The Wadsworth dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1892-1899, 1899-03-25
A TRAMP %RAILR0ADER.

staggering along the main street OF Ell
Paso, jingling a handful of gold coins,
and looked as though he fels that the
town belonged to him. His shoes
screaked noisily, and his aashy suit of
clothes was so new you could still see
the imprints OF a Jews hand in the back
of his coat. The gilded brake chain
hanging to his vest was suggestive of a
watch as large as a car wheel, and its
brightness testified to its recent pur-
chase. He was a new conner, l WAS told,
and was in luck, having the night be-
lore broken one of the numerous faro
games then hourishing in the town. He
passed on down the street and turned
into a gambling house. The next day
he came into my office. The new clothes
had been replaced by a greasy suit that
had seen many days, If not better ones
the glaring watch chain was not visible,
but the swagger was, and he entered
the Office with the air of a man who
wanted to buy the railroad and had call
ed in merely to ask the price.
care you the superintendent" he
asked fitting his hat on the back of his
head.
Eyes" l replied. "What can do for
you"
"Need any mem"
"What can you do?" l asked in reply.
Jerk lightning, | reckon. Give me "a
key, an I'll show you," he replied,
walking around behind the railing and
taking off his coat.
l seated him at a table and give him a
file of messages to send. He opened the
key and began calling with a practiced
hand. II. L." Chihuahua replied, and
then he began sending. With neve an
error, faster and faster he went until the
man in chihuahua, who was reputed
the best operator on the road, "broke, y
and asked him to 20 slower.
He finished the messages and turned
to me. ''That style suit your" he asked.
eyes you are a good OPERATOR" | re-
piled. where did you come from?'
"What's that got to do with my get
ting a job? My pedigree WON'T make
my work any better, will it?" he asked.
Good men were scarce along the Rio
Grande in those days, SO we we're not over
particular about hunting up their pre-
vious records, and as | needed an opera
tor | engaged Baker without further
question. A few days later, however, |
won his confidence by the proffered loan
of ten dollars To enable him to make
himself more presentable, and by in
direct questions | drew from him the
secret OF the cause Of his coming ~
Mexico.
"Yes, of course, I've had some good
jobs,'' he said between puffs, as he lit
an ancient rorncob pipe. Job had in
New Mexico was better'n this one"
'Quit to come down To Mexico for
your health?" | asked carelessly.
mot exactly" he replied. Fact is
got hit in the neck with a time check
100 bau," | remarked sympathetic
ally. "How did it happen"
''Oh, it was because got lonesome,'
he replied. you see, | Was agent up
there at u place called %Isleta, an Indian
pueblo, you know, and | WAS fired for
having a little fun with the Indians"
did they report you?9"
"No. You see, it was this way There
were lots OF Indians hanging around all
the time, but they're no more company
han a herd OF burros, and as the white
men were mighty scarce some days I'll
get so mortal lonesome I'd feel like c3m-
uniting suicide. One day, when | WAS
feeling SO blue was thinking about TAX
ing my time and going back to Gods
country, happened to notice a bunch
OF Indians standing around the water
pipe. | watched 'em Tor a while, aud
then ! saw an opening for a little fun
that would liven things up Il bit.
II %rustlel around the station and
tished NJ ii piece OF insulated wire, and Il
piece OF sheet iron about three by iour
then waiaed az the track and got 4