The history of the first locomotives in America. From original ...

GEORGE STEPHENSON. 47
Steptenson, tlie father of George, was a poor, hardworking
man, and supported his family entirely from
his own wages of less at first than, but afterward raised
to, twelve shillings a week.
The wagons loaded with coal passed by Wylam
several times a day. These wagons were drawn by
horses ; for locomotives had not been dreamed of by the
most visionary of that early period. George's first
wages were twopence per day, to herd some cows owned'
by a neighbor which were allowed to feed along the
road ; to watch and keep them off the tram-road, and
out of the way of the coal-wagons ; also, to close the
gates after the day's work of the wagons was over.
The old mine being worked out, the Stephenson
family removed to the new opening at Dudley Bum,
where Kobert, the father, worked as fireman. George's
first work about these mines was at what is known as a
picker. His duty was to clean the coal of stone, slate,
and other impurities, at wages advanced to sixpence
per day, and, after promotion, raised to eighteen-pence
per day.
After several removals to new openings, as the coal
would be worked out in the old, George, who had
always lived at home, and was now about fifteen years
of age, found himself at the new opening, at Jolly's Close,
where he was promoted to the position of fireman, at
the opening called " Mid Mill Winnin." There he remained
two years, and was then again removed to a new
pit near Throckly Bridge, where he worked, and his
wages were raised to twelve shillings per week. He
next worked at a new opening called Water Bow, where
a pumping machine was erected, and George, who was
then seventeen years of age, was placed in charge as
plugman and engineer, while his father worked under
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