The San Francisco call., 1904-04-24

Nevertheless, Neighbor." said 1,
after we had talked awhile, I'VE must
move the silk Also
Neighbor studied: then he roared at
his foreman;
Send Bartholomew Mullen here"
He spoke with a decision that made
me think the business was done. had
never happened. it is true. to hear of
Bartholomew Mullen in the department
of motive power; but the impression
the lame gave me was of a monstrous
fellow, big as Neighbor, or old man
Sankey, or Dad Hamilton.
"III put Bartholomew ahead of it,"
muttered Neighbor tightly. A boy
walked into the office.
Mr.. Garten said you wanted to see
me. sir. " said he, addressing the mas
ter mechanic.
I do Bartholomew.v responded
Neighbor
The figure in my minds eye shrunk
in a twinkling. Then it occurred to me
that 1t must be this boys father who
was wanted. f
You have been begging for a chance
to take out an engine, Bartholomew,
began Neighbor coldly; and I knew it
was on.
Yes. sir
you want to get killed. Bartholo-
new"
Bartholomew smiled. as if the idea
was not altogether displeasing.
How would you like to go pilot to-
morrow for McCurdy? You to take
the A and run as first Seventy-eight
McCurdy win run as second Seventy
eight"
Il know could run an engine all
right ventured Bartholomew, as if
Neighbor were the only one taking the
chances in giving him an engine Il
know the track from here to Zanes-
vile. 1 helped McNeff for one
week"
Then go home and go to bed, and
be here at O'Clock tomorrow morn
ing. And sleep. sound; for it may be
your last chance"
1t was plain that the master me-
e chanic hated to do it; it was simply
sheer necessity.
He's a wiper" unused Neighbor,
as Bartholomew walked sprightly
away. Il took him in here sweeping
two years ago. He ought to be firing
now, but the union held him back.
That's why he hates them He knows
more about an engine now than half
the lodge. They'd better have let him
in" said the master mechanic gri1nly.
He may be the means of breaking
their backs yet. If give him an en-
CINE and he runs it I'll never take him
off, union or no union. strike or no
strike' 49,.
How old is thai. boy?" 1 asked.
Eighteen; and never a kith or kin
that 1 know of. Bartholomew Mul-
len,' unused Neighbor. as the slight
figure moved across the fat: big
name. small boy. Well, Bartholomew,
you'll know something more by to-
morrow night abount running an en-
CINE. or a whole lot less. That's as
it happens. II he gets killed, it's your
fault. Reed.',,a.
He meant that was calling on him
for men when he absolutely couldn't
produce them. ~
II heard once" he went on, about
fellow named Bartholomew being
mixed up in a massacre. But 1 take
it he must have been an older eman
than our Bartholomew-<nor his other
name wasn't Mullen. neither. I dfsre-
member just what it was, but it wasn't
Mullen"
We'll, don't say want to get the
boy killed. Neighbor." protested.
I've plenty to answer for. I'm here
to run trains-when there are any to
run; that's murder enough for me.
You needn't send Bartholomew out on
my account"
'Give him, slow schedule and I'll
give him orders to jump early; that's
all we can do. If the strikers don't
ditch him. he'll get through some
how"
1t stuck in my crop-the idea OF