Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-29


The telegram, which, though innocent
In itself, was the cause OF it all, read as
follows:
go at once to Burkesville and sell
Featherly & Co.; new concern. Get ahead
OF Dinkels man.
Lyman & Jones'"
This brief message from my firm was
pregnant and significant for me, their
travelling salesman, and much as l dis
liked disarranging my plans and doub-
ling on my tracks, l decided to leave for
Burkesville at once. knew that Feath-
erly & Co., the new concern, We're rated
high and would buy literally, and my
anxiety to get ahead of my competitor,
GriSgs. who Travelled for Dinkel& Bros.
was due to the knowledge that whoever
secured the patronage of the new house
was reasonably sure to hold it.
G,iggs and l were stopping at the same
hotel in Hannibal, where, for the last
two days, we had been leading a merry
war over one of the manufacturing con-
Germs there. each trying to forestall the
other in fitting out the plant.
Placing my telegram into the inner
most depths of my pocket SO as to more
effectually conceal it's contents from the
grasping and INSCRIPTIONS Griggs, I
sauntered to the desk and paid my hotel
bill.
when does the next train go to
Burkesville?' asked.
I'm ten minutes.' replied the clerk.
you'll just have time to make it if you
rush.
grasped my satchel and prepared to
rush. by the way" I said hurriedly,
"don't let Griggs know of my DEPARTURE
MIR. Griggs left half an hour ago to
catch the same ~train,' replied the suave
clerk.
My heart fell! Then Griggs must have
had similar information and was after
the same game. 1t was annoying! All
the more reason, however, why I should
hurry.
l jumped into a cab and reached the
Station, nervous and excited.
"A ticket for Burkesville!' l cried.
The train has just left! There won't
be another till three fifteen in the MORN
ing
For a momen the ticket office. with its
red-headed vendor, swan before my
eyes, and I gasped for breath. Then I
swore a strange, horrible oath, such as
travelling men only use under great pro-
vocation.
Griggs. the INSCRIPTIONS. bargain
driving Griggs, had half a days start OF
me, and would certainly capture the
p"iZe / had set my heart on.
Give me a special train" I cried, tiny
thing to get to Burkesville ahead of the
local..
The ticket agent smiled sweetly. He
evidently thought l was daft. But I
Vas in earnest.
We'll said the agent, eff you want a
special, go and see the superintendent.
Perhaps he can accommodate you. 1t is
only a matter of price"
At that moment a young girl, a vision
OF loneliness, came to the window.
Please, sir" she said. when can l get
a train TO Burkesville?"
Not till three fifteen in the morning.
vas the agents reply.
why. l thought there was one around
mine o'clock" said the girl. TREMENDOUSLY.
there is, but it left five minutes
ago
TIL girl turned her eyes toward me.
They were wet with tears. Such eyes!
They shone like stars through paris OF
dew. My heart went out in sympathy
towards her, lher disappointment seemed
so deep.
L suppore I'll have to watt she said
simply, but her mouth twitched sadly.
Are vol anxious to reach Burkesyillt
quickly?' I asked.
Eyes, sir. I've just had a telegram
that my father met with an accident an
he is all alone. I don know what I shall
do" Here she broke into sobs and 1 LEI
her to a seat.
Don't cry. miss,"I said reassuringly. :"
too, am in a hurry to get to that town
Perhaps I can get some kline of a car t,
take u.s."
I left the young woman to her tear
and sought the superintendent. He lis
tened to my story patiently, and fnall.
replied: II can't give you a special trail
but If you don't mind riding on a loco
motive, I may be able to accommodate
you. An engine has just been ordered a
Sabina to replace one which has broker
down. We could stop at Burkesville t.
let you Off"
I stammered my thanks. The relic
was SO unexpected as to stagger me.
"You will have to hurry said the SUI
p~erintendent. 1.-THE engine leaves in tw
minutes. That's her coming up the trac
now"
I rushed into the waiting room for m,
"compagnon de voage," seized her un