"'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--'
"'Tut, tut, I don't care about that; I've ordered the firemen on the 12
and 17 changed--and they are going to be changed.'
"The Kid had followed me into the office, and at this point said, very
respectfully:
"'Excuse me, sir, but Mr. Wainright and I get along so nicely together.
Daniels is a bad man; so is Kelly; and neither will get along with
decent men. Why can't you--'
"'There! stop right there, young man. Now, will you go on the 17 _as
ordered_?'
"'Yes, if Jim Wainright runs her.'
"'No _ifs_ about it; will you go?'
"'No, sir, I won't!'
"'You are discharged, then.'
"'That fires me, too,' said I.
"'Not at all, not at all; this is a fireman row, Jim.'
"I don't know what struck me then, but I said:
"'No one but this boy shall put a scoop of coal in the 12 or any other
engine for me; I'll take the poorest run you have, but the Kid goes with
me.
Pages:
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31