The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1904-09-03


what he could have done, sz1 fully ap-
preciated his 5gSenerosity and Il, Hon
left those peopple*>in this spring there
was warm spot in my heart for them
that shall never grow cold while life,
lasts, for would have suffered many
hardships that winter but for their
large heartedntss. When I left them
I had d few good clothes, some money
and the railroad fever, and 1 found
that, while business was getting. bet-'
ter all over the country and the rail-:
roads were hiring men, it was going
to be hard for l. striker of the proceed.
ing summer to secure work at his old
business. Therefore, decided that, as
l had failed several times on this ac-
count to get work where they needed:
men, would be green in railroad par
lance and just off the farm at the next
place I asked for work as a brakeman.
So at the next division point In which
1 landed I was green proper, and a
gang of o1d-timers worked several
gags on me that were stale to and old
timer like myself, but took them all
until they got big switch chain and
laid 1t across my shoulders, and wanted
me to see how quick could run the
car legnths with it, az in case of a
supposed break In =two" 1 baked, for
that was a little too real for me. The
superintendent evidently thought from
my appearance and way of conduct
ing myself that was new to railroads
ing. He told me he would employ me
as brakeman. and to report the next
an Gr6 M 70 fI1
purpose Of learning the business.
Rai'roading Again.
IT forgot my part few times and
made breaks that convinced the con-
ductor that was an old hand at the
business, and when alone he told me as
much. admitted the facts to him and
told him my STORY, and he, recognizing
my position, promised to do all in his
power to help me, and when we got
back the next night he remarked to the
dispatcher that was the greatest one
yet, remark he knew would go to the
superintendent. as It. did, and made my
position doubly secure. I was hire
and assigned with this same conductor
on the local. Well, things ran along
about 50 for several weeks with me,
switching, unloading merchandise, and
hustling generally to get over the road.
The run was a hard one. and none
OF the older brakemen in the service
desired the run, butt as it paid good
wages, and money was What + most
needed. I was well satisfied. if they
were. had been on the run couple
of months and we were coming east
and wer almost to our terminal when
an incident happened that helped me
wonderfully to regain my old place in
the railroad world.
Avoids a Bad Collision.
"The first station from the terminal
ON our division was ten miles out, and
in order to facilitate the movement, of
trains in and out Of the terminal
siding had been built halfway between
the two towns. Approaching from the
west this siding lay around a big curve
to the left. On this night We had to
stop there and pick UP an empty box
car. The head man was going to pick
the car UP next to the engine and I
was back in the way car when heard
the sound Of an approaching train, and
the next second I, heard a. call for
brakes and the. sound of an engine
chewing in the back motion, We all
fell out Of the way car and saw a head
light coming that looked as big as a
moutain of fire. 1t flashed on my mind
that there was fast freight due in ten
minutes behind us in the terminal, and
that this was that train, and they had
not expected to find us there, and we
had been neglectful in not protecting
in such place. Our way car was just
nicely In to clear the siding, and as I
noted that fact made a race for the
switch, got it unlocked and over just
In time to head the big engine and it's
train on the siding, where it came to a
stop some dozen car lengths in on the
siding.
There was no doubt but that. my
promptness had avoided bad COLI
sion, and after talking few moments
and comparing notes the through train
pulled past us and went on in ahead.
The next Sunday being our lay-over
day, | was called into the superinten-
dents office and questioned about the
AFFAIR l tried to play ignorant, but it
wouldn't work. The old Man was on
to the whole affair, although how he
found 1t out don't know, but I will
say to his credit that the worst that
came of it. SO far as punishment was
concerned, was a reprimand for the
parties at fault
Made Good at Last.
For man who has only railroaded
short time you displayed remarkable
action, saved the company a great
property loss, and possibly some lives.
If you had come to US as an expert
enced man I might be able to reward
you, but being green at the business I
hardly see my way clear to do So said
the superintendent, but I knew by the
way he smiled and the CLEAN in his
eyes that he knew more about me than
I supposed he had. So told him the
whole story, and he listened patiently.
when I had concluded he saih
'erhaps I. can help you out some.
have an understanding with the men
here that can hire one conductor to
every two men promoted. It is Just
little agreement Of our own, but have