Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-02-02
THE ASSISTANT
BY BERTHA M. JONES
&s~<~~~~~~~~<>>~~~
O. 1921. by Mcclure NeMrnaper SvndIcl

Sui ifu uH IN iHt NlHuOW seat anu MS
nostrils pressed against the green shut
tiers, half closed against the hot sun
light He was watching manned
electric car being repaired In the car
barn across the street.
Stanley's world was bounded by cleo
trio cars. For the last five of his
eight years he had studied them from
the shutter chinks, had listened to
their eomings and goings, until he
had come to know the difference in
sound between ii car on wheels Of
cast iron and one on wheels of steel.
And then car rs" became diStin-
guishable from car "53" Just by its
own special clank ana clatter; and he
could tell ear "53" from car "61S"
in the same way.
These We're his pet cars, the ones
which passed the window seat often
est.
Stanley was always unique. He was
six years old before his frail little
frame decided 1t could move around
and carry the weight Of his well de-
veloped head.
So Stanley remained In his window
nook and studied the street cars. On
cool summer days, when the shutters
were wide open, the chairman of the
tram company, who lived in beautiful
house near the car-barn, sometimes
came over and spent few minutes
talking with Stanley, giving and re-
ceiving information. And he 1t was
who put upon the little chap the hon
orary title of Assistant Manager of
the Tram Company title by which
Stanley loved to designate himself to
any new visitors whom Grandma Bev-
erely might entertain.
The greatest day of all his life had
been when the chief engineer took
him for a ride all around the city In
the observation car.
And now had come day when
Stanley, in the window seat watched
with unusual solicitude the manned
car which had been pulled into the
car-barn. II was ear "53." driven by
Mr. Ross, his favorite driver, who so
often waved TO Stanley while pass
Ing his observation nook.
An accident had happened to "53''
and Driver Ross had been discharged
from service. The news came to
Stanley through Grandma Beverley.
The accident happened away out
Of sight of the window nook.
Stanley had noticed how beautifully
"53" appeared that last morning on
the rails when she came out of the
barn, newly painted and newly fitted.
How fine Driver Ross had looked
there by the wheel But before noon
the news came to Grandma Beverley
that 49, was piled against a house
with her machinery broken. A
loose brick in the old street pave
ment had caused her to slide from
the rails so easily that the driver
never noticed, And then turn in
the street came and "53" did not
respond to the brakes, but rolled
ANONYMOUSLY into the wall of a
house, much to the terror of pas
sengers and residents, and most
horrifying TO Driver Ross.
Grandma, what will become Of
Driver Ross in his old age?"
Dear me, how can l tell? He'll
maybe have to go to another city and
hunt for long time for even one days
work"
HE can't go to any other place,
Grannie for his wife is sick all the
time"
That's so. child"
Grandma" Stanley pressed between
the old lady and the stove and stood
with arms folded. Grandma, l feel
like going oyer and consulting with
the chairman about this"
every well, dear. perhaps that would
be better" and Grandma winked at
Billy, the cat.
Stanley put on his broad sailor hat,
and holding Grandma's hand, he
walked over TO the beautiful home OF
the chairman Of the tram company.
Mr. Fraser" he said when the maid
had brought him into that gentleman's
office. 81 have come to speak with you
about Driver Ross.
"Yes, Stanley" said M. Fraser, "and
I'm pleased to have You come. Now
let's sit down and talk"
you see, Mfr. Fraser it's this way
with Ross, he's been with your com
pany so long he won't understand how
10 start in any other business. And
theI its not fair to turn good man
off for his first offense.'
well. Stanley" Mr.. Fraser began,
looking kindly on the quaint little
chap, "you must admit 1t was gross
error. the worst accident we've had
OH our cars in years. The public won't
stand for blunders like that"
"Mr Fraser. II you worked hard
for twenty years and never made one
bad mistake till then, you wouldn't
want to be turned down, would you"
mo, ii would be hard. But what
can we dot Ross is getting old and
evidently rusting out"
"I'u tell you, Mr.. Fraser what to
do" and Stanley folded his small,
honey hands enthusiastically. "You
make Driver Ross over into Conductor
Ross and let him go on $50 just the
TO- la4HH