The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-07-25

the girl as for him. And he often wondered which one of the "boys" tossed up apples and candy peanuts and made engagements for "off nights and Sundays and kept things generally merry and lively.
 Then one day old Duffy came down on the switch engine with orders to lay off" and "clean up" and be at the office by o'clock.
 McNally trembled as he took the pipe from his mouth.
 Whats up. Duffy?" he asked.
 Duffy grinned stolidly.
 'I don't know-Jim jest 'tol me to come down ere"
 McNally went up the ladder slowly. Jenny. my girl" he said at the kitchen door. I'm sent for to the or flee. Give me a little hot water"
 She came out to the back door and held the towel for him while he latn- cred his face.
 whats 1t for?'' she asked.
 "I dunno. Mebbe the west switch, mebbe I'm laid off. Who can tell? I'm the same as dead down there to hear things" 4e "Mebbe it's. better SOL she said gently. then your minds on 1t"
 That's so," .he returned. but it's queer to go arnong men after so long. It sorti'o' confuses me.
 He had no fine clothes. What use would he have had for them? He brushed off a little and picked up his cap.
 Well. wish me good luck" he said, but Jenny was nowhere in sight-un- til he reached the street. She was there with her hat and sack on.
 Pm going down town myself" she said, eff you'll let me keep your com- pany."
 "Rut my clothes. Jenny"
 She laughed.
 You're no hand to spend your money on fine things, are you!"
 He had 8 mind to tell her then of what lay buried under the switch house. but he reasoned that it could make little difference to her. So he sat stolid and unhappy during the progress of the street car toward the freight offices. T was going down on the switch engine" he finally announced, but I clean forgot it when you said you'd go along"
 She laughed merrily. At the door she hung back.
 "Mebbe you wouldn't mind my wait ing bit. McNally," she said wistfully, you see we're anxious for our boarder."
 The man stumbled in and finally To- | cated the new offices. It seemed a | long time before he succeeded in reach ing the superintendent to whom he was to report. He was a man Mo Nally had never seen, a man with an | inscrutable face. "McNaliy, let me zee! O yes, you are at the east switch-been there five years. Never had an accident, heh?'' Why, no sor-
 Never reported as absent-or asleep -or drunk?" McNally looked indignant. No, sor!" His questioner looked him over | from head to foot. Most of the men spruce up when they're called in-sort of try to look | fine" s "Yes, sor,"
 But you came as you were, see.' '' Yes, sor-I have no better clothes, | sor-I don't need 'em." The older man eyed him sharply.
 You are certainly a good example of contentment. Now, we're going to remove you from your present place. How would you like the west switch | to begin with?" McNally stared ahead in a troubled manner for fully two minutes. In that time he tried to realize another | life, a life outside the cut, the flower garden, the red building lifted high above. the song in the morning air, | faces-aye, one face best of all, over | the ledge. Then he said hoarsely:
 ''Thanky, sor, but must l changer" "Why, man, itAs a promotion and to recognize faithful service. You are in | a living tomb, the worst place in the ! yards or on the line. But if you don't want to change
 "Thanky, sir, think I'll stay. if ye please" said McNally, "it was hard at first, but I'm used to it now. think Ill stay"
 When he reached the outer dool Jenny was waiting. Her face wa: eager enough.
 "Well, and what, McNally?"
 Wanted me to go over to wes switch or somewhere. I told him It stay where I was and thanky.'
 But it's a getting on."
 "I couldn't go, Jenny
 "Mebte you'll say why then"
 McNally shuffled his feet and huns l sadly:
 Its you that should know"
 Jenny twitched his arm.
 You goose! You knew I'd have gon, along, Now go back and tell then you'll take it."
 70 Jenny! I couldn't"
 Then I will"
 She marched in and he followed he meekly. even indicating where sh should go. So that the surprised su perintendent looked up to see tn quixotic idiot he had failed to rewart standing before him with a red cheeke, girl in shabby jacket and hat
 Please, sir" began Jenny. "McNall. will take the advance and be obliged You see he dfdn't take two thought on 1t when he refused"
 And you did," smiled the railroa man.
 That's my place." said Jenny. "fo a man that's been fixed like him an, done his work faithful is doing 1t be cause it is his duty, and that don leave much time for outside thinking So. I'm thinking for him. sir, am we'll be obliged for the best plac you've got vacant just now"
 And McNally's orbit widened con