The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1907-12-14

the T. c. & L. Railroad. 1t was so
like the one his father had received
only a month and half before-con-
tanning that concisely worded docu-
ment, the order for his discharge
Suppose"
Winston's face became suddenly
drawn as he thought what his dis
charge would mean to his mother and
the three younger children at home.
1t would be almost impossible to find
another job, especially in the railroad
service. And it was here that the
ambition of his life was centered-to
become sometime an official of great
system But discharge at this time
meant certain failure at the very be-
ginning of his career.
eyes; it's what thought it was, ;"
and Winston leaned weakly against
the big water tank standing beside
the shining rails. Then after mo-
ment's reflection, Its because of the
freight accident at Colfax," bitterly,
land I know father wasn't to blame
He said the operator never gave him
orders to sidetrack the special freight
that night-and father wouldn't lie !!
And now the company won't let
me hold my place-I know well
enough it's the reason-just because
r m the son of my father, who caused,
so they say, the accident to the train
of live stock. But he-didn't And
sometime father name will be cleared
of the dishonor that caused his death
I know it p passionately.
Once more Winston read over the
brief message from the superinten-
dents Office.
After Saturday noon you will be
relieved of your present position. It
is thought that an older man, one
with greater experience, will best
serve the interests of the company"
Winston tucked the folded paper in
the pocket of his soiled blouse, and
hurried toward the rounGhouse where
a part of the day he assisted at the
turntable. Every engine there was
to him like friend, gigantic, heroic
~thrahhinu with a
life that was of superhuman proper
tions. And in two days he must leave
them all-his great iron chums" as
he called them, and the work he so
greatly delighted in
E,,a- e;.,oa Mo~0t IXTi~ctov, Ti1.
gore had been in the employ of the
T. c. & L. Railroad at its West6eld
terminal. His father had for years
held position at Colfax, until his
discharge six weeks before, the reason
for which being his failure, so the
company alleged, to open switch,
and SO to sidetrack special train of
live stock while the regular freight
went by. The result was collision
which, while without loss of life, was
highly disastrous for the company.
The operator at Colfax positively
insisted that he had given orders to
hold the special freight, while Thomas
Kilgore declared with equal persist
ency that he had received no such
command. Without proof to the con-
trary, Thomas Kilgore was held re-
sponsible for the accident, and was
summarily discharged.
A chronic weakness under which he
was suffering at the time was greatly
aggravated by the distress he felt at
his unmerited digrace, and in less than
a month he died, broken hearted
man.
Winston had learned telegraphy the
year before his fathers death, hoping
by so doing to obtain a situation in
some Office of the company. But no
opening presented itself, and he finally
accepted the place at Westheld, be-
ginning at the very bottom, but with
the purpose strongly in his mind to
work up to high position in the COM
pany's service.
1t was thought best by Mrs. Kill
gore, after her husbands death, to
keep their little house at Colfax,
rather than sell and move to West
field. Rents were higher at the lat
ter place, and the school privileges
were poor.
Winston's one purpose now was to
provide as best he could for those left
dependent upon him, and he coura-
geously set about it, determined to
succeed. And now had come his sud-
den and unexpected discharge
cit isn't just-it isn't!' he ex-
claimed bitterly, as he climbed the
hill that evening to Mrs. Holman S
low white cottage where he roomed
and boarded. They say they want
more experienced man. know
better; it's because father" He
stopped abruptly and turned in at the
swinging gate. "But he didn't; il
he had received any orders to hold the
freight-he would have held it !"
1t was difficult at that time of year
to get place, as Winston had fore.
seen. And he was weeks before Sc
curing a permanent job; this finally
at the Colfax wooden mills. Here he
began working in the dyehouse.
"I'm glad of it-of anything p
thought Winston, even though the
work was disagreeable and the hour:
long. but 1 wish it were with the
T. G. & L.-if they hadn't been Sc
unjust TO father and me %
On the way to and from his work
Winston was accustomed to pass the
Colfax station morning and evening
1t was "short CUT" and that way
he could reach the mill in much les.
time than it took to go round by th'
river and Bridge street. And then
occasionally, he would see one of hi