Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1903-08-18
STARTING A RAILROAD MAN.
Young Man Had College Education
But Took Office Boys Place.

Young Man Had College Education
But Took Office Boys Place.
| It all occurred in the Atlanta rail-
road world, and it so happened that
the Constitution man was in on the
first chapter.
It was this way:
One of the officials Of the road sat
in his chair debating to a young man
the while he sorted with skilful hands
and a quick eye certain typewriter
sheets of brownish paper that in the
railroad world mean orders. 1T will
be impossible to hold thirty-nine for
the time you suggest, but if you can
guarantee 125 we will run second
section that will make the east
ern connections" The dry mono
tone Of the dictator was broken by the
appearance Of clerk in the doorway
who, with the pause, announced
waiting visitor.
The face of the official wore bored
expression as he finished the letter
and then touched an electric button for
the caller to be shown in.
How are you?" he said affably as
he greeted the first Of the two per-
sonages; whats the good word?"
why, I've got boy here who wants
to be a railroad president" was the
response, land I want you to make
one out of him."
"By appointment or. promotion?'
asked the railroad official trying hard
to look pleasant no matter how pain
full
| well, the materials q little raw for
the first" the father laughed, land l
reckon the sudden change would be a
little stiff on Willy. Shake hands with
him, anyway"
| The official and the raw material
got together as directed and the for
mer sized up the latter from his pat
ents to the well-deflned part that ran
through the centre Of his hair with
the quick, scrutinizing glance that
comes with a long practical training In
the railroad world. He paused for
moment at the crimson tie that was
backed up against a pink shirt waist.
Don't appear to be much sign of oil
or cinders," he commented. Where
did you work last?"
"Neven have worked, sir. I've just
left college about a month"
| Don't let that discourage you,' re-
turned the official. I'VE have men on
the road who have succeeded in spite
of college training. What can you
do?"
| Nothing more than try"
| The official turned to the father. Il
suppose he has always shown Won
derful love for railroads. Used to beg
his nurse to take him where he could
see the wheels go round and knows
the number Of at least three Of the
trains on the main line. They all do
that" said the official, and to the close
observer it was evident that there was
| a tired If not sarcastic tone in his
voice like that which comes at the end
of long day of debating orders and
letters.
mo" answered the father. ~ don't
remember ever hearing anything Of
the kind. Willy has made considera-
BILE mistakes off and on, but 1 never
heard him accused Of being genius.
How about it SON."
Not on purpose, dad. I've been
reading law lately, and it has taken
me just one month to find out that l
never was intended for a lawyer"
"Well, If you're looking for some
thing easy. it won't take you two days
to learn that railroading is about as
near the hardest work in the world
with sick headache thrown in that
you have yet missed in your search for
employment. I don't know that we can
do anything for you, anyway. You see,
the president of this corporation Is not
only giving excellent satisfaction to the
directors, but is enjoying excellent
health, and that position is not vacant.
In fact, I don't know of a single open
| ing unless it is that Of office boy Our
present incumbent is off on his vaca-
ton, and his substitute refused to
clean up mess / carelessly made, on
the ground that he did not break into
the railroad business to become a mig
ger porter. The result was that had
to let this Napoleon of the future seek
new fields to conquer, while I did the
work he refused to do. When it comes
TO work you will find that railroad men
are just about as common as the rock
ballast used on heavy grades and
there's deal more have graduated
from overalls and jumpers than have
got degrees, although | don't deny
that the theoretical training is great
thing to refer to after you have for
gotten some of the unnecessary in
formation acquired college educa-
ton is a good deal like a good woman.
| she may make Il great appearance
while you are engaged, but you never
know how much she is really worth in
a practical way until long after you've
been married Now, If you wanted to
take that boys place, it may be |
could get you job as a section hand
or perhaps a fagman by the time the
regular boy comes back--that Is, if
you want to learn the railroad busi-
mess"
I'll take it and thank you, sir"