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A STRANGE RAILROAD WRECK

"But I have no money to pay the landlady."

"This note will fix you all right; she will wait till payday for your board bill. Come around at eight in the morning; the yardmaster will take care of you and give you final instructions."

Arriving at Mrs. Sullivan's, the stranger presented Trainmaster Tuckle's note to the landlandy. After reading it, she said, heartily:

"Why, sure, my boy; come right in, and we'll try to make you comfortable."

"A very strange boy," said Mrs. Sullivan to her cook and maid of all work, as they returned to the kitchen a little later. "He seems too good for a rail-roader. I hope the boys won't tease him because he is so different from them."

Next morning, a little before eight o'clock, Joe Fleming—for that was the name signed to the application blank—appeared before the trainmaster, ready for work.

"Well, young man, I am glad to see a little more color in your face this morning. Did you find accommodations at the boarding house I sent you to?"

"I did, sir; a very good-hearted woman is Mrs. Sullivan."

"You will find your name marked up on the board downstairs. I told the yardmaster you were inexperienced; he will attend to placing you with the crew who can teach you the work. Yesterday you