Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1903-06-05
DUNAWAY ON
IN THE A. AND B.
BY JAMES EDMUND DUNNING. .....
Copyright. 1909, By T. G. Mcclure
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see, Palmer"
"No use" replied the general super
mtendent. His name came in two
hours ago. | told him to report here
next time he got drunk. This finishes
him."
Five minutes later old Tympan, aft
er forty years of service for the y. and
g., went tumbling down the stairs be-
cause he was drunk at the Hancock
street switch the day the directors
went up the line. Palmer had given
him pass home. eighty miles up the
road, and then fired him with ten of
the words Palmer wasn't accustomed
to using on ordinary jobs.
Train No. s pulled In while Tympan
fumbled the pass on the platform. and
he climbed I'm and found Il double seat
I'm the smoker lie knew only that he
was out of n job, with a full pint in
his coat and Palmer's transportation
to take him up home, where he could
camp down for the winter with the
boys. He had threatened that many
times. They deserved 1t for letting
him work for n living.
Taking vacation, Tympan" asked
Hennessy OF No. when he came
through for tickets. Tympan admitted
he was off for Il bit Of time up the
road.
Guess you amt coming back right
Off" taunted Hennessy THE return
check on your pass don't seem to be In
sight. Long lay of. eh. Tympan"
Iympan sat up, pulling his hat over
his eyes.
"Dick Hennessy," he said, you go
slow on yer klddin' r III roast you one
O. these days f'r bein' so smart. They've
fired me. you en- bet-yes. they have;
fired me good, but I'm next to Palmer
vet. An | heard what Palmer told
the G.. Z. 4. this mOrnin' about your
runnln over orders twice last week. l
know sOmethin', an don't you kid me
no more"
Train No. SIS conductor ignored the
challenge, partly because he dared DO
no more. He knew the whole Operat-
ing department had been knocking ev-
erybody I'm sight because old Tympan'
invariably drunk and dlsOrderly. held
his lob while better and younger ana
sober men were Oyerhauled in Palmer )
office for nothing more than leaving
stations half n minute ahead or or
ders or failing 10 wise the annual OF
some Of the spying directors who went
lid and down. II. III. Palmer got Il
master tongue laShing those days from
the rank and file. and now that the
dismissal had really come Hennessy
was no more skeptical than any OF the
others concerning the general superin-
tendent's honest intention OF keeping
Tympan ont of service.
Hennessy tried to conciliate Tympan
on his next trip through. but the ola
man lay with his hat over his face'
steamIng with rage, too angry even 10
curse. No. was making beautiful
work. and HenneSsy felt better than
usual. He had eight ears with a Dig
load of women and kids and wanted to
he on time anyway because IL was his
Iay off that Saturday and there was an
all night game I'm the club ut home.
At Inchburg Hennessy got his ushai
orders. everything all straight. ana left
on time. The rear brakeman found MIN
Just afterward and said:
"Hear about the wild freight went
ND ahead Of MS? She's big one, ana
il wouldn't surprise me If she go'
stuck on the Long Misery and held us
at LyshOn.'
Hennessy knew his man was right
Lyshon station is at the foot or q
thirteen mile grade known for good
reasons as 1.-THE Long Misery III
freight got hung there ahead of No. )
il meant everything balled up. for the
4. and r. is a single line, and the di
rectors won't stand for siding be
tween Lyshon and Oldtown, the sta
ton at the crest OF the Long Misery
Hennessy took the platform at Ly
shon before No. SIS brakes held her ano
sought the dispatcher in the dingy sta
| ton.
wild freightT echoed the telegra
pher. Yes went up an hour ago. Bic
train? Yes, big train, but she's got
| good rail. and | don't believe shell
hold you n minute"
Hennessy went out and looked in th'
book by the station door. He founC
where the wild freight had reported
| and saw with satisfaction that she was
| i'm charge OF Bitters, one of the rims
and sure to do his best to get tha
heavy train out of the way long before
| Hennessy came along.
Lyshon was on the card for only
! thirty seconds, but Hennessy risked
/ trifing delay and went back to the op
| orator:
Cant you ask Oldtown, just for
| chance. If that freight's showed NJ
yety he asked.
Wild freight 543 started over the
Long Misery In good order that Satur
| day and made excellent time for. eigh
miles or more. Then she was stopped
by a shaky injector In the mogul Bit
ters left his caboose and ran up ahead
| I'm time TO see his redheaded engineer
grab up the wrenches and start from
! his seat.
eco ahead lively as you can. Nike
| he shouted.
Mike gave the mogul sand and steam
| She strained for moment while hei
| drivers raced and then shot ahead Sc
hard that Mike bounced out OF his seat
| The train had broken apart seven ears
down. leaving thirty-three detached
| / -.aN 49, IuD-u- so".d s...ivr herseh
Ia back up ANA catch the breakaway
4 The fugitive section was slowly moving
,n, very slowly. down The head end OF
! be Long Misery.
Back up, IRISH. Beck up and catch
| 'Cmw scrcSchcd Bitters.
"You can't do ia yelled brcathless
/ brakeman who came ~ from the rear
'oecause the gears just co.lp'eteiy out
o. the head q that section md there
wouldn't b. ncthh' to MAKE couplin'
to il you carS.t ',rL w.-.ch IL lint
likely you'll do ar'"w@y"