Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-20

stockings. and strong as draw-bar. Be
tween Neighbor and the old fireman there
existed some sort of a honda liking, an
affinity. Dad Hamilton had fired on our
division ten years. There was no promo
ton for Dad; ne could never be an engi-
neer though only Neighbor knew why. But
his job of firing on the river division was
sure as long as Neighbor signed the pay
rolls at the round-house.
Hence there was no surprise when the
superintendent offered him an engine. just
after the strike, that Dad refused to take it.
Il m a fireman, and NeighbOr knows it.
/ amt no engineer. I'll make steam for any
man you put in the cab with me, but l
won't touch a throttle for no man. l laid
1t down, and I'll never pinch it again-an'
no offense [ you, Neighbor, neither
Thus ended negotiations with Dad on
that subject: threats and entreaties were
useless. Then, too, in spite of his professed
willingness TO throw coal for any man we
put on his engine he was continually row.
ing about the green runners we gave MIN.
From the standpoint of a railroad man
they were a tough assortment; for fellow
may be good painter or a handy man
with jackplane or an expert machinst
even. and yet failure as an engine runner.
After We got hold of Foley Neighbor put
him on awhile with Dad, and the grizzled
fireman quickly declared that Foley was
the only man on the payroll who knew
how TO move train.
The little chap proved such a remarka Bile
find that l tried hard to get some of his
eastern chums to come out and join him.
After a good bit of hustling we did get
half a dozen more Reading boys for our
new corps of engine men, but the east end
officials kept all but one of them on their
own divisions. That one we got because
nobody on the east end wanted him.
They We crimped the whole bunch
Foley said l, answering his inquiries.
There's just one fellow reported here He
came in on this morning. Neighbor's
had little tax with him. but he doesn t
think much Of him. l guess were out the
transportation on that fellow"
What's his name?' asked Foley. rs
he off the Reading?"
Claims he is. His name IS McNeal-"
'McNeal! echoed Foley, surprised. Not
George McNeai?
Il don't know what his first name Is.
He's nothing but boy
Dark -complexioned fellow?"
Perhaps you'd call him that; sort of
soft-spolien."
George McNeal. sure's you're born. If
you've got him you've got bird He ran
opposite me between New York and Phila-
delphia on the limited. 1 want to him
right OFF II its George you're all right"
Foleys talk went a good WAYS with me
any time. When I told Neighbor about It
he prcked up his ears. While we were de-
batting in rushed Foley with the young fell
low-the kid as ne called him. Neighbor
made another survey of the ground in short
order; run a new line. Foley would have
said. The upshot Of it was that McNeal
was assigned to an engine straightway.
AS luck would have II, Neighbor put the
boy on the 244 with Dad Hamilton. and
Dad proceeded at once to make what Foley
termed "a great roar"
What's the matter?" demanded Neigh
Dor roughly, when the old fireman COM
planned.
IF you're goin' to pull these trains with
boys guess it's time for me to quit; I'm
gettin pretty old. anyhow
What's the matter?' growled Neighbor
still surlier. knowing full well that If the
old fellow had good reason he would have
blurted II out at the start.
Nothin's the matter; only I'd like my
time"
You won't get it," said Neighbor rough
H. Go back on your run. II McNeal don't
behave report him TO me, and he'll get his
time.
1t was g favorite trick of Neighbor's.
Whenever the old fireman got to .'bucking'
about his engineer the master mechanic
threatened to discharge the engineer That
settled 1t; Dad Hamilton wouldn't for the
world be the cause OF throwing another
man out Of a job, no matter how little
he liked him.
The old fellow went back to work moili-
fed; but 1t was evident that he and McNeai
didn't half get on together. The boy was
not much OF a talker; yet he did his work
well. and Neighbor said. next to Foley, he
was the best man We had
. WHATS the reason Hamilton and McNeal
can't hit it Of. FoleyT' asked one night.