The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-02-20
Three Times the Charm
By Alvah Milton Kerr.
Copyright, 1903, By Lee & Shepard.
IN THREE PARTS.

IN THREE PARTS.
PART l.
It HIS is story of great nnix-up at Little Fever
Trestle and the renaissance "Chromo joe" the
former remembered unpIeasantly on the State Line
as an uneaualed example of neri,ous trananpe
the latter remembered fondy by hearts not
beating now but for the youths fleet legs
Joseph Jefferson Crane, his complete baptismal
sunburn and red hair the tall boy who,
September day. away back when the State Line was
new road, asked Trainmaster Burrel for fob of
brakng. But that the title gave n drawing
nasal, mixed with half-pleading wholly frightened
grin, when Burre1 roughly demanded his n
process of events the name became simply Crane
then Chrome joe" and twisting and twinng of
the process is the story.
Burrel looked the youth over SWIFTLY and tanned
with a pencil the table at which sitting
moment refeetively The tall boy had several good
points he looked that he might twist
wheels slipped might throw switch an engine
On the slide-rails. Two things face were hand
some his eyes and his forehead being pear
shaped and milky white, the former soft brown but
alive with sparkles. All the rest was red and
knotty.
Farming" queried Burre looking up
Been; some"
Ever brake any ?''
SOD an stump ground ALL,
Burrel rubbed his grizzly chin and laughed. Got
any folks? % he asked.
yes sister an mother an a-step-father Hin,
an me don't get together overly Our place
is about three miles down the track been
wanting to railroadin was little Mother
got tired of me ding-dongin at about it, an, toher
day she consented ANYHOW, step-father an don't
L
want to get to be conductors that's my idea
You're good worker?" asked Burrel
Just n1iddin' fair if don't thing; if like
a thing nobody can beat me. That's they say"
In other words, human Burrel be-
ginning to write note When he had finished he
handed it to the usty lad.
,#s6 GIVE this to Tim Sweeney, conductor of way-
freight No g. He goes out at in the morning. He
NIL try you on the head end. The foreman will
fell you where to find him. Keep the engine cab
ride on the front box where you will be handy
Don't fall off get caught in switch frogs When
the dray Vhead
may get you Sweeney will show you, very likely
if don't suit he'll bump your head against =
! box and send you home"
's mo, he won't mister, no. he won't" and the red
hair youths head seemed suddenly to rise and
brstle Il don't let no person bump my against
box ears and thingsnobody but can if she
ing the precious note went out.
When he found Sweeney he suffered further keen
scrutiny.
right, anyhow said the conductor wish the old
man wouldn't always be giving green men to
break in
well, spose fellow can't always get ripe I'M
less he has chance, and brake until he's
broke in, said the youth with slight CLINT humor
in his eyes,
IS" Are funny man? If you are I don't want
you the train' growled Sweeney.
mo, reckon I'm funny to hurt and don't
let other folks get funny with me- not too funny
Sweeney looked at him approvingy. "All right;
see the hind mandrake is his name-he'l show you
the signals and couplings put you on Be on hand
at O'Clock in the morning"
There is a tradition in the Ruggles yards that the
brakeman Jared badly that evening and Drake
worse The legend has it that Drake having addressed
Joe "brick-top'' handed him lantern and advised
him to go to the oil house and filed with red
oil in order that he might red light That Joe
went on this foolish errand is not history that
there fight and that not go out on his
run for two days is matter of time ron record.
However, Drake and the new head man got on IA
mously after time for young Crane proved marye,
at loading and unloading freight. was his ha hit
upon leaving station to inquire of Sweeney to
what contained freight
for the next station, and
arriving at the next stop, to
1rop himself the platform ===----==..
and jerk the seal from the -
first door to be opened >g...- <s.E
Holding the tin tag in his
teeth-that the station agent =
oicht D tho - a