The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-03-05

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an assistant superintendent in my Office,
and have called you to take the place."
True worth is always modest, and our
thunderstruck conductor could only STAN
mer, "But / am not competent, sir, to fill
he position
"You can do what tell you. You can
obey orders, can't your That's all you
have to do, sir. You will begin work
this morning. That is your desk"
The new duties were not 80 difficult as
he expected. AT first, he had only to
obey orders, and carry out the details of
work laid out by the chief; and to these
duties he brought the same faithfulness
and thoroughness that had made him no
ticeable as conductor. His elevation
did not spoil him or make him vain. He
was as plain and modest and Woodworking
as before. The salary at first was 81 800.
After a few years. service under Colonel
Hammond and an advance of salary to
81, 500, the plain young man was invited
to take the Office of general superintendent
of a younger road at salary Of 81 900.
Distrusting his own ability, but deter
mined to do his best, he accepted the call,
and succeeded, until the Chicago, Bur-
lington & Quincy, realizing how much
they had lost in parting with him, invited
him to resume his old position, and Sc
cured his services by the tempting offer
of $4,000 year.
In the meantime, Colonel Hammond
had become the general superintendent of
the Union Pacific railroad, running from
Omaha to Ogden, where it connects with
the Central Pacific railroad. This Gen.
trail Pacific road was owned by four or
five millionaires who bad built it. Its
general superintendent, however good
business man he was, knew but little
about railroading, and under his care the
road was anything but prosperous, until
the owners and directors resolved upon
radical and sweeping change.
But where could they find general gu
perintendent who had the ability and
would dare to reorganize the road and put
its affairs upon better basis. They con-
suited Colonel Hammond and other rail-
road men and the result was that, most
Unexpectedly, oul whilom modest and
Woodworking conductor one day received
telegram asking him if he would under
take the duties of general superintendent
of the Central Pacific railroad, at salary
of $40 900. He was satisfied with, and
appreciated by, the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy, who proposed to increase his pay
to 81, 900; and, as he preferred to remain
in Chicago, he declined the princely offer
made by the California road. Then an
other telegram asked at what salary he
would become the chief of the Central
Pacific. Almost hoping to discourage his
tempters, he telegraphed, "$13 900 year
in gold" At once came the answer, {" Ac-
cepted." So, taken in his own trap, he
had nothing to do but to bid adieu to the
city that had served him 80 well, and turn
his face toward the land of gold. My
story would be too long if l should try to
tell you the unexpected difficulties he en-
countered from the old officers of the road,
who had determined that they would not
be superseded, and that the new superin-
tendent should never enter upon his duties /;
how, supported by the directors of the
road, he quietly took control, disarmed
prejudice, compelled submission, and
earned success.
This was nine years ago. He is still
general superintendent of the Central
Pacific railroad, one of the most important
railroads in the world. With its connec-
tions in California, this quiet man, not
yet forty.eight years old, now superintends
two thousand seven hundred and thirty
four miles of railroad and over fifty con-
Meeting steamers, besides debating the
tariffs of the China, the Australian, and
Panama lines of steamships. While other
young men, preferring present ease and
comfort to the interests of their employ
ers, wasted money and time in billiard
halls, theaters and drinking-saloons, AL
ban N. Towne was at work, building up
character as we'll as reputation, and now
fills one of the most important positions in
California; and, instead of $500 year, as
brakeman on freight train, he now
draws the comfortable salary of twenty
thousand dollars year in gold.
"Lucky man," says one. "Luck " had
but little to do with it. Modest worth
did it. Work did it. Faithfulness in the
performance of present duties, however
humble, did it. This untiring faithful
ness in the humber duties not only
attracted the notice and won the apprecia a.
ton of his superiors, but fitted him for
the higher positions which, without his
seeking, he was called to fill-Alfred L,
SeWeN, in Grains of Gold.