Catoctin clarion., 1921-08-25
How Doc Won
Promotion
By HAROLD SINcLAIRE
,oo, i.ai. western Newspaper Union.


Doc Newton was out Of a Job and
that situation was becoming chronic.
Never a brighter, brisker, more ac-
commodating fellow than he, with
friends everywhere; but the railroad
company did not seem to want him,
and the yeung fellow began to~wonder
If there was d black list, and why
he had become Its victim.
The roundhouse foreman could have
explained the situation, but he
thought too much of Doc to hurt his
feelings. The boys on the dog watch
could have enlightened him, but they
priced his company, and sincerely
hoped that things might take turn
for the better.
The truth Of It was that Doc got
wild" every time he touched loco
motive throttle. To him an engine was
a living thing, a vital steam horse that
loved to show its PAGES; and never
was there a more spirited driver than
Doc.
Once he had run No. "a on the
wrong track where the depot girders
came low, and knocked off the smoke
stack. Later he had dumped loco
motive and tender into the turntable
pit.
WAS never a second late, clipped
right along, and always claimed the
right of way" explained Doc daunt-
lessly, deeming the minor mishaps
mere trivial incidentals.
Doc believed he was still on the
extra" list, but never got call to
go on duty for a whole month.
"Tell you, Ruth" he said to the fair
devoted girl who was the one star
of hope and beauty In his armament.
Il believe III try some other trade In
some other town."
Ruth cried for a time. That ended
Docs determination. He went back
to the roundhOuse grimly.
Then nobody was working one long
aforementioned February night.
1t had been hard day for railway
service. Nothing was sent out from
Crofton, but at seven o'clock, on regu-
lar schedule, Doc walked into the dog
house with the business-like air Of a
man ready for work and expecting
1t.
"What did you wade way down here
In the snow for?" inquired Foreman
BrOss.
"Oh, something may turn up" re-
torted Doc, with his usual optimism.
Something did turn up-the biggest
thing that had happened in the reck-
less, impetuous life of Mr.. Doc New
ton. 1t was the unexpected appear
ance Of the president Of the road.
"Bross," spoke the official sharply.
~ must make the junction at Clay
City In time to stop the night express
on the Northern. Give me your best
locomotive. a shallow caboose and a
hustler. and do 1t quick"
I'm your man." spoke up Doc
promptly. rising to his feet.
you'll have to fire." announced Doc
laconically, taking his place at the
lever.
"I did it ence--I guess can qualify
this tlme," replied the official.
They ran the first ten miles in four
teen minutes, but struck trestle a
foot under water. and blocked with
drifted wood. Then there was whip
lash sway and the engine cleared a
bridge just as a break in dam car
ried its center pier away.
We've made it," painted Doc. rs
they rounded hill and came in sight
Of Clay City, to see the Night EX-
press on the rival road steaming down
the rails mile distant. They've
given her the right of way" he
shouted as they neared the interlock-
ing tower
"You must stop that train," cried
the railroad magnate.
I'm going to-" said Doc grimly.
He halted squarely across the
tracks, barrier to the oncoming ex-
press.
The official jumped from 1O1. ran to
the halted train. waved his hand to
Doc, and the dripping engineer knew
that he had won the day.
1t was the talk of the road next
morning. 1t was known that upon the
Night Express was a railroad king.
whom the president of the Southern
had to intercept before he reached
the city. A first interview with him
blocked ten million dollar deal with
a rival railroad.
Two days later the president Of the
road walked into the doghouse. Doc
sat patiently awaiting work.
Newton" called out the official,
advancing and extending his hand,
there's a check for thousand dol
lars going through the mails for you
from headquarters. You can go to
work tomorrow ON the regular list"
"What locOmotive?" asked Doc.
Newton" replied the magnate, with
grim smile, II wouldn't trust you
with the oldest rattletrap on the road.
After that dash three nights since, big
as it was, I see that you would make
| the slowest accommodation a regular
limited. No, you start In at $2,5O0 a
year as a division inspector"
"Ruth," observed Doc to his fiancee
an hour later, "the president of the
road won't trust me with locomotive
because. ! insist 1t show its PAGES. You
will trust me with the incest little
wife In the world, though, won't your
Meaning me?" smiled Ruth loving
ly. do you think I'm not proud Of
the honor? You showed what real
running was anyway, and you are the
only man on the road that could do
It." ,r
(. Inability.