Mountain Home Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1915-1946, 1922-01-28
"A anai -. Nraclnra N.xanan ~ SxnnIcI

cool summer days, when the shutters
were wide open, the chairman OF the
tram company, who lived In a beautiful
house near the car-barn, sometimes
came over and spent a 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 oil 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 a day when
Stanley, in the window seat, watched
with unusual solicitude the MANNED
car which had been pulled into the
car-barn. 1t was car 49," driven by
Mr.. Ross, his favorite driver, who 90
often waved to Stanley while pass
Ing his observation nook.
An accident had happened to 49,
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 "53" 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 q 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 agef"
"Dear me, how can I tell? He'll
maybe have to go to another city and
hunt for q long time for ever n days
work"
"He can't go to any other place,
Grannle, for his wife Is sick all the
time"
That's 80, child"
"~Grandma," Stanley pressed between
the old lady and the stove and stood
with arms folded. Grandma, / feel
like going over and consulting with
the chairman about this"
"very well, dear, perhaps that would
be better" and Grandma winked ut
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, II have come to speak with you
about Driver Ross.
Eyes, Stanley" said Mr.. Fraser, land
I'm pleased to have you come. NOW
let's sit down and talk"
.You see, Mr.. Fraser, it's this way
with Ross, he's been with your com
pany so long he won't understand how
to start In any other business. And
then It's not fair to turn a good man
off for his first offense."
"Well, Stanley" Mr.. Fraser began.
looking kindly on the quaint little
chap, you must admit 1t was a gross
error, the worst accident we've had
on our cars In years. The public won't
stand for blunders like that"
'Mr. Fraser, If you worked hard
for twenty years and never made one
bad mistake till then. you wouldn't
want to be turned down, would you?"
".No, it would be hard. But what
can we dor Ross is getting old and
evidently rusting out
"I1l 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
same And In his excitement Stanley
rose and patted Mfr. Fraser's arm
~nervously.
The chairman OF the tram company
thought awhile and then said slowly:
II like your idea, Stanley. I'll put 1t
before the company tonight"
When "53" went again On the raila
newly fitted and looking splendid, II
was Conductor Ross whe waved a Joy.
GUS greeting to Stanley IA his window
nook