The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1885-06-05
CHAPTER ".

the wire, as Sadie Woodbury. listen
ed intently, with her ear bent close TO
the relay.
o. X" was the answer, as the
young girl turned to the individual
standing near, underneath the con-
ductor's cap.
"Mlke," said she, "No. 2 is dis
abled up at BardwelPs Cut. They
want your engine to go up and help
them through"
Get US orders then from head
quarters" was the reply" I wouldn't
go step without orders. If it was
my own brother freezin' to death up
there"
"But the line is open south of us,
and l can't get them" persisted the
girl. Perhaps [ can get them from
the conductor of No. o.
'de's no right to give me ORDERS"
objected Mile.
"Cert ,inly he has," answered
Sadie; "wLen it is impossible to get
the main Office, the conductor of the
mail or cypress train can give orders
to freight to come along"
"That's not in my catechism," re-
piled the newlyfedged official. 81
don't take no orders from any but
the main office"
"All right" replied the girl, and
added to herself, ''there's more than
one way to manage you,:'
Just then came the feeble call
"V-V-V" again. Sadie an
swered promptly, and in another
minute had an order from the CON
dactor for the engine Of the mixed
train to run to BardwelPs Cut and
help train No 2.
"Here's Browns order" she said
to Mike. "Will you sign it?"
''No. 1 shan't sign no orders from
Brown, nor take none either" was
the pompols reply.
"Very we'll, replied the girl quiet
ly. "Pll get one from the main
Office for you.
mike" was satisfied with this ac-
commodating spirit on the part of the
operator, and went out by the big stove,
feeling that he had maintained the
dignity of his Office under trying
circumstances. But Sadie Woodbu-
ry proceeded to repeat the message
to the conductor, signing Mikes name
IN fu; to it, and took the 90. Il. ;"
which made the understanding good.
cit may be wrong and deceitful,"
she thought. ''but when a man is an
obstinate pig, there's no use in arguing
with him."
Then she took one Of the blanks
provided by the railroad company
and made out regular order from
the train dispatcher, and carried it
out to the redoubtable Mike.
"Will you sign this?" she said,
showing him the order.
He took it. and with some difficulty
read the order.
"Of course l will," he answered
when he was satisfied that everything
was in strict accordance with the
letter of the law-so far as he knew
it.
"Now, that's something like" al d
he proceeded to put his name in the
wrong corner of the blank.
"Here," said the girl, laughing IN
her sleeve. you've got the wrong
corner. Put your name over there
and get the engineer to put his direct
Iy under. There that's better, Never
signed one before, did your" she add
ed, maliciously.
Mike pretended not to hear, but
went out and got the signature of the
engineer, and in few minutes more
the engine of the mixed train started
for Bardweli's Cut.
Il presume Mackay will not approve
of what did when he comes to hear
Of it, if he ever does" Sadie said to
herself, referring to the train Dispatch
er for the road. "But what is the use
of disputing with a thick headed
Irishman, when you can much easier
out sit him by the use of your COM
mon sense?"
She bent over the instrument again.
Again came her call, feebly. unevenly;
and again she responded.
Anything for us2" was the inquiry.
''We're most frozen up here. Send
help for heavens sake, quick"
1.-The engine and three men have
just gone," was her answer "Win
be there soon."