The mirror., 1919-03-20
\ HE big black horse ap-
peals to a good many,
even to those who live in


Ara1&A peals to a good many,
ISNEG even to those who live in
t&-2b the country and know lit
tie or nothing about what goes on
inside the cab. What fascinates
them is the rythmic motion and
mysterious power and perhaps the
opportunity of seeing good deal
of country on the daily runs. As
a matter of fact the fireman must
burn great deal of coal before he
will be able to hold a position
where be can hug the seat box and
look out of the window to take in
the sights.
Let US consider one of these
friends who wishes to get on one
of these big propellers-on-rails and
follow him through some of his
activities.
The first thing he does will be to
speak with some of the enginemen
who run through his village. They
may discourage or encourage him
but can not do much more except
ing to direct him to the division
master mechanic or superintendent.
Be it known right here, the appli-
can't is usually one with a good ap-
petite; if not he will soon acquire
one.
A day is chosen when he is to
set out in quest of his new adven-
lures. Arriving at the terminal
the first thing he does is to look up
the master mechanic. This gentle
man will question him as to wheth-
er he has had experience, which in
this case he has not, so he is given
an introduction to the roundhouse
foreman. who will put him to
work wiping boilers, helping me-
chanics or shovelling cinders.
This is his real beginning. The
time of his becoming a "tallow-
pot" will depend upon his ambition
and the need of his services on the
road. In the meantime he is called
into the Office to fill out an applica-
ton, given the book of rules and
directed to copy same while in the
Office. This is done to make sure
he will study it through. These
rules consist of directions for per-
sonal conduct, signals, etc. He
will do we'll to learn these by heart
as he will soon appreciate it.
A big day comes when he is
called out for his student trip.
This is made with a competent
crew on their regular run. He is
expected to pay the strictest atten-
ton to the minutest details of the
freman's duties. He is shown how
to fire, and tries it. This takes
most of his time, but he also learns
to take signals on his side; to take
water and coal. He also learns to
take train orders on the fly for the
engineer. Perhaps his greatest
difficulty will be to learn to gain a
foothold on the deck" for when
the train moves at any rate of
speed at all the engine will roll
considerable, and to be able to fire
efficiently one must stand firm and
not be dancing all over the deck.
One of the first things he learns is
likely to be how to operate the in
jector. though the engineer usually
operates it when be has new man
firing for him. If our student
does fairly we'll he is placed on the
extra board and takes his turn out.
Finally his name has worked to
the top. The call boy comes to his
room; says he: Mister George
Jones, extra west for 7:45. Let
me give you few tips: You know
you have one hour to eat in and 30
minutes to get the hog ready in.
The 'hoghead' you are going out
with is a regular crank. Take il
from me, if you want to hitch with
me you got to crank him too
They all call him 'Runt.' The best
way for you to get along is to say