The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 19 — page 3: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ARGOSY even think of making an application for work in any department of the railroad service. This seemed strange, too, in view of the fact that he had always taken a deep interest in everything that pertained to ‘‘a life on the rail,” having in his earlier years most assiduously ‘‘ played tars" with the yenuine toy article, and their rude substitutes in the way of blocks of wood, old books, etc., and later, studied Forney’s ‘‘ Catechism of the Locomotive " so thoroughly that Mr. Dykeman said he believed he knew more about a railroad engine than a yreat many enyineers. Perhaps it was because he did not know exactly what part of the service he was best fitted for, and thought only a practically experi- enced hand would stand any chance for an engagement. At any rate, the possibility of getting employment on a railroad did not occur to him till it was forced upon him. The next morning after the momentous interview with his grand- father which had so suddenly changed the current of his life, and told him he did not even know his own name, Dash closely scanned the ** Help Wanted ” columns of the Ledger and other papers, and made a list of the ‘‘ wants” that he thought promised a chance of employ- ment. We do not propose to follow him in his weary round. It was the same old story that has so often been told. Hundreds of applicants for each place, and that filled before his turn came for an interview; small, pitiful wages, and sometimes a request that he work months, or a year, without compensation ; lack of experience in special lines, and finally, he was either too large or too small, too young or too old. Each day for a week the programme was repeated, with variations, and Dash began to have grave doubts if there was really work for him to do; that is, work for which there was remuneration, for he felt he never could work harder than he had, tramping about seekiny a situa- tion, ° Finally, in glancing over the morning papers, as had been his habit for the last six days, he came to a notice that the Congressman of the district in which he lived had at his disposal a cadetship in the Naval Academy at Annapolis, for which a competitive examination would be held on a certain date. ’ As the examination was to take place in the city where he lived, Dash resolved, with his grandfather's permission, to make an effort to secure the appointment. Mr. Dvykeman, having some knowledge of the method and scope of such examinations, was able to give Dash valua- ble advice as to the necessary preparation. The boy brought forth his books again, and brushed up on those branches in which he felt he had grown rusty, When the day came he was well equipped for the ordeal, and distanced all competitors by at least half a dozen marks, | Having passed the preliminary examination and pained the appoint- ment, he went to Annapolis to undergo the final tests, mentally and physically. To be brief, he passed well in the former, and met all the requirements in the latter, with the exception of a slight defect in vision ; but this was sufficient to debar him. It was with keen disappointment indeed that Dash returned home and announced his rejection. He subsequently learned that the boy who ranked next to him in the competitive examination succeeded in entering the Academy. We mention this unsuccessful effort to enter the Navy in order to show by what a combination of unfortunate circumstances Dash was compelled to take up a business which he followed for several vears. This second avenue to a profession being thus closed to him, he once more resumed his search for employment in the city, though with no hopes of success. One day his quest led him over into the western part of the town and far out to the suburbs, near where some large buildings were being erected in preparation for a coming exposition. His long journey was fruitless, and, with the idea that he would in- spect the exposition buildings while he was out there, he walked over toward them. A railroad company had put in several tracks at the grounds and a large station building for the accommo_lation of visitors from its lines and the city. It was to be a sort of relay depot, where all trains going to or from the city would stop, and would, of course, be an important telegraph station. The building had just been finished, and the line- men were running wires to the new telepraph office. Dash watched with interest the clambering about on the lofty poles of the linemen, with their sharp ‘‘ climbers,” or steel spikes, strapped to their feet. He followed one of them into the building where the lines were to be run, and found a number of other men busy straight- 291 ening out and adjusting what seemed an inextricably mixed mass of wires above and under a long table. A young man, apparently about twenty one or two, seemed to be superintending the work, and, as Dash heard him giving directions, it seemed to him that there was something familiar in the voice. As he Stepped further into the room to get a nearer view, the young man turned toward him with an inquiring look, ‘Mr. Tickmore !” cried Dash, in tones of astonishment and pleas- Ure, at the same time extending his hand. “Pm you're man!" responded the young gentleman, with a mysti- fied smile, as he not very cordially took the proffered hand; ‘ but I must confess you've got the advantage of me.” ‘Don't you know me—Dash Dykeman ?” said Dash, with a slight feeling of disappointment, forgetting that, though Tickmore had not changed much in five years, he himself had altered a great deal. “The collision at Lonewood,” murmured Tickmore—that dreadful tragedy first recalled by the mention of the other’s name. ‘' Are you really that poor little chap who was left alone in the world so sud- denly ?” he continued, as he gave the hand he held a hearty pressure, and gazed earnestly at Dash, who was now somewhat taller than him- self, ‘* Well, well, Iam truly glad to see you again; but really, you have grown prodigtously, and out of all semblance to yourself of five years ago. How do you happen to be here ?” “Tf you mean how I came to be out here at the exposition grounds,” smiled Dash, ‘‘ I came to see a man who advertised for an assistant in the office of a lumber yard; but, as usual, [ pot there too late.” ** No; I mean how ts it you are a thousand miles from where I saw you last?” interposed Tickmore. ‘© Oh, 1 have been here nearly ever since that time.” ‘How is that ?” Dash briefly narrated how he had been found and taken care of by his grandfather, not volunteering any information as to the change in his prospects within the last few weeks. ‘* But why are you looking for a situation, Dash ?”: asked the oper- ator, as the story was concluded. ‘““A case of necessity, Mr. Tickmore,” was the reply ; and, feeling drawn toward one who had been with him in his hour of affliction and need, Dash told of his recent change of fortune and disappoint- ments. He felt that the facts concerning his real name, or his igno- rance of it, were too personal and private to be shared with any one, ‘* I’m truly sorry you've had to give up so much, Dash, and have met with such poor success in striking out for yourself,” said Mr. Tick- more, in sympathetic tones, which imparted a new stimulus to Dash's confidece and courage. “Wry don't you try to get into the railroad service ?” “ T never thought of it before ; besides, what is there I can do with- Out previous experience ?” Oh, lots of things. my boy. I’m sure vou must be a good penman and well up in mathematics. They need bright, industrious young fellows in the accounting, ticket and freight departments. But what's the matter with your learning to be an operator ? You know you were very anxious to do this five years ago.” “Nothing,” responded Dash, slowly and doubtfully, *S except, per- haps, it will take me a long time to master the business and takea pay- Ing position, I don’t want to be an expense to my grandfather any longer than I can possibly help it.” ‘ That's so,” mused the operator thoughtfully ; ‘* but possibly I can manage it so you can earn something to pay expenses while you are learning.” ‘* How 2?” asked Dash eagerly. ‘T don’t like to suggest the position for a young fellow of your in- telligence, and probably the pay would be too small to be of much as- sistance.” ‘You must leave me to judge of that, Mr. Tickmore. smiled Dash. ‘6 When this office is opened we shall need a messenger, and as I am to be the chief I will have the hiring of him,” explained Tickmore. ‘Well, ['m sure I don't feel above such a position ; in fact, anything honest will be acceptable.” ‘But it will only pay you five dollars a week ; possibly not quite so much,” continued the operator. ‘© That's rather small,” said Dash slowly, as he rapidly considered the proposition, *‘ but not nearly so much so as some of the offers | have had lately.” Though the sum would have been hardly adequate for his needs had What is it ? 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