The champion. (Arcadia, Fla.) 1895-1911, 1906-11-29
SpoilinSa
Romance
By CLAUDE PAMARES
oopwtoNh 1907, Dp 3. Q. Pdrosuo


old broker, who was frigldlty Itself,
hailed the visitor with:
"Well, well, Tom, but where the devil
did you spring from this mornlngT
And Tom, who appeared to be fully
as old and frigld and gray haired as
the other, replied
SAY, Jim, It's good for sore eyes to
see you. The G.. and s. road wants a
thousand new freight cars, and I'm In
the east to raise loan, How are you,
anyhow Feeling pretty gay, old boyT
And then the broker and the general
manager sat down for a chat over old
days at college and talked Of this and
that for an hour before the broker said
"By the way, Tom, I've got boy out
on your road"
"You don't say! He hasn't been near
me with letter"
"But he's there. You remember my
boy Dave2 Always fusslng around
with machinery since he was a kid. |
wanted to make broker OF him, but
couple Of years ago, after going through
the Polytechnic against my wishes, he
threw me over. He wanted to go rail.
reading and l wanted him here and so
we had a falling out"
"You don't sayT
~ didn't drive him from the house,
but he left just the same Said he was
going to make his own fortune and all
that bosh. Hasn't had cent Of his
Income from me in over a year. He
writes to his mother, but I never hear
direct from him. Got brains, l think,
but he's self wllled and inclined to be
an ass"
Don't be too hard on him. II It
isn't his way to skin the lambs, let him
try some other. believe you used
to be known as Old Obstlnacy' once
upon a time"
yes remember. II you happen to
come across the boy and he deserves
a lift, give 1t to him. No pettlng or
pamperIng, though Let him have all
the roughing 1t he wants"
Away out west on the @. and s.
railroad there was young man of
twenty-five working as fireman on an
engine drawing a local. Two years
before when he had applied to the su.
perlntcndent of motive power for
something to do the super" had look
ed him over in contempt on account of
his white hands and patent leather
shoes and replied:
Want work, eh2 Well, I'll give Il
TO you. Go up to the roundhouse and
tell Sam to set you to work as a wiper.
The pay will be $2e per month and II
you get grease spots on that dandy
suit Of yours the company won't pay
for the cleaning"
The official turned away with a
grin, thinking that that was the last
Of the young man, but he was mlstak.
en-. When three days had passed the
boss Of the roundhopse reported:
Jay, you sent me a Jim Dandy of a
wiper. Hanged II he don't seem to
know something about machinery"
What, did the young fellow show
upT' asked the super" in surprise.
Been working right along, and he's
the handiest chap I've had since my
time here. You'll be promoting him
out of the house in a month"
The young man was watched close
ly and kept track of. He had been nut
at the very dlrtlest work and given the
poorest pay but he made no com |
plants. His time came when an en-
gne was telephoned for In hurry and
there was nobody to run her out OF the
house and up the yard. He stepped
Into the cab and had the table turned
for him and turned the engine over
without comment He was going back
to his work when the superintendent
asked:
Did you ever fire an engineer
mo, SIR"
"Think you couldT
I'm ready to give II trial"
Two weeks later be was put on a
yard engine, The engineer meant to
ind fault with him because he was
dandy" but no opportunity occur
ed. He was kept in his place for six
months, as there were many to be pro
noted In advance Of him, but he was
lnally given place ON the local
When this engineer VAS asked to re.
'ort on his cub he said:
Hes a peach I'm his way, but l
how he'll pan out In the end.
les one Of these book engineers. He
links he could take an engine to
ieces and set her up again by the
ooks, and I'm Iookin' to see his head
ct swelled until the road has to
ounce him."
Things were in this shape when thu