main rod.
! was small for the job. so l had to
use both hands. / had on new, light
chinchilla overcoat. l had unbuttoned
it on account of the heat, and as /
swung back and forth at my work, my
new coat wiped off more grease than /
did with the waste. Old Kelly. the boss
wiper, advised me to leave the work
alone, but this only increased my ardor.
! pushed my cap back and wiped my
perspiring face with my grimy hands.
Father passed with two other engi-
neers. One OF them saw me and called
out: Hello, Jim, breakin' the kid in,
hey?"
When father saw me, a look of horror
overspread his face. He took me by the
hand, let go again, and, looking al his
own hand, he got apiece of clean
waste from the wiper's basket, with
which he again took. hold of me and
led me 10 window All three of them
inspected me. The others laughed
Father tried TO. but failed. He was
thinking of my SO overcoat.
Hes a born railroader, JIM" said
one of the engineers. between outlaws
"he amt afraid OF a little dirt"
well, if you don't have nice time
when your mother sees you, young
man, l miss my guess, that's all; look
at yourselfr' exclaimed father, shaking
me angrilS.
1 cast one downward glance and
burst into tears. My handsome new
cOat-put on that day for the first time
and of which / had felt so proud on
leaving home-was ruined.
4
good fellow, rubbing the tears, grease
and dirt over my face with my dirt
paw. ] shall never forget the sickening
dread with which / entered the house
Mother had the entire care of us, ana
though unusually indulgent, she knew
when to be severe. She was in the par
Tor reading. ! heralded our approach
with an unbroken series of highly
pitched bolGoS. She dropped her bool
and met us in the sitting room.
For heavens sake, Jim OdeH. what
have you done to that poor child2'' she
exclaimed on catching sight of me
Look at his clotheS.' she added II
Mortified. tones. Where are you hurt
Frankly, dear-what has happened Il
you, have You been run over Oh
what?"
He amt hurt none" replied father
heartlessly. only his clothes. 1 found
him down there with Kelly, wipin' &
jack"
~ transformation passed over my
dear mothers countenance. Sweet pity
rolled from it like a mask. The line:
hardened and a steely glitter came int
hersyes. Come with me, young man,
she said, as she snatched me from my
father. By a series of joint rackinf
Jerks she conveyed me to the wash
house, and there stripped me quicke
than l remember her ever having dom
IL before. Only my overcoat was soiled
but she peeled me To the skin and mad,
me clinb-still wildly blubbering-int,
a Washtub half full of rainwater Sh,
scrubbed me until ] was nearly raw
commenting on my conduct meanwhile
She wiped me vigorously with a cOarS