The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-06-18
WalWOrth
The Snob
By ROBERT T. CREEL
(Copyright.)

Say, Percy, would We nina throw.
ins a little coal in the bloomin' fire
box? Ye know, she won't make steam
unless she's kept warm" said Snub
Hicks, gazing mildly at his new fire.
man.
Adrian Walworth, Jr., FASTENED the
departure of drop of perspiration
that hung on his chin, closed the fire
door, and felt for his monocle, the
better to perceive the man who had
made such 81 strange request.
For 1t was strange, in view of the
fact that Adrian Walworth, Jr.. had
been shoveling coal steadily for the
last six hours, though with small re-
suits in the shape of steam. Having
forgotten his precious glass, he was
forced to make such observations as
he could with the naked eye.
"Ah-my name is Mister Walworth."
he stated resentfully. 1t seemed that
this person must be kept In. his place.
His hooking speech was not to be toll
Grated.
@Not while you're tallow-pot on this
smoke-wagon, quoth Hicks. "All you
got to do is keep 'er hot. I'll tend to
the soeiabilities."
| my word" murmured the young
/ man. returning to his work.
This thing of learning the business
from the, ground up. he reflected, was
not without its embarrassments.
Here was he, the son of the vice
! president of the road, recently re-
! turned from an English college, sub
! ordinate to common engineer. This
trying position gave rise to another
problem. How should he address his
task-master?
Due respect for his own social
standing prevented the use of the word
"mister;;" nor could he call the man
Snub. He had begun by calling him
my good man." but when the worthy
Hicks jerked open the throttle. and he
saw the greater part Of his fire pass
out the smokestack, he rejected the
term as unsuitable.
4 With some disgust, the elder Wal.
worth had noted the affected man
nerisms of his newly graduated son,
and, after some deliberation, he de-
! cided that 1t was out Of the question
to start the boy on his career until
he had outgrown some Of his snob
bishness.
For this purpose he knew there was
nothing better than period OF serv
ice as a fireman, feeling assured that
whatever qualities of manhood were
In the boys makeup would be brought
to the surface as I'M no other way
So 1t was that, being spared the pre-
liminary labor of the roundhouse, the
young man had been called for his
first trip.
Following a confidential talk on the
subject with Adrian's father, Hicks
firmly resolved to do his duty TOWARD
the new fireman. or "stoker," as Wal
worth, Jr., was pleased to call him
self.
AS his train consisted Of strins
Of empties, the engineer feared tina
the young man might find the worl
too easy, so from the start he hat
Systematically CLEANED" the fire wher
the gage began to show a fairly goot
pressure. During one of the infre
auent breathing intervals. Adrian. Jr.
climbed YEARLY to his seat-box.
..Gettin' pretty cold in here, Percy,
yelled Hicks suggestively. The EN-
bryo fireman started to step down, bu
on raising his leg the muscle suddenl.
cramped, as tired muscles will. A sec
ond later Hicks noted his strained at
titude.
sWhat d'you think you are
chickenY he asked gruffly. "Put dow
your leg, an get up little steam"
II believe I've bally cramp. Of,
chap. All, it's all right now"
No sooner was one leg released thar
the other was drawn up in the SAM
way. Perhaps 1t was touch Of pit,
that made the engineer take tn
shovel.
.Get up on the tank an shove dow
some coal, while I put in fire." h
commanded. 1--WE got to be movin
along"
4 with a sigh of relief. Walworth. Jr
dragged his tired feet upon the ten
der and did as he was hidden. A
though his determination to do nj
work well had carried him thus ia
without serious trouble, he was muc
too sleepy to resist the subtle warmth
Of the morning sun and the rockin
motion of the train. N
He sat down. As some philosophe
!. has observed. one thing always lead
to another. In this instance, repos
led to slumber. It also led Hicks t
profanity.
Shovel In hand. he advanced on tn
erring fireman. who slept serenely. IN
conscious OF impending disaster. d.
liberately setting himself. Hicks swun
the shovel, bringing 1t down forcefull
on the back Of the sleeper.
Il was as II the secret spring 9
life had been touched The long forr
OF Walworth, Jr.. sprang upright, hi
lips emitting a.word that sounded lik
mercy ]"
II must have fallen asleep" he e.
; | claimed rubbing his eyes