The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-13

r. p HEN finally train departed the youth from
wv Jim Creek returned and followed True
- man into the station. watched agent
ks&eEkaI curously the latter reported the dis
patcher the departure of the train. The tel
egraph instruments were full of mys-
terry to him. nueman tried to ignore him; but
boy continued gaze with big sober eyes at the in
strumens the agent felt called upon something.
You must be a good farm hand being strong
he remarked.
"Oh, dom know-some, I reckon" said the
youth, as he blushed Pap says I'd be a tol'able
likely hand if want always leavin my go
lift something. I've lifted purt nigh everything on
tn farm 'cept tn house. I put ropes round
one of our two-year-old colts day lifted
into the hayloft of the barn. 1t made pap mighty
ior we certain dd nave a great time gettin tn colt
down again Pap says I'll break vein some time if
.Trueman laughed II should think you might
he said. s.
ooh, dom know; reckon they amt much dan
ger say,'-suddenly putting aside the question
rupurng arteries-'where is it they keep engines
where the firemen hire out?" =
Down at Winston; that the division station. 1t
is forty miles south. Drakeville
station; that is about sixty miles up the road"
."Well 1 reckon better to Winston;
closer Pap said tho, that there want any
green hand like me to go foon' round the engine
barn askin' tn officers for job, unless had
Teller to pull fer me- recommend something from
somebody tn officers knowed Couldn't give
letter to tn engine-barn fellers sayin am-am all
right? You've helpin round tn train here,'
he stammered, and broke off in a confused way
Yes, have known you n hour, said
Truen1an laughingly. NO, 10 jeopardize
myself by giving you a letter of recommendation. 7
don't know what of fellow you may be-.
and started about his work. g.
The big youth looked crestfallen. WELL" he said,
with sudden resolution, I'll to work round here,
somewhere until you git to know me, then you'll give
a recommend, won't your -.'.
"Maybe;. can't say replied the agent CURLY.
much obeeged, said he youth, and -
The following morning Trueman remarked that
"Flat-car" Sykes-for he ultimately to be known
by that turnout the dvision--was working the
lumber yard The agent walked over
and watched him moment. ..-r j.. =. %
How- much do they give you a day for this?'-
asked Trueman. -,
"Nothin',' replied Flat laconically; I'm
watin for you to let git acquainted with you. I'm
gon' to straghten tn lumber yard for EN-. It will
take bout week. L reckn; but I don't care,
you know" He building the tumble-down heaps
of lumber and beams in even, symmetrical piles. =
Trueman walked with broad smile his
face, and grain of humiliation in his heart
Peevey not place of much commercial i'm
porance but, to expedite the general operations
work trains little round-house containing stalls for
engines had been erected just south of station
the bank of the river Much of the time the
other of the two work trains employed the division
quite naturally made it's headquarters at Peevey One
of these trains had foreman and conductor
named Hockey, block-shaped, red faced man.
and often brutal in his treatment -.
of those in his employ. Hockey -
brought his train to Peevey the
third day "Flat-car" Sykes