possible. The question of revenue to the companies need not be ignored
for proper and efficient control would produce order, moderation,
neatness, artistic effect--and profit.

With the principal clerks of the office staff my relations were very
pleasant. The consideration with which I was treated by my chief, and
the footing upon which I stood with him, gave me a certain influence
which otherwise I should not have possessed. Till then there had been
absent from the company's staff any gathering together for purposes of
common interest or mutual enjoyment. The _Railway Benevolent
Institution_ provided a rallying point. I had been appointed its
representative on the Glasgow and South-Western Railway and we held
meetings and arranged concerts in its aid. Then, after a time, we
established for the principal clerks and goods agents and certain grades
of station masters, an annual day excursion into the country, with a
dinner and songs and speeches. "Tatlow is good at the speak," said
publicly one of my colleagues, in his broad Scotch way, and so far as it
was true this I daresay helped me. I was made permanent president of
these excursions and feasts, and often had to "hold forth," which I must
confess I rather enjoyed. We christened ourselves _The Railway
Ramblers_. The fact that I became the Scotch correspondent of the
_Railway Official Gazette_, a regular contributor to the _Railway News_,
and had access to the columns of several newspapers, enabled reports of
our doings to appear in print, and diffused some pleasure and pride
throughout the service. Also I became a weekly contributor of _Scotch
Notes_ to the _Montreal Herald_. In the _Railway Official Gazette_ was a
column devoted to short reviews of new books which were sent to the
editor. For a time, from some reason or other, I undertook this
reviewing. Possession of the books was the only recompense, though for
all other work payment in money was made. It was a daring thing on my