Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-05-05
A RAPlDPROMOTION

CO HE day was one of October's rar-
est. The car windows were all
open, and the swift motion Great
ed a pleasant draft, that carried no
suggestion of coughs or colds with it.
1t was car No. 511 of the main line,
and the conductor was No. 3S1.
He was a pleasant appearing conduc-
tor, was No. 3S1, young and well built,
with bright gray eyes. and his cap tilt
ed back on his head in true boysh
fashion. He was an alert conductor,
too, and keenly alive to the responsible
tiles of his place. He helped old la
dies and children aboard. he made the
passengers sit closer. he kept Il sharp
supervision over all the details.
There was Il tall man with gray hair
. and white mustache on the back plat
form, very well-dressed man. who
seemed deeply interested in the trip.
He had bodrIcd the car while No. 3Sl
was inside collecting fares, and. as this
collecting process took some time, the
gray-haired man had chance to make
a study of the rOadbed as the car rum
bled along. He was looking over the
platform rail when No. 3S1 tapped him
lightly on the shoulder.
Fare, please"
The grayhaired man slipped his fin
gers into his change pocket and drew
out a half dollar. AS he pushed it to-
wari No. 3S1 he slightly turned his
head.
George" He couldn't repress lit
tie start of surprise.
Hello, father" said No. ISL, as he
thrust the coin inc the proper pocket.
"Tckets!'
NO" replied the gray-haired man
with some sharpness. He stared hard
at No 3Sl as he counted out the change
and thrust it into his hand.
"Transfer?'
NO" snapped the older man.
How are you. father?'
well enough. How is it with you:'
Fine" la ghed No. 3S1. Then lie
looked Il li,:.e wistfully at the gray
haired man. Il wouldn't mind shaking
han with you, father. It's four
years, you know. since l had the
chance"
The old man slowly put out his hand,
and No. 3Sl gave it IL warm pressure.
Getting down to the husks,
George?'
"Husks, father? oh, l remember
now. You allude to the unfortunate
young man in the Sunday school les
son, the young man who lived on husks
and tended swine. Yes, yes. But there
have been no Lusks on my menu, faith
er, and the end seat car hog is the
nearest approach to the porkers. No,
l get three good meals a day and car
ry home my SD every Saturday night"
He laughei as he said it, his eye on the
interior of the car.
But can't you get something better
than this:'
Haven't tried. You see this was
the best | could do after being thrown
out Of a better job by the burning Of
the bicycle factory, and promised the
trolley superin endent that | would
stay in the employ of the road at least
year if they'd take me on. and lust
six months of it have passed. Change
here for the Ellingwood belt line
The old man followed No. 3S1 with
his keen gray eyes, that We're very
much like the conductors. though deep
err set, and Il new light came into them.
"You are married. GeOrge?'
II wrote you that | was. father
There was n little silence
"And have little boy. father :;
years Old. | wish you could see him.
Why can't you? We live at No. 81
Cornwall street. close to the end of this
line. You'd be very welcome. father" y
The face of the old man hardened, and
he shook his head.