Three cheers I say for the railroad

    man,

    The man whose nerves of steel
Brave death as only a hero's

    can,

    With every turn of the wheel.
 
The hazard of the rail is rife
    With greater risk than war;
The Mauser takes one noble life,
    The grinding wheels a score.
 
The service, better year by year,
    Is pushed with keenest vim;
Yet new conveniences come clear
    In railroad life and limb.
 
Excessive hours have grown in

    length,

    Till Nature fairly reels;
While flesh and blood exhaust their

    strength^___

And then the deadly wheels.
 
Responsibility and risk
    Confront him all the while.
What wonder he is brief and brisk,
    In honest soldier style ?
 
His heart how fearless, warm,

    sincere,

    His handshake how intense.
And What a head, so cool and

    clear

    In sudden exigence.
 
His faith and trust in man beget
    A faith in God as well,
What railroad man was ever yet
    At heart an infidel ?
 
No better friend on earth than he,
    No more unflinching foe;
With honest need how kind and free,
    How harsh with sham and show.
 
Then cheer the heroes of the rail,
    Befriend them if in need;
The Knighthood of the grimy mail,
    The Chivalry of speed.

^__Harry Edward Mills.