Probably few people know it, but the institution of the
bell-cord, by which the engineman is signaled to stop his train,
was due to the courtesy of a conductor. A general passenger
agent told the story the other day. Back in the fifties, when
wood was still used for fuel in locomotives, the conductor
on a local train rigged up a bell-cord so that he could let
passengers off at will. The stop signal was given too often for
the engineman, who finally became so annoyed that he cut the
rope. At the next stop the conductor went forward to the engine
cab.
“Jim,” he said, “I’m going to treat my passengers right. You tie
up that bell-cord, and if you cut it again I’ll punch your head.”
The engineman cut the cord again, and the conductor, who valued
his reputation for courtesy to passengers, went forward and
delivered the promised thrashing. Conductors nowadays, tho, are
not quite so primitive in their methods, and are not obliged
to administer personal discipline to fellow employés.--Buffalo
_Evening News_.
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