Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-04-13
Kelley Jest Must
"Ene" Else He Can't
Keep HE New Job

among traffic men of the state re-
garding Jim +. Kelley--"sunny Jim"
would be a good nick name for, him
who. until recently. was travelling
freight agent for the Chicago Great
Western, headquarters Des Moines.
Jim has been with the c. q. w. for
twenty two years, bur recently-the
Great Northern took him on as
travelling freight agent out of Des
Moines. .....
As Kelley's name indicates. he's
Irish--and superstitious. His friends
say that the measure Of Jlm's
superstition runs to the infinite. al
most, and that he would no moro
walk under a ladder, or take the
third light off one match than he
would %, well, address President
FELTON,, OF the G. @. w. as SAM"
Superstition is the reason why
Kelly never attended any of the
meetings of the Hoodoo Chasers, that
funmaking organization OF traffic
always on Friday the 18th. Nothing
doing on such an ominous day for KEEL
ley. Friends say he never stirs out
OF the house on a Friday the 18th.
but probaly that Is NOT true. In any
event all the persuading of friends
and all the urging of promoters could
not influence Jim 70 attend the
Hoodoo Chasers' meetings.
However. firm, he has been in that
resolve. Kelley's coming to the next
one. Friday. Aug. IS. The why Of
his coming follows. Assistant Cen
eral Freight Agent F. H. Parker, OF
the Great Northern. headquarters.
st. Paul. Is master OF initiation In
the Hoodoo Chasers. He wanted KEEL
ley on his staff Of travelling agents,
and got him. by recommending him
to Vice President w. P. Kenney. d.
rector Of traffic Of the Great North
ern. who also offices m st. Paul.
When Mr.. Parker recommended
Kelley to his superior he tipped" 1t
off to the latter that Kelley never
had attended a meeting of the Hoo
doc Chasers, and why. "Now I'd sug
gest." said Mr.. Parker that you
make Kelley go or don't give him the
job"
Leave It to me-" replied Mr.. Ken
ney.
Kelley, being summoned for an in
terview with the vice president. was
told that he was being considered for
the travelling job.
But before appointing you there
is one condition which you must
agree in advance or 7 cannot take
you" said Mr.. Kenney looking very
grave.
Now Kelley is ambitious. The
travelling job being dangled before
him was a mighty good one and a
splendid advancement. Kelley de-
cided he'd take a chance once on
anything.
"All right, agree, what is IT," he
asked.
you must attend the meeting Of
the Hoodoo Chasers" in Marshall
town Friday. Aug. 49, his senior
told him.
1t is said trait Kelley's superstition
threw terrible fear INTO his heart,
when the condition was broken to
him. But he was game.
"I'll be there" he said, when do !
go to work"
Now Kelley Is a thoroughly like
able fellow and popular among a
wide circle of traffic men and ship
pers. Therefore Mr.. Parker is sitting
up nights devising new and espec-
tally devilish means or torture to in
flict on Kelley. He'll probably sue
ceed.iIi gee"
Just wait till that Bird comes up
before me for initiation" Mr.. Parker
writes a friend here. for three years
I've wanted to get a cnance at him."
you'll get your share of our busi-
ness until Aug. 49," wrote a traffic
manager Of large local factory to
Kelley-the traffic manager is a
Hoodoo Chaser promoter-but after
that nothing stirring unless you
jine'."
Yes, Kelley very probably will be