The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-20

a seat at one end of the car. He felt
little lonesome, and slowly strobe UP the
car aisle He paused beside seat on which
sat a gray-haired woman OF very neat but
unassuming appearance. The boy stopped
over
Anything I can get for you, grandma"
he asked in his CHEEKY way. Drink of
water?"
The elderly woman looked up and smil-
ingly shook her head.
''All right" said the boy. you just mo-
ton 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 happened
10 be idle The boy perched himself on the
arm OF the opposite seat. The quiet man
looked UP at him. He was still young
man. but with a face that seemed 10 bear
the impress Of much experience. He knit
his brows slightly as he looked the boy
over
"Sit down, my lad he said. as he pointed
to the seat in front of him. which was
turned over so as 10 face the quiet mans
seat.
The train boy took the seat. He looked up
at the quiet man.
amt it?" he asked.
What makes you think SOP
You're so fidgety," said the boy. You're
afraid you're going to miss something 1t
seems a little funny to me. you know, be-
cause I've been over the road every blessed
day for the last four years.
You know all about it, then" said the
quiet man.
had he hoy cad m
make study of it, but l got tired of that.
When l first came on l was a little scared,
you know. 'Fraid we'd jump the track or
the trestles, or something. An l used 10
listen to the old clumpety-clumpins until
ii sort o MADE songs for me, an after
while there was a kind of song for every
piece o the road"
You're something of poet" said the
Il guess not" laughed the boy Being a
train boy will knock the poetry out of a fell
low bout as quick as anything. guess
Perhaps you are right. said the quiet
man. Il was a train boy for little while
myself"
idea amused him. l don't believe you was
much good at it," he said You haven't
got enough cheek.
well. said the quiet man with laugh.
that family echoed the boys, Il didn't keep
the job long / was rather glad l remem-
Der, when / was promoted to brakeman,
and still more glad when L left that job TO
well say" cried the boy you know
more about railroading than I gave you
credit for
But l 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 l can
we'll as anybody. l know there's a sharp
curve just this side o. Billetsburg that
ought TO be Strengthened And there's
rough piece near Bayneville that needs re-
| layin'. An | know were goin' TO strike
! the worst section OF all when we pass ke-
torah. They've been talking about relaying
ii for months, but they don't do il.
Yes. said the quiet man as he drew
paper from his pocket and penciled note
on the margin.
so you're a railroad MANI" continued
the boy. as he studied the strangers APP
pearance.
I'm something or railroad man. was
the reply. What branch would you imag-
| inc me to be in?'
The boy looked him over carefully
well. he said. Il guess you're freight
conductor goin' home TO spend your vaca-
| ton with your mother"
! The quiet man laughed aloud.
a good guess he said and laughed
| glad to spend your vacations with your
mother"
member that l ever had mother I'm just
! a boy out of the streets. An aunt that
| turned adrift is the only relative / re-
| member Besides. L don't have any vaca-
! tons.
'Didn't l hear you call one of the pas
sengers gradma?'' inquired the quiet man
Yes" replied the boy 81 called her that
| because she looks like the kind of grandma
a boy would like TO have. I've had my eye
] on her ever since she came aboard at Ber-
wick She knows I'm lookin' out for her
Every trip now l look out for somebody
! just pick EN- out, you know. an kind o
/ keep a watchful eye on EN-. 1t makes the
/ ride a little more pleasant for them, you
! know, an / guess IL does me some good,
100. An besides, it helps TO pass away
The stranger looked at the boy with a
| new interest
Whats your Nance" he asked -.
! Jack" said the boy. Jack Manning"
He looked out of the window as he spoke
I'VE are Just passing Ketorah" he said
We'll strike that tough bit of road in a
minute or two. You'll notice the bumpin'
$50 You get no vacations?" said the
make Jack Manning Tirle, dull boy
Guess | amt specially dull" he said.
| besides. I'm going TO get what may be a
! cood. long vacation right away. This road
has got through with train boys; they re all
| laid off This is my last trip.
Your last trip echoed the stranger.
/ Scarcely had the words left his lips when
| the car gave a sudden lurch and careened
! There was a savage bump or two, and then,
! with a mighty crash. the car rolled. over
High arose a chorus of shrill shrieks and
| When the train boy got back his dazed
senses he found himself crawling up the
| bank OF the ditch. There was a bump on
J his head, a cut across his ear, and one OF
I his ankles wrcnched. lie looked
| around as he wiped his grimy face.
The train had been ditched and 1t was
] bad wreck. Ahead he could see the white
] cloud of steam that told of the engine s
position. The tender was piled above it,
and behind that came the baggage and
express cars and the four passenger cars,
| crushed against one another or lying bat
| tered and shattered along the ditch like so
many broken toys.
jack called a voice. The quiet man.
| with his head and shoulders projecting
| from a window. was calling 10 him. Here.
! Jack. give me a lift. l seem 10 be pinned
down by something.
! The boy mounted the side OF the crushed
car and with steady pull drew the quiet
l man out My arm is twisted, said the
| helped myself" He gazed around and
/ gave a little groan. Then ii seemed 70
] JACK as If his manner suddenly changed.
/ He straightened up and his eyes sparkled.
| I'VE must have help at once. he cried
| do you know where we are?
The next stop is Caldwell. bout three
miles ahead" answered Jack.
| And Johannesburg is nine miles beyond
| that" said the quiet man. They can
his injured arm and twinge ran through
/ him. He turned TO Jack
| Get down into the car and bring up my
/ bag he said with swift abruptness.
Jack quickly clambered through the win
dow and A moment later passed up the
Here" he suddenly called, here's