Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-07-14

moved slowly out of Chicago under the
care Of my friend, who, only intent on
doing his work as well as he knew how
seemed to have no higher ambition than
TO De good conductor-salary 5000
year. About noon, when he stopped at
station, he found telegram from the
head office ordering him to "leave the
tram IN the care of-,and take the
first train for Chicago
This was an unsual thing. Wonder
ing what could be the matter. conscious
that he had tried to do exactly right and
yet remembering how exactinp was the
General Superintendent, he feared that
unlntentlonally he had fallen under, his
displeasure. With fearful heart he
presented himself at the office of the
! SUPERINTENDENT
Good morning, Mr.. Hammond;
have received your telegram and come to
see What it means"
:" Good morning." growled the chief;
u see you have, sir, l have concluded to
take your train away from you."
| The conductors heart sank lower than
ever. What before was only fearful fore
bodlng was now painful truth. He had
served the company to the best of his
ability. he had kept the affairs of his
tram IN complete order, his reports had
been carefully and correctly made; and
yet, after all, lost his position. He dared
not hope to reverse the decision of the
all-powerful official, yet in as calm a
voice as he could command he politely
asked the reason for his summary dis mis-.
sal.
Col. Hammond waited while before
ne answered. Then the muscles of his
'face relaxed little, and he said; :" I
want an Assistant Superintendent in nv
Office. and have called you to take
the place"
True worth is always modest, and our
thunGerstruck conductor could enly STAN
mer: 8 But am not competent, sir, to
fill the position.
(" You can do what | tell you; you can
obey orders, can't you? That's all you
have to do, sir. You will begin work this
morning. That is your desk
The new duties were not as difficult as
ne expected. At first he had only to obev
orders, and carry out the details of work
laid out by the chief; and to these duties
he brought the same faithfulness and
able as a conductor His elevation did
not spoil him or make HIM vain. He was
as plain and modest and har a-workine
as before. His salary at first was 81 800
After few years service under Col
Hammond, and an advance of salary to
$4,000, the plain young man was invited
to take the office of Genera. Superinten-
dent or younger road, at a salary of 81,
OOO- Distrusting his own ability, but
determined to do his best, he accepted
the call, and succeeded, until the Chica-
go. Burlington & Quincy, realizing
how much they had lost in parting from
him, invited him to resume his old posi-
ton, and secured his services by the
tempting offer of $4,000 a year
In the mean time Col. Hammond had
become the General Superintendent of
the Union Pacific railroad, running from
Omaha to Ogoen, where it connects with
the Central Pacific railroad The Cen
trail Pacific Road was owned by four or
FIVE millionaires, who built it, one of
whom was its General Superintendent.
However good business man he was be
knew but little about raiIroading
But where could they find General
Superintendent who had the ability and
would dare to reorganize the road and
put its affairs upon better basis? They
consulted Col. Hammond and other rail,
road men, and the result was that most
unexpectedly, our whilom modest and
Woodworking conductor one dav received
a telegram asking him if he would un-
dertake the duties Of General Superin-
tendent of the Central Pacific railroad, at
salary of 10000. He was satisfied with
and appreciated by theChicago, Burling-
ton g. Quincy who proposed to increase
his pay to $1l 900, and as he preferred to
remain IN Chicago he declined the
prlncely offer made by the California
road. Then another telegram asked a.
what salary he would become chief of
the Central Pacific. Almost hoping to
discourage his tempters he telegraphed:
$4,000 year in gold.' At once cpme
the answer: accepted" So, taken in
his own trap, he had nothing to do but to
bid adieu to the city that had served him
so we'll and turn his face toward the land
Of gold.
This was nine years ago. He is still
General Superintendent of the Central
Pacific railroad, one of the most import
| ant railroads in the world With its con-
nections in California, this quiet man, not
yet torty-eight years old, now superin-
tends 2,734 miles ofrailroad, and connect
ing steamers, besides debating the tariffs of
| the China, the Australian and the Panama
lines of steamships. While other young
men, preferring present ease and comfort
to the interests Of their employers, wasted
money and time in billiard halls theaters
and drinking saloons, Albion N. Towne
was at work, building up character as
well as reputation, and now fills one of
of the most important positions in Cali
fornia, and instead af $3.50 year as a
brakeman on freight train he now draws
the comfortable salary of $4,000 year
in gold.
LUCKY man." says one. Luck" had
but little to do with it. Modest worth
did it. Faithtulness in the performance
of present duties, however humble, did it.
This untiring faithfulness in the humber
duties not only attracted the notice and
won the appreciation Of his superiors but
fitted him for the higher positions which,
without his seeking, he was called to fill.
"A. L. Seaoell, in Methodist Recorder.