CHAPTER XVII.
THE STREET MUSICIANS.
That afternoon Frank had a chance to help a machinist who was making some repairs on an engine. The work was difficult to reach, and the machinist kept Frank to pass him his tools as he required them. Frank watched to see how everything was done, and asked some questions. At first the engineer growled his answers, but Frank had a pleasant way of leading him on, so that, after a time, he became more agreeable. He was an intelligent man, and he appreciated intelligence in others. This being the case, it did not take him a great while to discover that Merriwell was different from the ordinary wiper.
When the machinist spoke of certain parts of the locomotive he found that his assistant knew something about them, or, at least, quickly caught onto his meaning. Then he was astonished to learn that Merry was spending his first day in a roundhouse.
“How have you picked up a knowledge of so many things about an engine, young man?” he asked.
“I have two books on locomotive engineering which I purchased,” answered Frank, reddening somewhat. “It was a subject that interested me, and I have read the books pretty thoroughly.”
“That’s it, eh? Well, you can’t learn anything of real practical value without experience; but those books may help you, my boy.”
“I think they will, sir, for I have a good memory, and I do not easily forget anything I study.”
“Keep on studying. Anything you want to know you can find out by asking me. They’ll tell you old Tom Bowers is sulky and surly, but don’t mind that. It’s only my way. I rather like your appearance. I think you are a young man with get-there in him, and get-there is what counts in this world.”
In this way Frank found another friend, much to the surprise of the other wipers, none of whom had been able to get along with Tom Bowers.