For the first few months, unless he is fortunate enough to gain favor in the eyes of some obliging engineer, no one is going to stop to explain matters and he need not expect it. Nevertheless there are a thousand and one little things that he can pick up if he is shrewd, all of which will come in play later on. When the locomotive is taken out watch how they do it. When it comes in keep your eyes open for points, and you will be sure to get them. When it breaks down and comes in for repairs then is the very time of all others to be on hand if you can and watch how they fix it. Every day will bring its own information--the boy's work is to watch and remember, but he must not ask too many questions, and never any at improper times, unless he desires the ill-will of everybody in the yard. By and bye he will be made an oiler, put to cleaning the big iron horse and other work of similar sort. After a time he will slip into a fireman's job, and then he must understand that his chance has come. Now all depends upon himself. Make friends with your engineer while you are acting as fireman, and learn from him all you can. The way to make friends is to be industrious, obliging and always courteous, no matter how tired you are or how badly things seem to go. The troubles and disappointments of one day should not be brought down to the next. Let every day be a new beginning in itself. Don't drink. Don't swear. Don't lose your temper and flare out under reproof. Don't shirk your work and try to do as little us you can. [Illustration: BEHIND THE LOCOMOTIVE--LOOKING IN FROM THE CAB.] Don't say to yourself so and so ain't my work and I ain't going to do it. Do whatever your hands find to do and do it with all your might. A model engineer is distinguished by the fullness of his knowledge of the engine, and this must be learned while you are a fireman--not after you become an engineer. He should love his work--the locomotive should be his hobby--and whatever contributes to enlarge his stock of information concerning it should contribute to his happiness. Unless he can feel that way, he should promptly step out of the cab and turn his attention to some other business, for he can never hope to make a good engineer. On the engine is the only place where one can learn to be an engineer. During the time the engine is under steam with a train, everything seen, heard, felt and smelt is capable of affording a lesson. On the engine the eye is trained to distinguish different colors at considerable distances. If one is color-blind he cannot be a good engineer. On the engine the ear learns to detect the slightest variation in the beats and knocks about the machinery--to distinguish the difference between the knock of an axle box and the knock of a journal.