The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-05-28

Il5Ht- II seems nara tndJ boys IKE
you are obliged to leave friends and
home. but it's about the best you can
do have run into the B. and p train
shed the last ten years. and lately I
have noticed the bright. keen young
fellows who are entering the business
How long did you brake?' asked
Howe
Brake" came the astonished answer.
while his very whiskers seemed to
writhe in indignant protest
Brake; why boy. never twisted a
brake wheel or threw a link in my
life, and never threw but one switch
and then put two cars on the ground
he added ruefully. 1T was agent at Har-
dinsville. One day the general manager
came turkey hunting and asked him
for a train to run and got IT. Have
been here since Brake. indeed" he
muttered. as with erect head he rolled
down the aisle.
Howe said nothing. but a little queer
smile lurked in the corners OF his mouth
as he turned to enjoy Johns rapt sur
vey OF the ebbing landscape.
swift descen. from the upper high
lands. men. with the hot fragrance OF
clustering pine forests lingering heavy
around them. they came to quaint old
Alexandra They crossed the Long
bridge. and with a rattle OF couplings
brought I'D in Washington.
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 VIII soon introduce you to
the great art OF riding on your face"
John could only look his surprise.
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 reiectively
followed his gaze. reading:
Buffalo. special, cheap to-day
Come in here minute" said Howe.
Entering. lie walked up to the wan-faced
boy standing behind the counter.
Say, 1 am railroad man and want to
send a grip to Buffalo. Could you ar
range to put me next to the fellow who
buys that tieket-we're going across the
street to get something TO eat. and II
you get victim. stand a book in the
window and III come over-cigars in it."
,.AD right responded the boy.
What are you up tor asked Gray as
they sat over their modest. ham and eggs.
Saving expenses for you. or rather the
firm of Gray & Howe-but there goes the
book into the window =
Crossing. they found tall business
ike man folding green coupon ticket.
Are you going TO Bunalo?' asked
Howe.
Yes, why?"
Il am railroad man flying light on
the underground. and want to send
my turkey TO Buffalo Can you check
il with your baggage"
Certainly. my boy" answered the
stranger kindly I'm get the check for
you. or. If you wish, III keep 1t and you
can get tie grip at my house. at No.
Blank street 1t will save you storage
charges should the underground prove
slow
Thank you"
Handing over the check. Howe fol-
lowed. while the myssiied Gray passed
out.
.YOu don't quite savvy. Johns" said
Howe.
s. swell. it would cost US a couple of
dollars to have expressed that vans that
mode gets il through free
why not check it as we did coming
in?'
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 a
truck. Listening. TO their conversation
John heard scraps OF He's afraid to run
no nerve and a glass engine-hope
they'll put him on dirt train, where he
belongs What can you expect OF man:
who carries his water in the stack L
heard him pulling out OF Union last night.
and I'll tell you the old forty-five. mast
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
a subject for lunatic asylum-Iots OF
roads wouldn't stand for II. but I sup
pose he's got a pull
Here Howe stepped up. You're a pas
senger brakeman" he asked.
Yes" answered the last speaker.
I'VE are north end brakemen and want
to go up your pike as far as Baltimore
Can you INK US out? Here is my leave OF
absence and switch key. The other lad
here Is a boy from the South, but III
stand for him.
We'll" came the reluctant response.
IT am afraid I can do nothing for you.
flag for old man Abbott, and-he-weIl-
don't believe he would carry his moth
er's picture without proper transportation
10 cover it,. I've heard said he became.
prematurely gray because he couldn't coll
lect fare from himself and crew. He's
the one good clear exhibition OF the punch
fever. Now. if I had man like Bill here
has, L might be able to talk"
The young man addressed as Bill arose
stretching his long arms. saying, You
people stay here until come back
HE brakes for white man." said his
remaining friend admiringly.