I was now plunged at once into the company of coarse men, for the office was temporarily only a portion of the shops and the headquarters for the freight conductors, brakemen, and firemen.  All of them had access to the same room with Superintendent Scott and myself, and they availed themselves of it.  This was a different world, indeed, from that to which I had been accustomed.  I was not happy about it.  I ate, necessarily, of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil for the first time.  But there were still the sweet and pure surroundings of home, where nothing coarse or wicked ever entered, and besides, there was the world in which I dwelt with my companions, all of them refined young men, striving to improve themselves and become respected citizens.  I passed through this phase of my life detesting what was foreign to my nature and my early education.  The experience with coarse men was probably beneficial because it gave me a “scunner” (disgust), to use a Scotism, at chewing or smoking tobacco, also at swearing or the use of improper language, which fortunately remained with me through life.

I do not wish to suggest that the men of whom I have spoken were really degraded or bad characters.  The habit of swearing, with coarse talk, chewing and smoking tobacco, and snuffing were more prevalent then than to-day and meant less than in this age.  Railroading was new, and many rough characters were attracted to it from the river service.  But many of the men were fine young fellows who have lived to be highly respectable citizens and to occupy responsible positions.  And I must say that one and all of them were most kind to me.  Many are yet living from whom I hear occasionally and regard with affection.  A change came at last when Mr. Scott had his own office which he and I occupied.

I was soon sent by Mr. Scott to Altoona to get the monthly pay-rolls and checks.  The railroad line was not completed over the Allegheny Mountains at that time, and I had to pass over the inclined planes which made the journey a remarkable one to me.  Altoona was then composed of a few houses built by the company.  The shops were under construction and there was nothing of the large city which now occupies the site.  It was there that I saw for the first time the great man in our railroad field—­Mr. Lombaert, general superintendent.  His secretary at that time was my friend, Robert Pitcairn, for whom I had obtained a situation on the railroad, so that “Davy,” “Bob,” and “Andy” were still together in the same service.  We had all left the telegraph company for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

Mr. Lombaert was very different from Mr. Scott; he was not sociable, but rather stern and unbending.  Judge then of Robert’s surprise, and my own, when, after saying a few words to me, Mr. Lombaert added:  “You must come down and take tea with us to-night.”  I stammered out something of acceptance and awaited the appointed hour with great trepidation.  Up to this time I considered that invitation the greatest honor I had received.  Mrs. Lombaert was exceedingly kind, and Mr. Lombaert’s introduction of me to her was:  “This is Mr. Scott’s ‘Andy.’” I was very proud indeed of being recognized as belonging to Mr. Scott.