The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-19
BILLS DAY OFF
locomotive Fireman Takes . Va
cation-as He Calls Il.

Bill was a healthy young bulk
locomotive fireman. BY a round
about way, all the kicks of slow train
service resulting from Americas in
dustriaI activity were heaped on poor
Bits shoulders. The consignee kicked
to the shipper. the shipper kicked to
the general freight agent, the general
freight agent kicked to the superin-
tendent of motive power, the superin-
tendent of motive power kicked to the
master mechanic, the master mechanic
to the roundhouse boss. the round
house boss to the engineer, who in
turn threw it all on poor Bill. who
shoveled coal harder and harder. and
growled and growled.
1t had been long time since any
body had dared think OF day off.
and Bill continued to heave coal into
"529," 1.-The leaky old kettle" as he
| called 1t, while he growled and
growied.
Bill growled to the engineer about
his day off, and to the other firemen.
| climbed off old 1923" the roundhouse
boss happened along.
Say. Cap" Bill yelled. "how about
my day OFF,"
Never you mind. you're on" re-
| turned the boss. And Bill heaved coal
| harder and harder and growled and
| grow1ed.
Nerved by his first approach. Bill
kicked about his day off every time
| he saw the roundhouse boss, and then
began hunting him up.
The day Of Bills day off was finally
| fixed, but as he climbed in bed the
| night before. a messenger came with
| the intelligence that the extras wife's
| grandmother had died and he must
take his run out that day, so Bill
| climbed on old "52s." shoveled coal
| and growled.
| A week Iater he rroy,;caA 5a.r
| came. Bill rose at the usual time,
| donned blue-striped stiff shirt, cellu-
loid collar and q pair of round rafting
| cutfs OF the same material, red neck
tie, blue corkscrew cloth suit. with
spring-bottom pants and a pair Of ex-
| tension soled shoes.
After breakfast he went across the
| street to one-chair barber shop that
sme1led of cinnamon and Glove OIL
What's the matter, Bill?" asked
tn, barber.
Got my day off," replied Bill.
After a shave he remained awhile
looking at the pictures in the Police
Gazette, then his face covered with
BARRIERS powder and towel lint.
walked over to the round house, took
a newspaper from his pocket, spread
1t out on a greasy pine board bench
and sat down.
What's the matter. Bnl?" said q
passing wiper.
pulled out a yellow paper sack from
!. his pocket and stocked" upon a com.
bination smoking and chewing to-
bacco; examined his finger nails, as
, large as teaspoon bowls, cleaned then
with two-pound knife, which
he concluded needed sharpening
: After expectoratins on a sandGson
, window sill near by. he whetted hi.
knife till II O'Clock, then started fol
the boarding house. whats tn.
!, matter, Bill: you're all dressed up p
said the boarders in a chorus.
/ Got my day off," he replied ant
after tucking a fringed red napkin
t down his collar: he niftily stabbed ,
piece of fat cold pork with a two
' pronged bone handle fork.
In the afternoon Bill returned I,
v his place on the roundhouse bencl
and began whiting, as he wondered
/. how 1929" the "old leaky kettle" wa
: getting along. At 3 o'clock he con
suited his watch. IT was going t,
, the op'ry this afternoon. but guess IT,
too late" he remarked to a passin,
greasy and tattered song-book from
: his hip pocket, containing the word
= of the latest comic and sentimental
songs, and began humming thru hi
=, nose, Mother, Dear" gentle Eye
y OF Blue" and I'D Leave My Happ
Home for You" About 6 o'clock Bill
went home.
= the road, the clank of hammers. tn
:. roar OF blasts and escape of steam
= the smell of hot oil, the gas and smok
OF coal from portable repair FORCES
. Bill had spent his day off.-The Jay
hawker.