The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1922-01-11
THE ASSISTANT
y ssRrHA NJ. JONES

Ifty sat VIII HIS thtff htttC itbn
ezrfed up on the window seat and his
nssers,s pressed against the green shut
sseA half closed against the hot sun
asff. He was watching a MANNED
eleetIie car being repaired In the car
bxzs across the street.
SANKEY'S world was bounded by cleo
srie ears For the last five of his
eSrtf years he had studied them from
r3.e shutter chlnks, had listened to
1.ssr eomlngs and goings, until he
md eome to know the difference in
srrna between car on wheels Of
cHsi iron and one on wheels of steel.
Ard then car "TS" became distin-
euisbsble from car. "53" just by its
sxn special clank and clatter; and he
rez1a tell car "53" from car 1918"
IN the same way.
These were his pet cars, the ones
Which passed the window seat often
GA
Stxniey was always unique. He was
six years old before his frail little
srnsus decided it could move around
sna carry the weight of his well de-
xe3syrd head.
So Stanley remained In his window
mock and studied the street cars. On
esxa summer days, when the shutters
vge wide open, the chairman of the
tram company, who lived i'm beautiful
asuse near the car-barn, sometimes
rafce over and spent few minutes
aszking with Stanley, giving and re-
-sfvtag information. And he it was
stsS gut upon the little chap the hon
srary title of Assistant Manager of
Che Tram Company"-a title by. which
Stanley loved to designate himself to
cry new visitors whom Grandma Bev-
srely might entertain.
Tie greatest day of all his life had
stea when the chief engineer took
nign FOR ride all around The city in
tie observation car.
And now had come a day when
Stanley, in the window seat, watched
sith unusual sollcltude the MANNED
.ar which had been pulled into the
snr-aarn. 1t was car "53," driven by
HLr. Ross, his favOrite driver, who so
SEsza waved to Stanley while pass
azg his observation nook.
An accident had happened to "53'
.snt Driver Ross had been discharged
srga service. The news came to
Stanley through Grandma Beverley.
The accident happened away out
II sight of the window nook.
Stanley had noticed how beautifully
y" appeared that last morning on
NE rails when she came out of the
Sara. newly painted and newly fitted.
How fine Driver Ross had looked
lsAere by. the wheel! But before noon
mt Kews came to Grandma Beverley
maj -53" was piled against house
s1rh her machinery broken. A
Dose brick in the old street pave
nenf had caused her to slide from
cAe rails so easily that the driver
nrvss noticed. And then turn In
I've street came, and "53" did not
respsnd to the brakes, but rolled
EennmiiniOusly into the wall of
Npase. much to the terror of pas
seRgers and residents, and most
sDrrsfying to Driver Ross.
-S3sandma. what Will become Of
esiSec Ross in his old age?"
Dear me, how can | tell He'll
maybe have to go to another city and
hnsa for long time for even one days
mrs
@fse can't go to any other place,
1rxanie. for his wife is sick all the
-rnR.~
HTbat's so. child"
'g;rsndma," Stanley pressed between
I'M odd lady and the stove and stood
s1fA arms folded. Grandma, feel
snre going over and consulting with
ne chairman about this"
Very well, dear. perhaps that would
N better," and Grandma winked at
K1kiy. the cat.
sasaley put on his broad sailor hat.
md holding Grandma's hand, he
xx&sd over TO the beautiful home of
Ne chairman of the tram company.
'Sus. Fraser" he said, when the maid
sse brought him into that gentleman's
s6sre. Il have come to speak with you
Nkssas Driver Ross.
Yes Stanley" said Mr.. Fraser. "and
Dan pleased to have you come. Now
cts sit down and talk"
~You see, Mr.. Fraser it's this way
xsrh Ross. he's been with your COM
sssny so long he won't understand how
u start In any other business. And
lhrn it's not fair TO turn good man
- for his first Offense."
well, Stanley" Mr.. Fraser began.
ls<zfng kindly on the quaint little
,ksyF. you must admit II was gross
grsSr. the worst accident we've had
m Sur cars In years. The pubic won't
saaad for blunders like that"
-sfr. Fraser. II you worked hard
mr. twenty years and never made one
M mistake till then, you wouldn't
s&pa 20 be turned down, would your"
ma 1t would be hard. But what
saa ne dor Ross Is getting old and
s<4aentiy rustlng out"