The San Francisco call., 1905-06-18

copyrighted. 1905. by NJ. B. de Courcy.)
RANK asked Gray, thought
IL fully. What is the proportion
y OF the killed and injured in this
service?"
Crippled about one in FIVE
and killed about one in ten"
What becomes Of the badly injured
ones? DO the companies make any pro-
vision for them?"
Sometimes; job calling, car checking,
or sealing, .or the purgatory Of 4 crossing
TO watch: but as crossings would have TO
be thicker than rail joints TO take care
Of all of them. a large proportion emerge
from the hospital to face future of pow
erty and suffering. The boys working.
however. arc very loyal TO their own, and
fun many SNUG social leader. with
charitable fads. would raise their hands
in astonishment were they 10 know the
extent OF the cheerful givers' of the
switch shanties. II true charity is self
sacrifice. there is fun many a grlmy
fellow in these yards to-day who is en-
titled to sit in the seats reserved for the
greatest of all. Last winter in Buffalo
three switchmen after paying their bills
had q few dollars apiece IL was the mid
die Of December and summer clothes
were uncomfortably porous, so they start
&c down Genesee street to find Scotch
caps, gloves, arctics, etc. On the way
they ran up against a long absent COM
panicn-an odd character well known all
over the country as always making good
his boast Of never staying over ten days
in a place'-the boys noticed with pity the
empty coat sleeve Tapping in the bitter
wind.
Poor cid Jimmy had, few days be-
fore. been discharged from the Cleveland
Hospital; the company had no place he
could I'LL; a common enough story, but
one that never fails upon cold void.
when heard by men like his hearers. A
CLEAN Of mutual understanding, and when
an hour later three busted boys tenderly
bade farewell to a warmly clothed per-
son, in the pocket of whose comfortable
trousers jingled a handful of silver. they
had no feeling in the matter other than
a pleasant duty willingly performed; but
I think in the great city that night many
a widely heralded philanthrophist or
charity ball organizer would have dipped
.
even exchanged warm beds and luxurious
surroundings with the three thinly clad
forms bravely facing with frost-nipped
ears and stinging fingers the arctic waves
Of the wind-swept yard could they have
seen the approving benson of the pierced
hand or heard the brotherly love CULVER
ing in the divine to the least of these -
Gray looked upon the grave glowing
face moment, then said: Frank.
sometimes wonder il this life will fill my
ideals as completely as it does yours"
IF I'd had any like thoughts about it,
our acquaintance would never have pro-
gressed beyond the guord incident" re-
Joined Howe quietly. Then silence fell
between the friends; to be broken after
a few moments by Howe saying:
We'll, it's well toward supper time and
Girlie ought 10 be back. Shall we go the
place Of the descendants"
"AIl right" replied Gray, then arising
they started for "Mammy's,'' each feel
ing he had a new and better knowledge
Of the other. AS they reached the house
they encountered Nanny" a large
empty market basket on her arm
Been marketing?" asked Howe
YES" answered the old lady, "crab
fashion. I got thinking of the poor hun
cry boys. so 1 filed my basket and went
down in the yard, and I'll bet a strike
wouldn't have stopped things better. But
come UP. The night gang will be getting
up"
Have you seen anything of GirIie?'
asked Gray.
''No, bad cess to him. I only hope 1
can get supper over before the villain
shows up" exclaimed Nanny, wrath
fully.
Entering the living room they found IT
occupied by several sleepy young men. all
growing hungrily for SUPPER. After
seating themselves in corner, Howe
looked the group over and. turning TO
Gray, he said. in a hushed whisper: See
that tall fellow standing at the window
well. that's Scranton Pete, of whom ]
was talking to-day"
Gray saw a tall, grave man OF about
forty years; one who seemed to stand
sloof from his fellows and who was evil
dently respected. None of the rude Jokes
or rough horse play was directed his way.
AS he stood silently looking out of the
window unheeding the noisy buzz behind
him. there was something very strong and
grave in the poise OF the head and steady
set Of the shoulders.
His dear 'Girlie' is late" sIyly re-
marked young man with furtive evil
eyes, land the old man is thinking of go
ing after him"
His companion jerked his chair harshly
away. muttering, "I wish he had heard
you"
Here Nanny threw the dining-room
door open. saying, Come on. ye wolves. -
The wolves" crowded, a noisy hurtling
drove. into the room. followed by the tall
taciturn Pete.
As the boys entered the room NAM
N.Y. drew out a couple OF chairs. saying.
Here are yer places and the rule Of the
house is that yer eat here and here only.
If We find a man in yer place he is looking
for trouble. and If ye leave him there yer
pays double board and cats the scraps OF
q second table"
"a nice way TO encourage trouble, .
commented Howe.
Seating themselves before the generous
supply Of plain, well cooked food they fei,