but that we will have a better Brotherhood in future by organizing this second class of insurance. We would not be constructing a coffin, as "Equalizer” states, but building up the B. of L. E. Why not advance our Brotherhood?

ence some who seek the position of a locomotive engineer, yet it is not so with all The responsibilities assumed, the dangers and exposures to be encountered, deserve a more generous recognition than they generally receive But when the time shall come that labor will occupy its proper position, and the mechanic stand at the head of the useful professions, the locomotive engineer will fill no second-person works with greater zeal, puts his rate niche. He stands, even to-day, above his brother mechanics inasmuch as qualities of mind not required in the shop are absolutely necessary to success in his vocation.

Battle CreeK, MICH., February 6, 1886.

MESSRS, EDITORS: In the January JOURNAL I find a letter signed "Equal

izer." The letter contains several fine points, some of which I cannot agree with. I was not a delegate at New Orleans, but in regard to a second-class in

surance I feel that the delegates did justice to the Brothers at large by settling this important matter by a two-thirds vote of the entire Brotherhood.

I think that all the Brothers should have a say in regard to making this organization one of the best on earth. I advocate the adoption of the second class of insurance; I think it will bind "Brotherly Love" closer than ever.

As for our Brothers at the convention using a day for an excursion, I think it is but just. After a day of recreation a

ideas into better words, and accomplishes better results..

་

We receive good instructions at "union meetings" which benefit the general Brotherhood, as well as the individual member. I think that the Brotherhood ought to feel proud of our last convention. I consider it the best one we have held as yet. It has done much towards elevating the character of the Engineer.

1

If Circular No. 1 goes into effect (and hope it will), we will have to take into otherwise be thrown upon us for charity. membership a few old men, who would Most of them, we might say, helped to build up the B. of L. E. to what it is at present. As for Division 33 every member is able to run one hundred and to give a "little mite” to an old, seventy-five miles per day. If we have worn-out Brother, we should feel it our duty, and it ought to be a pleasure to us and not an To help the needy is our aggravation. essential motto. This motto is embraced in "Justice." We ask justice from the several companies under which we work, and why not extend justice to our Brothers also? Yours fraternally,

GEO. A. JONES.

BROOKLYN, January 25, 1886. MESSRS. EDITORS: The readers of the

Take away our insurance and where is our Brotherhood? In five years no such an organization as the B. of L. E. would exist; it would simply be a thing of the past. By organizing a second class of JOURNAL undoubtedly ere this have woninsurance we may lose a very small per-dered at the unfilled space among Divicentage of the Brothers at present, but it will boom up better than ever again. We will have more unity, which makes greater strength; and there is no doubt

sion addresses and more so at one Division number not filled in. I am most happy to announce that they may turn to the page of addresses and find our tally,

The members of this Division desire to express their many heartfelt thanks to the officers of the Long Island R. R. Co. for the kind courtesies extended the members of the B. of L. E. in furnishing a special We

which is Brooklyn Division No. 299, who had been invited to be present on organized by the Engineers of the Brook- this occasion, gave us a good send-off for lyn Elevated R. R., at their hall, corner the wind-up. A fine Bible was to be of Georgia and Atlantic avenues, East presented by the writer and wife. Bro. New York, Saturday evening, January Puffenberger was chosen to make the 23d. At the hour appointed Brother presentation and was equal to the emerJohn Simpson, C. E. Division 269, Long gency. Island City, in company with a delegation of Brothers from Divisions Nos. 269, 105, 292, 21 and 171, who was in authority, proceeded with the installation of the newly-elected officers. There were present on this occasion about seventy-train to and from East New York. five Brothers. After the installation, hail this opportunity to announce to the addresses being next in order, Brother members of the fraternity that Brooklyn James Wright, our First Engineer, was first to respond to the Brothers' request with his able and kind remarks. He reviewed the Order from the day of his initiation into Division 171 to the present. He spoke of the redeeming qualifications and the great good it had done for the elevation of Engineers throughout the length and breadth of the land; of his high esteem and veneration for Division 187 and the noble acts of charity by its members.

Bro. Gleason, of Division 21, made a few appropriate remarks, and if the Brothers heed them, they may profit thereby. Bro. John Koopman, of Division 105, gave us a few illustrations of the aims and objects of the B. of L. E. and the benefits to be derived from it. Bro. Jule Smith was then called upon. He wished to be excused on account of his "boots"; they were excused, but Bro. Smith was not, and he gave a few illustrations of exploring the grounds around Elmira. Bro. John Simpson followed Bro. Smith, advising the members and admonishing them of the responsibility 1hat rested upon them, that the success of our Division depended upon the work and conduct of one toward another, and to act honorably at all times with our fellow-men and employers.

Division No. 299 is open and in order for business, and meets the first Saturday, at 8 P. M., and the third Sunday, at 10 A. M., in the month. We cordially and fraternally invite all members in good standing to meet with us. Fraternally yours,

SAMUEL BOOTH, C. E. Division 299.

LITTLE ROCK, Jan. 21, 1886.

MESSRS. EDITORS: Not seeing anything in the JOURNAL from Little Rock Division 182 for a long time, we write to let you know we are still prospering and working in harmony. We are not quite so numerous as formerly, as about thirty of our members withdrew last summer to form Silver City Division 278, at Argenta, Ark., on the opposite side of the Arkansas River from Little Rock. But we still have quite a large Division left.

The polar wave that paid us a visit about the 7th or 8th of January, was quite a surprise to the inhabitants of the "City of Roses," the mercury falling from 40 above to 7 below zero in 24 hours. It was so cold on the road, that it was necessary to use extra appliancesin the cabs for keeping out the frosty air. A great many persons had their ear frozen here.

I enjoyed very much reading "Lit le Driver s" communication in the Novem

Bro. Puffenberger, of Division 292, ber JOURNAL, dated at Florence, S. C.,

so utterly lonely that but for the small to much labor for him. He rented out specimen of humanity beside me, I might land every summer for corn and potatoes have imagined myself a female "Selkirk" and lived as best he could off what he on a deserted island, but one look at the got for his share of the product. Once a face of my boy, who was regarding me long while before he had conceived the with wistful eyes, as though to read my idea of building a fence in front of the thoughts, and all my despondency left house, and even went so far as to set the me. For his sake, more than my own, I posts, but the fence was no nearer comhad left the crowded city to seek the 'pletion when I last saw it. The barn fresh, pure air of the healthful country, doors were hanging by one hinge where that while roughing it in a new country they hung at all, and the roof had been and living entirely different from the old caught up in one of the gentle zephyrs life, he might gain better health, and for which that country is noted, and caralso cultivate habits of industry and self- ried away, but as there was seldom anydependence. As I could not determine thing to put in it that did not so much in what direction I would be most likely matter. As shiftless as they seemed, they to find a refuge, I followed the railroad had a great many good traits of characfor over a mile until I came to a small ter, and I was under many obligations to house which was filled with warm hearts, them for little acts of kindness. Easy and where I found a welcome such as going, good natured, and generous does not exist anywhere except in a new hearted friends, they have long been laid country where people are bound together to rest beneath the beautiful wild roses, by the closest ties of friendship to help and the tall waving grass of that western and protect each other, and although I prairie, there to sleep until the resurrecfound everything very different from tion morn. what I had been accustomed. I tried to look at things in as cheerful a light as possible, and soon became reconciled to the inevitable.

The first Sabbath I spent in my new home I had several calls. Some came out of curiosity, and others again out of real friendship.

My nearest neighbors were an elderly couple, with no children, who took so great a fancy to my boy, that they would willingly have adopted us both for his sake. They were natives of the South and often spoke with pride of their past grandeur, but a more improvident creature than "Uncle Isaac" as he was called, I had never seen. He was the owner of many broad acres of beautiful land, but never tried to raise anything but a little "garden truck." He told me he once tried to raise some corn, but the weeds got ahead of him, and he had to give it up. I thought it might have required

It was customary in those days for men who had families and went west to select a location, to stay and raise a crop and make things as comfortable as possible for the reception of the wife and little ones who remained behind to enjoy the pleasures of life without any of its annoyances. So it often happened there was not a woman for miles around, and any who were able and willing to make themselves usefvl, were always in demand. I made the acquaintance of one of these bachelors who has a wife that could not endure the idea of burying herself alive, as she expressed it. So he worked and toiled, raised cattle and sold, and deprived himself of the actual necessities of life to pamper to her folly. I heard afterwards that he had to abandon his claim, as it was impossible for her to be persuaded to live in such a wild uncivilized country, as it was considered at that time.

It was at the home of this same gentle- flew into the house, and securely bolted man, near one of the pretty little lakes the doors between myself and them. that are scattered over that section of The house was a small frame of two country, that I had my first experience with Indians.

rooms, with only one door that opened into an outside shed built of heavy During the season for cutting and cur- planks, having two doors at opposite ing grass, myself and boy were engaged ends, both secured with stout fastenings, to cook for the hands, and as they had so when I had bolted both these doors; about 200 acres of grass to cut, it re- and gone into the main house and locked quired some time, as well as several as myself in there, I felt comparatively safe, sistants to put it in ricks ready for winter | unless they should fire the house. The use, and I found enough to do to keep windows were made very high from the me from getting lonesome, while the lit-ground, so the Indians could not look in, tle fellow spent the most of his time on and I did not dare look out; we could the lake, either in fishing or rowing neither of us give any idea of the moveabout in a small boat, and occasionally to ments of the other, for they were so sly vary the monotony of such an existence, and trod so soft and cat-like that I never would take a pony and ride to the near- heard a sound, unless it was the beating est postoffice, a distance of about nine of my heart which seemed to be crawling miles, to get our mail. When he was up into my throat. But after waiting for away I naturally felt anxious, and feared a demonstration on the part of the enemy he might be thrown from the pony, or till the suspense became intolerable, I some other calamity overtake him, and concluded to unlock the door into the used to watch for his appearance around shed and take a survey of the outside the head of the lake where a small grove from a knot hole I had often noticed, but of trees and bushes hid the road beyond just as I stooped to place my eye in the from view. position to enable me to take a view of the outside, a big Indian, thinking to reconnoitre the interior from the same point of observation, stooped also, and I looked him square in the eye. Neither of us made a sound, but each head was withdrawn on the instant, and in less time than it takes me to tell it, I had retired behind the inner door. In a short time I heard the tramping of the ponies, and stealthily raising the window curtain at one corner to peep out, saw them taking their departure, but slight as was. the movement it was detected by the Indians, and they greeted it with shouts, and yells of derision. But whatever they thought of my conduct, I at least felt as if it were better to be a living coward than a dead heroine. It did not add to my self confidence, however, to learn on return of the male portion of the household, that they were a small band of

At one time when out looking for his return, I spied a party of ten or a dozen Indians on their ponies riding at full speed across the prairie from an opposite direction, and making straight for the house. I gave a hurried glance around me, but there was not another human being anywhere in sight, and not an inhabited house in miles, so concluded that my time had come. I had never seen an Indian outside of pictures before, and from what I had read in books of Indians history, I was led to think that when they had their faces painted, they were on the war path; not knowing that it is their custom always to paint their faces in the most hideous manner possible, and when they go into battle do not change their appearance at all. I did not stop at that time to make a study of their manners and customs, but fairly