“Three rousing cheers for Tommy Toppleton,” called the student to whom I had given the hint.
Perhaps some of them thought that Mr. Tommy had not done anything to entitle him to the consideration; but the cheers were given, and supplemented with a “tiger.”
“Fellow-students, I thank you for this compliment, and for this evidence of your good will,” said Tommy, taking off his hat. “I have done the best I could to help along the Lake Shore Railroad, and as the president of the company, I am much obliged to you for this token of encouragement. When our rolling stock was buried beneath the wave, it was my duty to do something; and I’ve done it. I’m glad you are satisfied with the result.”
Then Tommy was the president of the Lake Shore Railroad Company! I did not know this before; his zeal was fully explained, and I was all the more pleased that I had permitted him to exercise the lion’s share of the authority.
“Three cheers for Major Toppleton,” squeaked a little fellow, who thought the magnificent patron of the enterprise had been neglected.
The great man bowed and smiled, as great men always do when they are cheered; but he did not take up any of our valuable time by making a speech.
“Tommy, we want some oil and some packing,” I suggested to the president of the road, after I had examined the machinery of the dummy.
“Do you think you can start her up to-night, Wolf?” asked Tommy, anxiously, after he had despatched half a dozen of his satellites for the required articles.
“Certainly we can; you shall ride over to Spangleport, and back to Middleport in her,” I replied. “Now let some of your fellows bring up water to fill the boiler and the tank, and we will get up steam in the course of an hour or so.”
The boys returned from the steam mill with packing and oil; and, while others were bringing wood and water, I rubbed up and oiled the machinery. Brooms, mops, and cloths were obtained, and, under Tommy’s direction, the passenger portion of the car was cleaned and wiped. The engine had been well oiled before it was sent up from Philadelphia, and I had nothing to do but wipe off the water and lubricate the running parts. I kindled a fire in the furnace, and, when the smoke began to pour out of the smoke-stack, the students yelled for joy.