Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 May 1891 — HE WAS TOO FRESH, [ARTICLE]

HE WAS TOO FRESH,

And Hadn’t Got on to the Rules of the Road. Kalamazoo Telegraph. One side of a conversation over the telephone is said to be very satisfactory, but the one which a reporter happened to hear a few days ago gave Eromise of being so interesting that e waited to hear the finish. It seems that W. O. Hughart, president of the G. R. & I. railroad, was in the city and called at Mount Holyoke Seminary, as he takes great interest in that educational institution, being president of the board of trustees. The time flew rapidly, and he found himself late for the train home. About this time the telephone bell ang in the Grand Rapids & Indiana ’epot, and a young man, late of Kentucky, a new employe of the road, and one not acquainted with the officials, answered the call. Here is the conversation at the depot end of the line: “Yes, this is the G. R. <fc I. “At 2:25, sir.” “Hold the train? Well, I gi.ess not 19 “I’ll bet you $2 we don’t hold t." “Just a few seconds? We won’t hold it a second.” ‘‘Don’t care who you are? See you in Jericho before we’ll delay a tram.” “Won’t do any good to talk with Mr. Baker. We run our trains on time. This is no jim-crow line. ” ‘ ‘Who in thunder is Hughart?” At the mention of that name every one in the office, from station agent Baker to the messenger boy, made a rush and tried to get the telephone away from the Kentucky chap, but, nothing daunted, the young man sung out: “Stand back, there: I started in with this duck, and I gueSs I can handle him.” “But he is the president of the road,” argued Mr. Baker. “The president of the road!” gasped the young man. And then he yelled' over the wire: “Yes, we’ll hold the train for you—hold it a week if you say so!”