Arizona republican., 1899-04-19
, KNOWS A GOOD THING NOW. $
THERE is an engineer on the Illinois
By GEORGE AIDE.
 

1 FI NHEltE IS an engineer oA 'lle llllllois
 Central who is pretty well satis-
 fed with his lot. It is possible that if the road" wanted to make him di- vision superintendent or q vice presi- dent he would accept either position,
 but it would be difficult matter to induce him to give up railroading and take up another calling. There was a time. he says, when good thing might label itself and stare him in the face and 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 Ran uolph street to Buffalo as the dude"
 Is soon as his work was done and he had discarded his bedticking jumper, pale-blue overalls and diurnal accumn- lation of Iubricating oil, sand and coal dust, he proceeded to array himself in fine linen and q $40 suit of clothes and l loaf and invite his soul. He had several of these suits of clothes and a cape Cvercoat besides. Also he had cornet whereon he played with some skill, and he loved the drama.
 Whenever anything of a theatrica. na- ture was under discussion among the railroad men the dude fireman was a.ways appealed to as an authority. He had an easy and familiar way of talk ing of Alice Neilsen, Andy Mack, Sol Smith Russell, Nat Goodwin and the rest, and was particularly impressive, and his criticisms were always accepted IS 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
 men who sneered with the greatest bitterness at the cape overcoat were compelled to admit when Jack spoke plece" at any of their entertainments that he spoke it out of sight"
 It was not surprising, therefore, that when Bob Chilson, who was sitting smoking in the tireman's $ room, said: Jack, you ought to go on the stage" Jack answered: That's exactly what am going to do."
 There was an uncomfortable pause for moment, during which Bob did his best not 10 look doubtful. At last he said: Are you going tc give up your job?"
 T won't if I can hold it and travel about the country with a troupe" re- piled Jack, but they'd have to get an- ether man to do my work and they wouldn't want 10 pay us both wages, so I suppose l might just about as well quit"
 Eight months later the eX-fireman. thin ana .lggard blue about the upper lip and jowl, shabby in attire and with shoes worn to the quick, was sitting in a room in his friend $ flat telling him all about it.
 1t was mighty meteoric career" he said. T shot athwart the starry 1irma- ment in blaze of glory for just about as long as it would take you to say seat and then they didn't do q thing to me.
 II went to New York when I quit lie road and got in with the Croty- Damiens company. The managers Tame was Croty and his wife's name was Damiens. and he had been dressed down with powder edpumice and hand polished, I want to tell you. He sold me wardrobe the first thing, and after ward he sold it. for me and held out 20 Fer cent. commission. Croty was bout the warmest baby in the bunch, and there was only one bunch. He was go- irg to star me all the time as long as my money held out, and then he shook me down to third peasant. I saw how it was by that time, but I couldn't help myself for awhile. I hated to go to playing cornet in the orchestra but it was the only thing there was. I've seen whole lot of country and I've travelled on tie passes more than I expected to. It's a life full of interest, not to say anxiety. is an actors. But I think on consideration I'd about as soon have an sctive position in the street-clea1ing department. Are they giving out these led civil-scrvice tickets this year, Bob, or can any husky boy get broom?"
 You stay right here with me until you strike something" said Bob, cor Gially. I'll do what ' can for you. You'd better get you some clothes the first thing"
 For three weeks the convalescent victim of stage mania diligently an sWered advertisements in person and by letter, almost invariably to find that the places that he sought were filled by the time he made his application. He finally obtained an engagement as gardener, which he filled for three days. and then he quit at the request of his employer, whose orchids he had pruncd close to the root to increase their growth. After this episode he found temporary favor in the eyes Of the manager of a wholesale grocery in Wabash avenue, who was taking stock. At the end of the week he re- ceived nine dollars and an intimation that his services were no longer need ed. That was simply on account of a few purely accidental errors and omissions. He wanted to turn the nine dollars over to his friend and benefac tor, but that person, remembering re- morsefully that he had suggested the