New-York tribune., 1901-07-07
ENVOY.
HIS LAST TRIP.


The train boy watched the quiet man in the
: dark blue suit with some curiosity. He was
quiet man, and yet strangely restless. At every
station he would rise from his seat and step out
on the rear platform Of the If there
vas sufficient time he would go out on the sta
ton platform and walk up and down. When he
returned to his seat his eyes were either on the
landscape on his watch, or on a bundle OF
papers he drew from inner pocket.
The train boy was in the habit IF studying
the passengers He set this particular passen-
ger down amateur 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 SIS.
and the air was full Of dust and the flying land
scape was almost painful to look at in its daz-
zling Brightness The train boy had stacked up
his goods end of the car He
felt a little lonesome, and slowly strote up the
aisle He paused beside a seat on which
sat a gray haired woman of very neat but un-
assuming appearance The boy stopped over.
Anything / can get for you, grandma" he
asked in his cheery way Drink Of water?''
The elderly woman looked up and smiliagly
shook her head
''All right" said the boy. You just motion II
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 happened TO be idle.
The boy perched himself the of the OPP
pcsite The quiet man looked up at him
He still young man. but with face that
seemed bear the impress of much experience.
He knit his brows slightly he looked the
boy over
sit down, my lad" he said he pointed to
J the seat in front Of him. which turned over
SO to face the quiet mans seat
The train boy took the seat He looked up at
the quiet
Guess it's your first trip the line. amt
it?" he asked.
What makes you think so?"
You're 50 hdgety" said the boy. You're
afraid you're going to miss something. It seems
a little funny me. you know. cause I've been
the road every blessed day for the last
four years
You know all about it. them" said the quiet
man.
Don't -" laughed the boy. Il used to make
a study Of it, but 1 got tired Of that. When |
first ] little scared, you know.
'Fraid we'd jump the track or the trestles. or
something. An / used to listen TO the old
clumpety-clumping until il sort o made songs
for me. an after while there a kind of
song for every piece o the road.
You're something Of a poet" said the quiet
man.
Il guess not" laughed the boy. Being
train boy will knock the poetry out of fellow
bout as quick anything. / guess.
Perhaps you right" said the quiet man.
Il was a train boy for little while myself"
You" cried the boy. He laughed if the
idea amused him. Il don't believe 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 Il didn't keep the job
long ] was rather glad / remember. when i
was promoted to brakeman. and still more glad
when ] left that job to be telegraph operator"
Wen. say" cried the boy you know more
about railroading than L gave you credit for"
but feel pretty sure you know a good deal
about this particular piece of railroading
than DO" said the quiet man.
PERHAPS" said the boy. Guess i can tell
the poor spots along the line about as well as
anybody. i know there's a sharp curve just this
side y Betsburg that ought TO be Strengthened.
And there's rough piece near Bayneville that
needs relayin'. An ] know were goin' to strike
the worst section Of all when pass Ketorah
They've baeu talking about relaying il for