The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1897-07-09
ga good one, 2 bic elaughter replied.

"A good one, his daughter replied.
OF the interview which took place In
side 218 l can speak only at secon<
hand and the world knows about q
well as I how the contest was compro
missed by the X. and A. being turned
over to the Missouri Western, the terri
tory in southern California being di
vided between the California Contra
ana the Great Southern, and traffic
arrangement agreed upon that satisfied
the u. s. The next day Missouri West
ern board for the K and A. was elected
without opposition, and they in turn
elected Mr.. Cullen president of the X.
ana A., SO when my report of the hold
ing up went in he had the pleasure Of
reading 1t. / closed it with request
Tor instructions. but I never received
any, and that ended the matter. I turn
ed over the letters to the special agent
at Flagstaff, and I suppose his report is
slumbering in some pigeonhole in Wash
ington, for should have known of any
attempt to bring the culprits to punish
ment. Mr.. Cullen had taken big risk,
but came out of it with great lot of
money, for the Missouri Western bought
all his holdings in the X. and A. and
o. o. But the scare must have taught
him lesson, for ever since then he's
been conservative and talks about the
foolishness of investors who try to get
more than 3 per cent or who think Of
anything but good railroad bonds.
AS for myself, month after these
occurrences was appointed superintend-
ent OF the Missouri Western, which by
this deal had become one Of the largest
railroad systems in the world. 1t was a
big step up for so young man and was
OF course pure favoritism, due to Mr..
Cullen's influence. I didn't stay in the
position long, for within two years I
was offered the presidency of the Chi
cago and st. Paul, and think that was
won on merit. Whether or not, I hold
the position still and have made my
road earn and pay dividends right
through the panic.
All this is getting away ahead of
events, however. The election delayed us
so that we couldn't couple on to No. A
that afternoon, and consequently we
had to lie that night at Ash Forks. I
made the officers my excuse for keeping
away from the Cullens, as I wished to
avoid Madge. I did my best to be good
company to the bluecoats and had a
first class dinner for them on my car,
but I was in pretty glum mood, which
even champagne couldn't modify.
Though all necessity Of a guard ceased
with the compromise, the cavalry re-
manned till the next morning, and, aft
er giving them a good breakfast, about
6 o'clock we shook hands, the bugle
sounded, and off they rode. For the first
time I understood how a fellow disap-
pointed in love comes to enlist.
When I turned about to go into my
Car, I found Madge standing on the
platform of 218 waving handkerchief
paid no attention to her and started
up my steps.
''Mr. Gordon" she said-and when
I looked at her saw that she was flush
ing-"what is the matter?'
I suppose most fellows would have
found some excuse, but for the life of
me I couldn't, All was able to say
was:
81 would rather not say, Miss Gull
len."
"How unfair you arep' she cried.
"You-without the slightest reason
you suddenly go out of your way to ill
treat, insult me, and yet will not tell me
the cause. "
That made me angry. "Cause?" I
cried. GAS if you didn't know of
cause. What you don't know is that I
overheard your conversation with Lord
Rallies night before last"
'My conversation with Lord Ralles?"
exclaimed Madge in a bewildered way.
eyes" I said bitterly, keep up the
acting. The practice is good, even if it
deceives no one.
IT don't understand word you are
saying" said she, getting angry in turn.
"You speak as if had done wrong, as
if don't know what-and L have
right to know to what you allude. F"
"I don't see how 1 can be any clear
err" I said ct was under the station
platform, hiding from the cowboys,