Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-23

was coming Like that time he'd hit . car six
years back-the only time % had been late. He
pulled the shrek cord and the sound Of the
whistle screamed back.
The coal was rafting steadily I'm the frehox
Sometimes the shovel scraped the iron edge and
Jumps bumped across the door. II was tough
until yOu got used to Il, shooting 50 poszndS Oe
rocks through two-foot door. He watched the
fre-pusher = minute and shock his head This
guy would never get used to IL. Wasn't built
for the rough stun-not this kind. anyhow.
whats your name buddyf" he ASKED.
"Renelii," said the nre-puaher.
Amt used TO hard work, are youf"
Sure. I worked in . foundry mntM L sOt
fred"
"Huhi"
Dan grinned. RenelH had never woxaed In
. foundry-not with white hands Ire that.
oh, well It was none Of his business % long ~
he pushed the fre hut what vas the use OF
saying he'd worked in foundry Maybe to get
the job. Jobs were scarce now.
"Outa work long7"
"You said it-three months been hanging
around the rOundhOuse waiting for something
to freak"
did you know Cassidy"
Cassidy"
MY nre-pusher"
mo. I didn't know him. A mGn named
Bunker gave me the JOB" 4.e : .-e
The trucks ratified over the switch and Dan
glanced swiftly through the window, pulling
the shrek cord-Sturteyant. They reared
through, past crossing gates and fackering red
down the rails Foxes fiickered. Behind he
could see the dark bulk Of the express car and
then the lighted windows Of the coaches, snake
like curve.
He squinted at his watch Ten minutes late
II he could get nye back By Portage he might
be able 70 pick up the rest the other side Of
WinonR He chuckled. Funny how he loved
that ION time" record. He'd bust the boiler
wide open II he had to, but he'd land % in
Minneapolis on time II she blew up in the ter
minal Let her ripl He jammed the throttle
wide and grinned at the wind screaming past
the windows. Distant lights In villages re-
volved about them Is the whole dark land
scape were turntable The cab rocked like
. dinghy In . ground swell.
There was no sound Of shovel on iron and
Dan turned from the window Renelh his feet
planted wide On the bolted floor, was just lower
ing bottle from his lips. He grinned ct Dan
and held 1t out.
want drink. he asked companionably.
what you got there?" demanded Dan.
whisky"
you poor sapl Don't you know nothingf
Gimme that bottleg" .a
He snatched 1t from ReneIli's hand, walked
to the window and threw It out
'Heyi" yeiped RenellL whats the BIG
idea?"
''The idea Is you're on Q railroad" said Dan.
his eyes marrow. Nobody drinks in my cab.
see?"
You didn't need to throw it away. only
offered you a drink" ~
Nobody offers me a drink while I'm driving
a loco see9 Now swing that shovel buddy. and
swing 1t fast"
Reneili pulled on the tattered gloves, his eyes
dark. He went slowly TO the tender and re-
turned with shovel Of coal, shooting Hviei0sas-
iy on the hot bed. Dan watched him. gfInning.
So ~yOu' don't need % fbe'ssore, RefseIfi. You
got q lot TO learn, that's @l.1'ss - =
He went bark to the window. There wAs
yellow glow ahead In the sky-AEilWaukee. A
block dropped and he reached for the throttle.
pulling It back. They passed the nEst houses
and factories. dark in the night, stacks gasfnt
s@sAinst the stl0@ aStreet TRAITS Ei6kere1 past.
saMa0ne saAboa atE1t cFeasine. nsed Blo6lkE 8rSen
la@TaSss snrenansee uue Nike = shiEAmeklng 6zSei
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