A Pleasant Railroad Story.
A grudge turned to gratitude is the unusual experience of John Hansen, a railroad conductor of Atchison, Kan. Years ago when he was a freight conductor he whipped a boy for hopping his train. The boy threatened to kill him, and for several years shouted threats at him when the train passed by.
Finally Hansen was promoted to a passenger train, and did not see the boy, as he passed through the town at night.[{56}] Not long ago the conductor was in the lobby of a hotel at the terminal of his run when a powerfully framed man approached him and asked:
“Are you John Hansen?”
The conductor admitted it, and the stranger continued:
“Do you think you could whip me?”
Hansen admitted it was unlikely, as the stranger was a near giant.
“Well,” continued the stranger, “I am the fellow you whipped once for hopping trains, and I probably owe my sound legs, arms, and life to you. Shake hands.”