The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-14
The ambulance Corps Man.

| they've IraVeleQ along WIN Tie, you
| see."
| But the other didn't seem to see. In
] fact he looked annoyed, and relapsed
| into silence, and the study of his book
His name was Samuel Virgins, but
| he was known generally as "old
| Sammy" He had been porter at the
| adjacent station, but just as the time
when the railway authorities were
| thinking of experimenting him he
came into a legacy, and was able to
retire on a small income of his own.
During some years of his employment
| he had been attached to one of the am
| bulance classes-or corps as they are
called-of which there are now many
on all, the railways. The object is, Of
course, that the railway staff shall be
qualified to render what is termed
First Aid to sufferers from accidents
of any. kind; and the directors give
every encouragement to the move
ment. There are frequent competitions
between corps from different sta
tons or localities: numerous prizes are
offered, and these are distributed by
distinguished persons at public gath
erings; and among a large number OF
railway employees 1t Is a matter of the
highest ambition to obtain a medal or
certificate Of efficiency as well as to
carry off prizes from competing COM
panies from other districts.
Old Sammy had been one of the first
to join an ambulance class, and had
worked hard and enthusiastically
throughout. He had his medals and
certificates, and-jointly with others
in his "corps"-had won prizes which
had been presented amid the plaud1tS
of select. and appreciative witnesses
He was known up and down the line
as one of the cleverest and most eX-
perienced at the drill, and was corre-
spondingIy elated. In fact, he made
a hobby of 1t; and now that he had lit,
tie IL anything to do he still made 1t
his constant study. Only, Sammy
was getting old and a little shaky-
and, sooth to say. there were those who
even called him "dotty." Their belief
was that poor old Sammy had worked
at ''First Aid till it had turned his
brain; that an overmastering longing
had taken possession Of hinl-a yearn-
ing to put his knowledge into practice
before his death. And it was limited
that, having never met with an oppor-
tunity of doing this he now haunted
the neighborhood of the railroad in
sort of half crazy expectation that one
day his services might be put into
requisition.
Be this as 1t may, it is certain that
almost every day throughout the year
Sammy was to be seen hanging about
the station or seated near the rail-
road track, with his carpet bag-which
1t was said contained Appliances
and pouring over the pages of 1.-The
Ambulance Pupil OF First Aid to the
Injured" aH
Presently Mr.. Curtis, who guessed
that Sammy was a bit Of a character
proceeded by careful advances to draw
him out, and very soon was In possess
sion of nearly all the information
above set forth. He listened atten-
lively, and at the end observed:
"Now, suppose / were to put on an
injured air, what would you do for my
relief"
Sammy made a gesture of annoyance
and replied in a tone of some disgust:
$50 long as your cad was all right,
l shouldn't trouble about your air. l
amt barber
Mr.. Curtis laughed and suggested
another case.
We'll, if one of my locomotives met
with an accident, would you know how
to treat it? Could you repair dam
ages?''
Engines amt like human bein's,"
answered Sammy impatiently. What
we has to do is to relieve sufferin' En-
gines amt got no feelin's."
There you're wrong returned Mr.
Curtis, with much gravity. I've known
more than one that had tender attach
ment."
But Sammy only shifted unappreciative-
lly, and, to turn the conversation. pointed
to an express that was dashing past.
There's the new sleepin' saloon car
riages," he said.
"Oh, yes; I've heard of them. There's
queer difficulty that has cropped up
about them, l have been given to un-
derstand"
whats that?'
why, the question has been raised as
to whether the company's bylaws apply
to them. or not Some Of the directors
are Of the opinion that they ought to
frame special rules for them and call
them by-by-laws."
Sammy was about to make some very
pertinent observation, when his attention
was drawn to a workman that had come
from one of the workshops. Sammy spoke
to the man civlly, but was answered
roughly and jeered at in return.
Who's that?" asked Mr.. Curtis, when
the man had passed. Friend of yours?"
''He's a mechanic from the engineering
workshops over yonder,'' was the reply:
commented Mr.. Curtis.
mo. sir; he be a bit surly at times"
"Ah! sort of uncivil engineer, I sup
pose Eh?"
Sammy made no reply. He did not care
for the others constant Joking. He was
Meantime an engine that was being shunt-
ed had stopped near them and was wait
ing for the signal to start again. Mr.. Cur
It's looked at his watch.
II must be, going" he said. II will
say good day. and many thanks for your
entertaining lecture on ambulance work.
Shouldn't wonder if they don't make. you
sort of grand master of the business
one of these days; or, at least, a deputy
grand assistant First Aid or lemonade,
or gingerade, or"
Now. look ere, sir" Sammy exclaim-
3D. firing up wrathfully, II dent want
none of your chaff."
Mr.. Curtis had stepped on the rail,
not noticing that the driver on the shunt-
ing engine was just touching the "regu-
lator," preparatory to starting. He turn
ed round and called out with a chuckle:
..You should never say 'chaff.' All we'll
brought-up railway men call it rail
lery.'
It was the last attempt at pun he was
feted to make for some time. for the en-
CINE had begun to move in the noiselesss
manner of well-tended locomotive, and
the next moment the incorrigible joker
was living beneath it.
When he was pulled out on the side he
showed no signs Of life The stoker. who
had jumped off the engine to his assist
ahce. began shouting to some men In the
diStance' hut Sammy told him to be quiet.
81 hi 20 ha6