Canastota High School - Toot Yearbook (Canastota, NY)

Page 13 text:

THE TOOT 11 mnrmni-x-inmnmf ■ )ririr, JOOOOOCX THE MAN ON THE JOB DARWIN CREGG Van Etten tower is stationed at the junction of the Auburn and Seneca division of the Lehigh Valley Railroad. It is not a very large or attractive building, but in it are the knobs that control the electric signals, derails and switches which make the track safe for the trains that pass over from one track to another at a speed of sixty miles per hour. Raymond Shaw is the operator, and any mistake made by him in controlling the signals, derails or switches might cost the lives of many persons and damage much property. It is a simple operation to turn a little knob to throw a switch or clear a signal, but there is great responsibility and a slight error would amount to as much as a big one. One day in mid-winter, as he sat at his desk copying a train order, he heard a sharp crack on the telephone followed by sparks coming from the induction coils that were fastened near on the side of the wall. In another moment a pile of papers near the coils were on fire. As they burned, one of the papers fell into the waste paper basket, setting the entire contents on fire. At that same instant there was a fast freight approaching on the Auburn division. What should Raymond do now. Put out the fire or line up the signals and switches for the train? A speedy decision was imperative. He would first line up the switches and do his duty, then he would put out the fire. He executed his first plan and the train rushed safely by, while the fire in the tower reached a stage beyond control. He rushed down to the ground to get water, but could not find a pail, and by the time he returned the building had filled with smoke and the flames were breaking out all over. The stairway had given way and all hopes of extinguishing it were gone. By this time many people had gathered around and most of them were confused and excited, but Raymond remained calm; every nerve in his body was as steady as the time when he was turning the little knobs that threw the switches. The Black Diamond Express, heavily laden with college men and women on the way back to college after the holidays, was due in thirty minutes, and the wires were burning off one by one and drop- ping to the ground. This cleared every signal, opened every derail and threw some of the switches one way and some another. No flag could stop a flier at this point. Raymond glanced up at the pole where the wires were fastened Continued on page 21

Page 12 text:

10 THE TOOT who have not yet passed beyond the age of notes and signals. All over my kingdom I see the powder puff used without discretion on many a rosy cheek, and very few ears are visible among the ladies on account of the prevailing fashion in hair dressing. Many of these small beings are evidently interested in the affairs of the nation, for during chapel many a small head is bent indus- triously over the daily papers. You, Jim, seem most interested. Do you expect to become a presidential candidate? Here I see Foster running hither and yon without his pass. Be- ware, my child; some day you will be caught. Cootie, why did you spend so many hours on the piano stool when you might have been squirming comfortably in your own seat? I notice, Mary, that your shoes are as noisy as the wearer. I should advise all those who wish squeaky shoes to patronize your favorite store. I see the Juniors file out each Friday afternoon, watched by the wistful Sophs and Freshies. Rarely the ancient Seniors join this procession. I hear the giggling Mildreds, but looking into their future I see them as dignified teachers punishing small pupils who have chanced to let forth a little mirth. They seem to have forgotten their far away childhood. I hear your noonday attempt, dear Erma, and I certainly admire your pluck. But keep on and perhaps in ten years’ time you may be one of the most renowned chorus girls in Wampsville. Those weird grunts of Marie, are you speaking Sweedish? It certainly doesn't sound like Latin or French. Oh! Mattie, with your rhyming tongue. Does Roger still admire you? Why, Glenn, I no longer see your graceful limp. When did you leave off? My eyes pierce the walls behind me and I view with interest the many events in the drawing room. My hands are tired. My face aches, and . . I. . . . guess....I. . ..must..........be running.............down. “ Here, Robert, you’d better take the baby and let me carry the eggs. I’m afraid you’ll drop them.” Question—“What do you do with your shoes when you wear them out?” Answer—“ I wear them back in the house again.”

Page 14 text:

12 THE TOOT forty feet above him. He had never tried to climb with spurs, but he knew that if he could gain the top that he could at least try to relieve the situation. He buckled on a set of spurs, put a pair of pliers in his pocket and began to ascend the pole. He took his steps one by one, slow but sure, and made his way up those forty feet as well as an experienced line- man. One by one, he cleared up the wires, and the derails and switches began to close, thus lining up the track for the Seneca division and the Black Diamond. But one derail would not close and left the way open for the oncoming flier. His repeated attempts were not successful. His time was nearly up and he could see in the distance the approaching flier. Soon the four short blasts of the whistle for the signal shrieked fifty rods away. He spliced two wires as his final attempt and as the train approached within a hundred feet of the signal, the arm slowly began to raise and close the derail. The engineer, with fixed eyes, again opened the throttle and the train bound for Ithaca, carrying two hundred young men and women back to college, passed safely over the junction. Twenty years after, Raymond, who was now in his fifty-second year, sat in the “new tower,” which was now getting old, thinking of his success, an errorless career at the signals and switches. He also thought of the time when he had climbed the pole, when Dame For- tune had guided his hands that he might save the lives of the young men and women who were now taking part in the world’s activities. As he sat thinking, the division superintendent, a middle-aged man, entered the room. In a casual manner he drew out of Raymond the story of the near accident so many years ago, and he disclosed his identity as one of the boys on the train going back to college. The superintendent’s heart softened with gratitude as he looked back at the heroic task, which for twenty years had passed unnoticed by either the railroad company or the world. Now in a position to show his gratitude and affection, he mentioned a reward to the faithful servant of the roadroad. Raymond looked up at him and replied, “I have done nothing to be rewarded for. I simply did my duty for the company for which I am working. They give me a job with a salary and it is my duty to work for their interest.” “That may be true,” said the superintendent. “You saved the company a good many dollars, but that was not all. You saved the lives of men and women who are now valuable to our country and you deserve a reward, though it be tardy.” “That was my duty to God,” replied Raymond. “Would it have Continued on page 21