The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-12-11

Years ago when the Santa Fe fire
department was first started it was the
pride of the railroad officials here said
a retired shopman as he lighted his
pipe for a chat.
Il was a member of the department
then and often when a, high up Oflclat
from the east, or a brass collar as we
called them, came to visit the shops the
fire signal would be sounded for an
imaginary fire just to see how quick
the fire ladies could get the hose reel
out and to the place where the fire was.
zone. day several officials were visit
ing the shops and I heard the master
mechanic, who was plotting them
around, say that he would have the
whistle sound for IRE at the other
end of the yards. I thought 1 would
give our reputation q boost. l told the
members of the department what was
going to happen and where the fire
would be. Then 1 secreted myself in
the shed where the hose cart was held
and watched through the cracks
soon I saw the steam coming out of
the whistle before it commenced to
blow. 1 swung back the door and grab
bed the tongue of the hose reel and ran
out the door with it. Two of the other
fellows who worked near saw me and
ran to my help. Across the yard We
went on run. The other members of
the department saw US going. 1t had
been arranged for a switch engine to
be waiting for them. The engine was
there and they ran for it from dozen
different shops. Away We went with
the hose reel and the rickety old engine
went tearing through the yards with
the other fellows on board.
I'VE headed right for the place where
the fire was supposed to be. The brass
collars were waiting there for US We
saw them and ran the faster. We laid
our line of hose and had the water on
before we noticed that the whistle had
not sounded. Just then the signal was
given. ToOt-to ot-toot-toOt-tOOt went
the signal.
It's pretty good work when you
can beat the fire alarm said one of the
officials with a smile. The master me-
chanic was mad. That was the last
exhibition we ever gave"
In the days when the old settlers of
Shawnee county were new arrivals,
man by the name of Barton came here
from Ohio to start anew.
Barton bought a section of land on
time and went to work to build a barn
with lumber he had bought on time.
Then he filled the barn with wagons
and farming implements and stock that
had also been bought on time. He soon
got the reputation of the buying man.
of the community. When anyone had
anything to sell they went to Barton.
He never asked what the price was but
invariably wanted to know how much
time he could have.
He finally had the reputation of not
paying his debts promptly. The sher-
IF was kept busy attaching his pro-
perty and Barton was kept busy buy
ing adjusting attachments but each
time he managed to settle the matter
so his property was released.
Along in the summer a man from the
town in Ohio where Barton used to live
came to Topeka on business. on the
Fourth of July a large celebration and
picnic was arranged. Barton and the
man from Ohio went. Barton, determ-
lned to create good impression for
himself by having the Ohio man vouch
for his honesty in business transac-
tions, said to be the visitor in the pres
ence of the picnickers assembled for
lunch:
You and I used to have a good
many business transactions
Yes" said the Ohio man.
And l always paid you what owed
you said Barton triumphantly.
Yes" said the Ohio man. ct gen
orally had to sue you first but I always
got it."
A man with a silk hat. kid gloves and
spotless black Prince Albert walked in
to Kansas avenue shop a few days
ago, where all kinds of repairing are
done to pay q small bill.
He was one of these 'perfectly-pleas
ed-With- myself" appearing men and
talked in a very superior manner to the
mechanic who waited on him In the
back part of the room a man was fit
ting some records to a monograph. He
handed the proprietor a SO bill in pay
InenL ana the proprietor went across
the street to get it changed.
Where did you get that hat?' sang
a voice loud and clear from the back
part of the shop.
The man looked around but no one
was there except the man at work and
he was paying no attention to the man
with the hat.
I'm the bosom friend of Albert
Prince of Wales" sang the voice again.
The man clutched his cane firmly and
glared at the man who was working in
the back part of the room with his
back toward the would-be aristocrat.
Just tell them that you saw me-
sang the voice again
These taunts were meant for the man
with the silk hat on He knew it and
he would report the matter to the pro-
prietOr and have the man in the back
room pay dearly for his amusement.
You're not the only pebble on the
beach," was the next.
The mans face turned red. He was
ready to explode. He clenched his fists
and shook them at the man in the back
room.
ooh, go long and quit your foolin', >
sang the voice
The man with the hat paced the moor
in rage. He would have revenge
when the proprietor came back If the
man was not discharged he would not
have any more work done at that shop.
I don't like no cheap man." was the
next from the back of the room
Just then the front door opened and
the proprietor came in. The man with