The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1921-07-19
How Doe ''Won
Promotion
D. HARoLD. .sINcLAiRK
&c. issi. western Newspaper union.)

that situation was becoming chronic.
Never, a brighter, brisker, more &C.
commodating fellow than he, with
friends everywhere; but the railroad
company did not seem to want him,
and the young fellow began to wonder
IL there was black list, and why
he had become Its victim.
The rotndhouse 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 a loco.
motive throttle. To him an engine was
a living thing.,a vital steam horse that
loved to show Its pnces; and usvr !.
was there more spirited driver than
Doc.
Once he had run No. "a ca :hc
wrong track where the depot sif,."-,
came low, and knocked of ~ smoke
stack. Later he had dumped lGss-
motive and tender into the turntabls
pit. SI q
"Was never second late, clipped
right along, and always clnlmed the
right Of way" explained Doc daunt.
lessly, deemlng the minor mlshaps
mere trivial incidentals.
Doc believed he was stlll on the
"extra" list, but never got call to
go on duty for whole month.
"Tell you, Ruth" he said to the fair
devoted girl who was the one star
Of hope and beauty in his armament,
II believe I'll try some other trade In
some other town."
Ruth cried for a time. That ended
Docs determination. He went back
to the rOundhOuse grlmly.
Then, nobody was working one long.
aforementioned February night,
1t had been hard day for railway
service. Nothing was sent out frog
Crofton, but ut 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 forT 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.. noc New,
ton. 1t was the unexpected appear
ance of the president Of tha road.
"BrOss," spoke the officIa, sharply,
II must make the junction at Clay
City In time to stop the night. express
on the Northern. Give me your hest
locomotive, shallow caboose and q
hustler, and do 1t quick" t
''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. F-l:.
II did It once---I guess can qualify
this time" replied the official.
They ran the first ten miles In four.
teen minutes, but struck trestle a
foot under water, ,and blocked with
drlfted wood. Then there was a whiii
lash sway and the engine cleared "a
bridge just as q break in dam car
ried Its center pier away. s
"We've made IT." painted Doc. as
they rounded n hill and came In sight
of Clay City, to see the, Night TX
press on the rival road stearhipS down
the rails u mile distant. They've
given her the right OF way" he
shouted as they neared the interloclr.
ing tower.
"You must stop that train" cried
the railroad magnate.
'I'm going to-" said Doc grlmly.
He halted sQuarely across the
tracks, a barrier to the 0ncOming ex
press.
The official Jumped from 1Ol, ran IA
the halted train, waved his hand tC
Doc, and the dripping engineer knew
that he had won De day.
1t was. the talk Of the road next
morning. 1t was known thar upon the
Night Express was 4 railroad king
whom the president sef the Southetn
had TO intercept before: he reached
the city. A first interview with him
blocked a ten million dollar deal with
n rival railroad.
Two days later the president OF tho
road walked into the d0Eh0,lse DoS
sat patiently awaiting work.
"Newt0n," called out the official,
advancing and extending HIS hand
there's check for Thousand dol
lars going through the malls for you
from headquarters. You can 20 tG
work tomorrow ON the regular list.
"What lOcOmOtive!" asked Doc.
"Newton," replied the ma agnate, with
a grim smile. II wouldn't trust you
with the oldest rattletrap on the road
After that dash three nights since, biz
as It was, see that you would make
the slOwest accommo odation a regular
limited. No, y0u start In at $4,000 q
year as division inspector"
''Ruth." observed Doe to his fiancee
an hour later, the president OF the
road won't trust me with a locomotive