The Washington times., 1905-04-30
TIE KED ROSE
THE RAIL IN THE '8O'S
BY 1B.DE COURCY

Now" said Howe. as they walked
up the platform, that is the last of
our swelling the list of net receipts OF
| the railroad by contributions to the
passenger department I will soon in
troduee you to the great art of riding
on your face
John could onIg look his surnrfse
We'll. let's have something to eat
first he added.
Passing out on the Avenue, he came
to sudden stop before a slated bill
board. John noticing his companion
raise his cap and rub his forehead, re-
fiectiveiy followed his gaze, reading:
Buffalo. special, cheap today
Come In here minute" said Howe.
Entering. he walked up to the wan-
faced boy standing behind the counter.
Say. I am a railroad man, and want
to send a grip to Buffalo Could vot,
| arrange to put me next TO the fellow
who buys that tfcket-we're going
across the street 70 get something To
eat. and IL you get a, victim stand a
book in the window and I'll come oysr
cigars In it,
IAN right" responded the boy.
iioAL e&AC SOtA 3p ~ dSkSa tray
as they sat over their modest ham and
eggs.
Saving expense for you. or rather
the firm OF Gray & Howe-but thera
goes the book into the window"
Crossing, they found a tall BUSINESS
like man folding a green coupon
ticket
ARE you going to Bunalo2" asked
Howe
Yes. why?"
4 am a railroad man Lying light on
the underground, and want to send
| my turkey to Buffalo. Can you check
it with your baggage?"
Certainly. my boy" answered the
stranger kindly. I'll get the check for
you. or, If you wish, III keep it and
you can get the grip at my house, at
No. Blank street. It will save you
prove slow"
THANK you"
Handing over the check. Howe fol-
lowed, while the mystifed Gray passed
out.
"You don't quite savy. John?" said
Howe.
We'll. it would cost US a couple OF
dollars to have expressed that van:
/ that mode gets it through free
| why not check it as we did coming
| in2''
| For this reason. my son. that privi-
| lege is only accorded to contributing
passengers-we are not OF that Class
| Passing down Sixth street they
| crossed to the lower open end of the
train shed. Two young fellows were
=, seated on truck Listening TO their
Lob of To-
afraid to run-no nerve and a glass en-
gine-hope they'll put him dirt train
where he belongs. What can you ex-
pect of a man who carries his water
| IN the stack. I heard him pulling out
| of Union last night and I'll tell YOU the
old forty-five must have rubber cylinder
heads-you ought to have seen every one
hunting shelter as the trailing water
works swan out-engine covered inch
deep and his fireman subject for a
| lunat1c asyIum-lots OF roads wouldn't
stand for il, but 1 suppose he's got a
pull.
| Here Howe stepped up. You're q
passenger brakeman he asked.
Yes" answered the last speaker.
| 1--WE are north end brakemen and want
to go uT1 your pike as far as Baltimore.
| Can YOU fix us out? Here is my leave
of absence and switch key. The other
lad here is a boy from the South, but
I'm stand for him.
| ..weu." came the reluctant response
T am afraid I can do nothing for you. I
flag for old man Abbott, and-he-well-
I don't believe he would carry his moth
er's picture Without proper Transports
ton to cover 1t. I've heard said he be-
came prematurely gray because he
couldn't collect fare from himself and
crew. He's the one good clear exhibit
ton of the prnch-fever. Now, If I had
la man like Bill here has, I might be able
to talk.
The young man addressed as Bill arose
stretching his long arms saying. '-Ioa
people stay here until I come back"
He brakes for a white man." said
his remaining friend adniringly.
Soon Bill appeared, holding out a
couple of old dingy tickets. he said,
stay right here. our train will back in
| in a few minutes Get in the last seat
/ In the smoker. hand out your ticket
when the old man comes along, and
don't look too wise
| GRAY looked at his cardboard, but was
unable to make out what it read. Howe
observing his mystification laughingly
remarked 1.-THE. first underground yos
ever saw-don't worry. they'll go hers
In K better let me have it though"
Then as the train passed the Eastern
= branch. Frank Howe, free brakeman,
cave II I'D with the lordly air of a dis
, turbed millionaire.
, ITO Be Continued Next Sunday)