Danger Signals. John A. Hill

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      "The old man told me to hire whoever I liked, and I told Miss Reynolds to bring the boy in the morning.

      "'Won't you wait until Monday? It will be an accommodation to me.'

      "Of course I waited.

      "The next day Miss Reynolds did not come to the office, and I was busy at the shop. Monday came, but no Miss Reynolds. About nine o'clock, however, the foreman came down to the Experiment with a boy, apparently about eighteen years old, and said there was a lad with a note for me.

      "Before reading the note I shook hands with the boy, and told him I knew who he was, for he looked like his sister. He was small, but wiry, and had evidently come prepared for business, as he had some overclothes under his arm and a pair of buckskin gloves. He was bashful and quiet, as boys usually are during their first experience away from home. The note read:

      "'Dear Mr. Wainright.—This will be handed you by brother George. I hope you will be satisfied with him. I know he will try to please you and do his duty; don't forget how green he is. I am obliged to go into the country to settle up some of my father's affairs and may not see you again before you go. I sincerely hope the "Experiment," George, and his engineer will be successful. I shall watch you all.

      "'G. E. Reynolds.'

      "I felt kind of cut up, somehow, about going away without bidding Old Business—as the other draughtsman called Miss Reynolds—good-by; but I was busy with the engine.

      "The foreman came along half an hour after the arrival of young Reynolds, and seeing him at work cleaning the window glass, asked who he was.

      "'The fireman,' said I.

      "'What! that kid?'

      "And from that day I don't think I ever called young Reynolds by any other name half a dozen times. That was the 'Kid' you knew. When it came quitting time that night, I asked the Kid where they lived, and he said, Charlestown. I remarked that his voice was like his sister's; but he laughed, and said I'd see difference enough if they were together; and bidding me good-night, caught a passing car.

      "We broke the Experiment in for a few days, and then tackled half a train for Providence. She would keep her water just about hot enough to wash in with the pump on. It was a tough day; I was in the front end half the time at every stop. The Kid did exactly what I told him, and was in good spirits all the time. I was cross. Nothing will make a man crosser than a poor steamer.

      "We got to Providence in the evening tired; but after supper the Kid said he had an aunt and her family living there, and if I didn't mind, he'd try to find them. I left the door unlocked, and slept on one side of the bed, but the Kid didn't come back; he was at the engine when I got there the next morning.

      "The Kid was such a nice little fellow I liked to have him with me, and, somehow or other (I hardly noticed it at the time), he had a good influence on me. In them days I took a drink if I felt like it; but the Kid got me into the habit of taking lemonade, and wouldn't go into drinking places, and I soon quit it. He gave me many examples of controlling my temper, and soon got me into the habit of thinking before I spoke.

      "We played horse with that engine for four or five weeks, mostly around town, but I could see it was no go. The patent fuel was no good, and the patent fire-box little better, and I advised the firm to put a standard boiler on her and a pair of links, and sell her while the paint was fresh. They took my advice.

      "The Kid and I took the engine to Hinkley's, and left her there; we packed up our overclothes, and as we walked away, the Kid asked: 'What will you do now, Jim?'

      "'Oh, I've had a nice play, and I'll go back to the road. I wish you'd go along.'

      "'I wouldn't like anything better; will you take me?'

      "'Yes, but I ain't sure that I can get you a job right away.'

      "'Well, I could fire for you, couldn't I?'

      "'I'd like to have you, Kid; but you know I have a regular engine and a regular fireman. I'll ask for you, though.'

      "'I won't fire for anybody else!'

      "'You won't! What would you do if I should die?'

      "'Quit.'

      "Get out!'

      "'Honest; if I can't fire for you, I won't fire at all.'

      "I put in a few days around the 'Hub,' and as I had nothing to do, my mind kept turning to Miss Reynolds. I met the Kid daily, and on one of our rambles I asked him where his sister was.

      "'Out in the country.'

      "'Send word to her that I am going away and want to see her, will you, Kid?'

      "'Well, yes; but Sis is funny; she's too odd for any use. I don't think she'll come.'

      "'Well, I'll go and see her.'

      "'No, Sis would think you were crazy.'

      "'Why? Now look here Kid, I like that sister of yours, and I want to see her.'

      "But the Kid just stopped, leaned against the nearest building, and laughed—laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks. The next day he brought me word that his sister had gone to Chicago to make some sketches for the firm and hoped to come to see us after she was through. I started for Chicago the day following, the Kid with me.

      "I had little trouble in getting the Kid on with me, as my old fireman had been promoted. I had a nice room with another plug-puller, and in a few days I was in the old jog—except for the Kid. He refused to room with my partner's fireman; and when I talked to him about saving money that way, he said he wouldn't room with any one—not even me. Then he laughed, and said he kicked so that no one could room with him. The Kid was the butt of all the firemen on account of his size, but he kept the cleanest engine, and was never left nor late, and seemed more and more attached to me—and I to him.

      "Things were going along slick enough when Daddy Daniels had a row with his fireman, and our general master mechanic took the matter up. Daniels' fireman claimed the run with me, as he was the oldest man, and, as they had an 'oldest man' agreement, the master mechanic ordered Smutty Kelly and the Kid changed.

      "I was not in the roundhouse when the Kid was ordered to change, but he went direct to the office and kicked, but to no purpose. Then he came to me.

      "'Jim,' said he, with tears in his eyes, 'are you satisfied with me on the 12?'

      "'Why, yes, Kid. Who says I'm not?'

      "'They've ordered me to change to the 17 with that horrible old ruffian Daniels, and Smutty Kelly to go with you.'

      "'They have!' says I. 'That slouch can't go out with me the first time; I'll see the old man.'

      "But the old man was mad by the time I got to him.

      "'That baby-faced boy says he won't fire for anybody but you; what have you been putting into his head?'

      "'Nothing; I've treated him kindly, and he likes me and the 12—that's the cleanest engine on the—'

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