Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-04-09

A@W &# speed around
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den, new one
l.; always wonder to me-chokes me
TIP. even, 1t means SO much. hear
ricn rave over horses and marvel at II
when think of the iron horse. I hear
them chatter Of distance, and my mind
turns to the annihilator. I hear them
brag Of ships. and think Of the ship
that p,ows the mountains and rivers
and plains. And when they talk of
5peed-what can I think Of but her?
As the new engine rolled into the
yards my heart beat quicker. Her linea
were too imposing to call strong They
were massive, yet SO simple you could
draw them, like the needle snout of
collie. to very point.
Every bearing looked precise, every
joint looked supple. as she swept mag
nifcent.y up and checked herself, pant
ing. in front of us.
Foley was In the cab He had been
east on a lay-off and so happened to
bring in the new monster, wild, from
the river shops.
Size was built in Pennsylvania, but
the fellows on the Missouri end Of ous
line thought nothing could ever safely
be put into our hands until they had
stopped it ell route and looked it over.
"How does she run, Fo!ey?" asked
Neighbor. gloating silently over the
toy.
Cool as an icebox," said Foley.
swinging down. "She's regular sum-
mer resort Little stiff on the hills
yet"
Wen take that out Of her." unused
Neighbor. climbing into the cab to look
h" over. "Boys. this is up in u bal
,,on.' he added. pushing his big head
.::ougi tie cab window and peering
j:;'n ut the ninety inch drivers under
lin.
IL grew dizzy once or twice looking
for the ponies," declared Foley, biting
OF Il piece Of tobacco as he hitched at
his overalls. "She looms like sky
scraper Say. Neighbor, I'm to get her
myself, amt II" asked Foley, with his
usual nerve.
"When McNeal gets through with
her. yes" returned Neighbor grutt!y.
giving her a thimble of steam and try
ing the air.
WHAT cried Foley. affecting sur
prise. "You going to give her to the
kid:"
81 am" returned the master mechan-
ic unfeelingly. and he kept his word.
George McNeal. just reporting for
work after the session in his cab with
the loose end Of connecting rod. was
invited to take out the skyscraper-
4SS. Class Has she was listed. and
Dad Hamilton of course took the scoop
to fire her.
"They get everything good that's 60
ing." grumbled Foley.
'They are good people," retorted
Neighbor. He also assigned helper
to the old fireman. 1t was Il new thing
with u; then. u fellow with slice bar
to tickle the CRATE. and Dad. of course.
kicked. He always kicked. Neighbor
wasted no words. He simply sent the
helper back to wlping until the old fire.
man should cry enough.
Very likely you know that new
engine must be regularly broken. as n
horse is broken, before 1t Is ready for
steady hard work. And as George Nc
Neal was not very strong yet, he was
appointed to do the breaking.
For two months 1t was a picnic
light runs and easy lay overs. After
the smash at the Narrows Hamilton
had sort of taken the kid engineer un-
der his wing. and 1t was pretty gen.
orally understood that any one who ell
bowed George McNeal must reckon
with his doughty old fireman. So the
two used to march up and down street
together. as much like chums as very
young engineer and very old fireman
possibly could be. They talked togeth-
er, walked together and ate together.
Foley was as jealous as u cat of Ham
iltou, because he had brought George
out west and felt sort Of guardian in
terest In that quarter himself. Really
anybody would love George McNeal;
old Dad Hamilton was proof enough Of
that.
One evening, Just after pay day, ]
saw the pair In the postoffice lobby
getting their checks cashed. Presently
the two stepped over to the money
order window. A moment later each
came away with money order.
"Is that where you leave your
wealth. GeOrgie? l asked as he came
up to speak to me.
part of it goes there every month,
Mr.. Reed" he smiled. "Checks are
running light. too. now-eh. DadY
"A young fellow like you ought to
be putting money away in the bank"
said |.
"Well. you see have bank back
In Pennsylvania. bank that Is now
sixty years old and getting gray
headed. haven't sent her much since
I've been on the relief, 80 I'm trying
to make up a little now for my old
nanny"
where does yours 60. Dad" !
asked.
"Me." answered the old man eva
sively. "I've got boy back east; get
ting to be big one too. He's In
school. When are you going to give
us passenger run with the sky.
scraper. Neighbour" asked Hamilton,
turning to the master mechanic.
"Soon as we get this wheat, up on
the high line. out Of the way" replied
Nelghbor. I'VE haven't half engines
enough to move 1t. and get wire
about every six hours to move 1t faster
Every siding's blocked, clear to Bel
grade. How many Of those 10000
pound cars can you take over Bey'
erly hill with your skyscraperw
He was asking both men. The en-.