La Junta tribune., 1907-10-19

AH ~ uNes us nave
seen and rid
den. a new one
is always n wonder to me-chokes me
up. even. It means 40 much. hear
men rave over horses and marvel at It
when I think Of the iron horse hear
them chatter Of distance. aud my mind
turns to the annihilator. I hear them
brag Of ships. and think of the ship
xnbnt plows the mountains and rivers
Ind plains And when they talk of
speed-what can think Of but her?
As the new engine rolled into the
yards my heart beat quicker. Her lines
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
nificently up and checked herself. pant.
ing, In front of us.
Foley was in the cab. He had been
east on a lay-on and SO happened to
bring in the new monster. wild. from
the river shops.
She was built in Pennsylvania. but
the fellows on the Missouri end OF our
fine thought nothing could ever safely
be put into our hands until they had
stopped 1t en- route and looked 1t over.
How does she run, Folcy:" asked
Neighbor. gloating silently over the
toy.
'.Cool as an icebox," said Foley
swinging down. ''Shes n regular sum
mer resort. Little stiff ON the hills
yet"
''Wc'll take that out of her" mused
Neighbor. climbing into the cab to look
her over. Boys. this is up in bal
LOOM" he added. pushing his big head
through the cab window and peerins
down at the ninety inch drivers under
him.
II grew dizzy once or twice looking
for the ponics,' declared Foley. biting
or piece Of tobacco as he hltchcd at
his overalls. 'She looms like sky
scraper. Say. Nelghbor, I'm to get her
myself. amt II" asked Foley, with his
usual nerve.
,When McNeal gets through with
+. yes" returned Neighbor grufiy.
4t$ing her thimble OF steam aud try
Ing the air.
} "What.' cried Foley. Affecting sur
prise. "You going to give her to the
kidr'
81 am" returned the master mechan-
&c unfeelinsiy. 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-
406, Class Has she was listed. and
Dad Hamilton Of course took tho scoop
to IRE her.
They get everything good that's go
Ing" srumbled Foley.
They are good people," retorted
Neighbor. He also assigned a helper
to the old fireman. 1t was new thing
with us then, 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 wiping until the old fire
man should cry enough. !.
Very likely you know that a new
engine must be regularly broken. as
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. "a
For two months II was 4 p4cnIc2
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
Lily understood that any one who el-
thSNed George McNeal must reckon
W. 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 a cat OF Ham
ilton, because he had brought George
out west and felt sort Of guardian In
terest In that quarter himself. Really
anybody would love Georgie McNeal:
old Dad Hamilton was proof enough Of
that.
One evening, just after pay day. !
saw the pair In the postofi1ce lobby
getting their checks cashed. Presently
the two stepped over to the money
order window. A moment later each
came away with q money order.
rs that where you leave your
wealth. Georsiey' asked rs he came
mp to speak to me.
Part OF 1t goes there every month.
Mr.. Reed" he smiled. ''Checks are
running light too. now--eh. Dad?
"A young fellow like you ought to
Be putting money away in the bank"
said !.
'well. you see I 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. so I'm trying
70 make mp little now for my old
NANNY"
where does yours 80. DadT !
aakaS. !