The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-07-16

LAST
%.


VI
from his seat and set out on the rear
platform of the car. II there was suf-
ficient time he would go out on the sta
tion platform and walk up and down.
When he returned to his seat his eyes
were either on the landscape. or on his
watch, or on the bundle of papers he
drew from an inner pocket
The train boy was in the habit of
studying the passengers. He sets this
particular passenger down as an anna
teur traveller who was afraid he might
miss something.
Business was duh with the train boy.
1t was a hot June day, and customers
were scarce when the thermometer
climbed up in the sos, and the air was
full of dust, and the flying landscape
was almost painful to look at in its
dazzling brightness. The train boy had
stacking up his goods on seat at one
end of the car. He felt little lone
some, and slowly strobe up the car
aisle. He paused beside a scat on
which sat gray haired woman of
very neat but unassuming appearance.
The boy stopped over.
Anything I can get for you grand
MAJ" he asked in his CHEEKY way.
Drink of water?"
The elderly woman looked up and
smilney shook her head.
"All right" said the boy. you just
motion to me If there's anything you
need. I'll be round somewhere"
He moved along until he came TO the
quiet man, who for the moment hap
pened to be idle. The boy perched him
self on the arm of the opposite seat.
tot at IIa
still young man, but with face that
seemed to bear the impress of much
experience. He knit his brows slightly
as he looked the boy over.
sid down. my lad" he said, as he
pointed to the seat in front of him,
which was turned over so as to face
the quiet mans seat
The train boy took the seat He
looked up at the quiet man.
Guess it's your first trip over the
line, amt it?" he asked.
What makes you thing so?"
You're so fidgety," said the boy.
you're afraid you're going to miss
something. 1t seems little funny to
me, you know, cause I've been over
| the road every blessed day for the last
| four years"
IL,
| the quiet man.
Don't T." laughed the boy. 81 used
| to make study of it, but I got tired
| of that. When | first came on ] was
| a little scared, you know. 'Fraid we'd
| jump the track or the trestles, or
something. And used to listen to the
old clumpety- -clumping until it sort o.
| made songs for me, an after a while
| IL. Ii
! piece o. the road"
You're something of a poet" said
| the quiet man.
81 guess not" laughed the boy. Be
ing a train boy will knock the poetry
out of a fellow bout as quick as any
| thing. l guess"
| Perhaps you are right" said the
quiet man. Il was train boy for a
| little while myself"
YOU" cried the boy. He laughed as
if the idea amused him. II don't be-
| lieve you was much good at it," he
| said. You haven't got enough cheek. -
| Well" said the quiet man with a
laugh that family echoed the boys, 81
didn't keep the Job long. I,was rather
glad, remember, when was promoted
to brakeman, and still more glad when
left that job to be a telegraph opera.
tor"
Well say" cried the boy, "you
know more about rairoading than
gave you credit for
But | feel pretty sure you know a
good deal more about this particular
piece of railroading than l DO" said
| the quiet man.
| Perhaps" said the boy. "Guess
can tell the poor spots along the line
about as we'll as anybody. ] know
there's a sharp curve just this side o
Billetsburg that ought to be straighten-
ed. And there's a rough piece neal
| Baynevile that needs relayin'. An
know we're goin' TO strike the worst
section of all when we pass Ketorah
They've been talking about relaying II
for. months, but they don't do it,"
Yes" said the quiet man as he drew
a paper from his pocket and pencilled
"A note on the margin
80 you're a railroad man." continu.
| ed the boy, as he studied the strangers
appearance.
I'm something of railroad man.
was the reply. What branch would
you imagine me to he in?"
The boy looked him over carefully.
We'll" he said, II guess you're q
freight conductor goin' home to spenC
your vacation with your mother"
The quiet man laughed loud.
"A good guess" he said, and laugeC
again, Then he added II suppose yol
are glad to spend your vacations with
your mother?"
"Me?" said the boy. 81 don't re-
member that | ever had mother. In
just boy out of the streets. An aun
that turned me adrift is the only rela
tive remember. Besides / don
have any vacations"
Didn't hear you call one of the pas
sengers grandma" inquired the quie
man.
Yes" replied the boy II called he
that because she looks like the kind o
grandma a boy would like to have. lv,
had my eye on her ever since she cam
aboard at Berwick She knows In
lookin' out for her an it makes he
feel more comfortable. Every trip nov
look out for somebody-just pick 'en
out. you know, an kind o. keep
watchful eye on 'em. 1t makes tn
ride a little more pleasant for then
you know, an I guess it does for m
some good, too. An besides, II help
to pass away the time"
The stranger looked at the boy Wit
a new interest.
What's your name?" he asked.
Jack" said the boy, Jack Man
ming" He looked out of the wndoy
as he spoke. I'VE are pust passin
Ketorah," he said. Wen strike tina
tough bit of road in a minute or tive
You'll notice the bumpin' all right"
80 you get no vacations?" said tn
d stranger. IAN work and no play mus
make Jack Manning a duh boy"
The train hoy laughed