The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-01-08
The Baggage"
in the Cab
DyA11HuRRI 0HARA
(copyright.)

puned and painted In the sizing, Wall
ing for the sOuth-bOund express. "fve
worked for this company for ten years.
I've only taken one lay-Ofr. and I've
only been fired once, and that wasn't
for overlooking orders. reckless run.
ring, or sleeping while on duty, but
FOR carrying freight In my cal"
"Defraudin' the corporation that fur
Dishes you your bread and butter out
Of Its just dues, EN-" remarked Con-
ductor Watson loosely. "A sort Of
bitin-the- hand.that-fed-you business!
I'd never have thought 1t of you. Mar
tin"
"They couldn't IRE "a man for that
nowadays" said the section boss. who
was an arrant "dynamiter."
"We've got to have a hearing. An
officials got to have a reason for firing
q man besides not liking his style"
.It's good thing for the companies.
too" remarked Conductor Watson, who
had lately passed thrugh most trying
Investigation" SIT keeps 'em from
losing many good man."
Il was mighty scared they was gOin'
to make up their minds to lose you
when they had you on the carpet last
month";" drawled the engineer. with
twinkling eyes.
"Well, anyway, hadn't been loadin'
my caboose with freight" retOrtsd the
conductor. 'Was you moyin' your
household goods in your cab. when
they caught you. old man?"
mo. the freight l happened to be
carryin' didn't belong to me-" he said
placidly. ut was the very choicest
possession Of my fireman. Johnny
Rhodes.
"One night, when was hustlin'
round, gettin' the engine ready on a
short call. Johnny came to me and
said Martin, l want you to promise
me that you'll carry something to
Santa Barbara for me-
".All right said I. carelessly, going
on with my work. Remember, I'll hold
you to your promise IL 1t takes your
scalp he says. and then I noticed for
the first time that he was considerably
stirred up about something.
"'See here, young man. said /, stop
ping short, have you been stealth and
now. expect me to help you smuggle
your loot out Of town for your asked
him.
Before God, what want you to
carry belongs to me and to no one
else said he sOlemnly.
"'Well, then, jump around and flli
your rod cups and stop this. nonsense,
answered, rather cross, for we were
late.
"'Swear that you'll carry something
for me, Martini he begged. lookin'
wild-eyed and desperate.
oh. go on. Pll-do II to get shut
Of YOU said at last.
"With that, he gave my hand bone
crushing squeeze and rushed of.
didn't lay eyes on him again till we
were just ready to pull out. and then
I'll be blessed II he didn't help young
woman into my cab and install her on
his seatbox as cool as you please.
fright then bit Of gossip flashed
through my mind. There had been rd-
mors that Johnny had had the nerve to
fall in love with the superintendent
daughter and that the young lady had
something more than Just faint likin'
for him.
Johnny was nice young fellow,
steady and industrious. He showed
mighty plain that he come of good
stock. OF course. he was poor, or he
wouldn't have been shovelin' coal on
an engine, but ne was a fine boy-the
best fireman I ever had.
"But when 1 had a look at the young
lady had to own up to myself that he
had some excuse for putin our jobs
In jeopardy, for Miss Barbara Mayo
was about as handsome as they make
'em.
'.She was Just as dark-eyed and olive
complexioned as Johnny was blue.eyetl
and sandy. They'll make a mighty
handsome couple, if her father will
only give them the chance thinks to
myself.
when we slowed up at Grover, the
hind brakeman, who was evidently in
the secret, came into the cab and
whispered something to Johnny that
made that young man look rather sick.
What's the matterr I asked the
hind brakeman. Her father is on the
train said he. And he's in one of hi,
worst tantrums..'
with that give my pair of turtle
doves up for. lost, and guess they Eel.
pretty blue themselves. for they chung
to each other like brace Of castaways
on desert. island.
"'Well, don't jump of the engine,
said !. He can't eat YOU
"'He is going TO start her of to
Europe with her aunt tomorrow said
poor Johnny mournfully. We never
will see each other again.
"sBut he can't make her CO. If she
don't want to- said.
"'Oh. he can! He cam groans
Johnny.
syVbv don't yO,n uet her amt IN bo,,,