The position held by Mr. Dixon is indeed one of great responsibility, and should he fail to discharge his whole duty in giving each train the proper signal, great loss of life and property would result. So well has the company been pleased with his work, that they offer employment to other members of the race when they can show that they are properly fitted for duty. PHILIP J. ALLSTON. Mr. Philip J. Allston, of Boston, Mass., is holding what I consider a very unique position. After leaving the public school of Boston he accepted a position in the firm of Weeks & Potter, wholesale and retail druggists and chemists of that city. He was first employed as a bottle washer in 1878, but had not been in the establishment very long when he had learned the business of manufacturing the famous articles sold by that firm. [Illustration: PHILIP J. ALLSTON.] Mr. Warren B. Potter, of the firm, took great interest in Mr. Allston, and when a vacancy occurred in the laboratory he asked him if he would like to enter the laboratory. He said he would. After a year the chemist went on a vacation, leaving Mr. Allston in full charge of the laboratory. Mr. Potter being impressed with his work, asked him if he could take charge of the new laboratory erected at 135 and 137 Columbus avenue. He said: "Give me a trial." In 1882 he took charge of the laboratory with one man assistant. During this time he attended the Star School for drawing, and the English Evening High School, receiving instructions in the advanced branches. In 1889 Mr. Potter allowed him to take a course in Analytical, General and Qualitative Chemistry, as well as Practical Pharmacy, which he followed until Mr. Potter's death, in 1892. The laboratory is, without dispute, the finest in New England, ($10,000) ten thousand dollars being laid out in the summer of 1895 for repairs. Many appliances and improvements at Mr. Allston's suggestion has been added, and many new devices for facilitating the work. He has now five men under him, all members of his race, and all receiving twice the amount in wages he received when he began work for the company. He is well known among the pharmacists of Boston. In 1895, a personal letter from Prof. Capen, of Tufts College, presented him to every druggist in the city, he being a member of the committee on finance which raised over ($23,000) twenty-three thousand dollars for the Christian Endeavor fund. In 1892 he married Miss Maggie A. Whiting, formerly of Virginia. He has always been an active member of the A. M. E. Zion Church, having held the following positions: Teacher in the Sunday school; president of Clinton Literary Association; conductor of choir; assistant superintendent; superintendent, and now a member of the Board of Trustees. He is a member of the Suffolk Investment Association, secretary of the Wendell Phillips Club and secretary of the Crispus Attucks Club.