Argosy, Vol. 147, No. 1 — page 158: what you’re looking at

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

a 2s a> ] a ECHNICALLY Dave Thorne was Gi the best conductor on the Rock Hill ‘& division of the T. L. & G.; person- ily he was the very worst. He knew moreé saut the safe and prompt movement of ains than any other man on the division, d he exercised that knowledge with a srecision and directness that was next to sny. The outstanding admonition in e book of rules to the effect that « When 1 doubt, take the safe course and run no ks,” was not written for Dave. He nec never in doubt. ‘There is no pro- sying the heights he might have ined had he not, in the parlance, de- addition to his skill a guardian»angel 4 to watch over Dave Thorne. In ars of service on the Rock Hill never had a_ wreck. § wet » al | on OA . fs : os By LELAND S. CHESTER 144 trainmen have wrecks; a car or an engine may leave the rails, split a switch or meet with a thousand other unavoidable mis- haps. But none of these had ever hap- pened to Dave. Luck, of course; but it looked good on the records. In Dave’s time trainmen were poorly organized, especially on the T. L. & G. Promotion was based more upon record and favoritism than upon length of service. Dave had risen rapidly from brakeman to conductor, and on up through the classified freight runs to the blue uniform of an extra passenger man. For a man not quite thirty he was indeed getting on. But, as already stated, success had gone to his head. No member of his crew could get along with him. They were con- stantly deserting his runs for more con- genial working mates; and when, per- chance, some man endured his arrogance — 4 Pe’ ‘