Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1902-03-12
groan as he handled the heavy sticks
we used for fuel.

groan as he handled the heavy sticks
we used for fuel
The heat of the weather, added to
that OF the furnace and the unusual
work, made him look a if he was in a
turkish bath. The water ran down
his face. his stiff white collar hung
down on his shoulders like a wet rag
and his beautiful smooth shirt bosom
looked as if some one had thrown a
pail OF dirty water over him.
HIS hands were torn and cut from
handling the wood, and take if alto
gether he was the most unlikely-look-
ing railway president 1 ever saw.
Once in awhile had to shout at him to
lay the wood even in the furnace. and
would tell him he would get the knack
of it in time
Whenever he tried to rest I told him
we were losing steam, and if he wanted
to catch that train he mustn't idle over
the work
II 1 had Thought to hitch cat on
when we started we should have run
much smoother; but it was too late to
think OF that now, and so on we rushed,
now through woodlands. now past
grain fields, rurching first to one side
and then to the other, until / expected
every minute to land wrong side up
in the ditch.
However. luck was with us that night,
and we pulled up at Junction City at
just II. Poor old Billy could hardly
climb down from the engine, but he
managed to gasp out:
Come to my office at two o'clock
next Saturday"
learned afterward that, finding the
Chicago train was behind time, he
hunted up a clothing store and rugged
himself out so as to look like civilized
man, which he didn't when he left me.
/ managed to find a fireman who was
willing to make the run back with me.
and finally got home at three O'Clock.
and, finding the cleaners little So
bered up. got to bed a soon as pos sible.
told Bob about my trip next day,
and thought he would die laughing to
think of old Billy playing fireman. But
all he said was:
"I'rn afraid that'u settle your hash.
Jim, for he will find out that you
worked him more than was needed"
The next Saturday at two O'Clock I
reported at the presidents office. won
dering whether I was going to be re-
warded for my extra work or get kicked
out for my impudence.
When l entered the office there sat
the old man, spick and span as ever,
and showing no signs of his hard work.
'Well. young man." says he, "you
helped me out the other night, but I
would not go through the same expert
ence again for $4,000. At the same
time l think you were trying to get
even with me for not doing what you
asked about your salary, and I have
concluded that this line can dispense
with your services"
At this my heart went down into nv
boots, for l can tell You it isn't an easy
thing to get new job when you can't
bring recommendation from your last
Place. Then he went on to say:
II have letter here from the super
intendent of the Chicago & Western,
asking if l can recommend to them an
engineer who has sharp eye and cool
head to run their new fast night ex-
press. l have written in reply that I
Martin, who will report for service the
1st of September. The pay will be $500
a month. l may add to you privately
that ] shall never apply to you for the
position of fireman. Good day, SIR"
That's all there is to my story.
Molly and l were married and went to
Chicago to live. I took the new train,
and have brought her in on time eyery
trip I've run, so you can see I've a
pretty good record with the company.
I've never seen Billy since, and don't
believe he wants to see me; for Bob
told me the last time 1 saw him that
they called the old man Martins fire.
man." that he knew it, and naturally
didn't like it. There's my mate sig
mailing for me now, sir, and must go.
IN. Y. Daily News.