Evening star., 1901-08-10

duty would outweigh nearly twenty-five
years of faithful service never entered
Dingley's head. Besides he knew and
Hinchman did not. So it was bewilderng
shock when he found in his mail, on re-
turning from the next run, this brief note:
May II, 19-.
Mr. Samuel Dingley. Excursion Con-
Dear Sir: Circumstances over which 1
have no control compel me to ask for your
resignation, taking effect June 10. This
will give you an opportunity to look round
meantime. l have no objection to your
putting in your time while in Boston this
trip endeavoring to secure another posi-
tion. Yours very truly,
I'D. " HINCHMAN. Manager"
But Dingley did not put in his time
looking round" Not that he had any in
tention Of protesting against his enforced
resignation. He accepted the request as he
connection with the system. He wrote
formal resignation with a hand steadied
only by a strong will, and laid 1t on Hinch-
mans desk when the latter was out The
them. In fact, Dingley seemed suddenly
to have surrounded himself with dignified
reserve beside which Hinchman's assump-
tion OF superiority was grotesque
Only man who has worked loyalty al
most lovingly. for one concern through
nearly twenty-five years can understand
what Dingley suffered during the last
transcontinental trip. At Los Angeles the
his resignation with unqualified disgust
The three days Of his stay were made mem
orable in local railroad annals by a round
OF dinners, suppers and theater-going that
gave Dingley indigestion, but did not ease
to any appreciable extent, the sore spot
In close proximity to the seat Of the In
digestion.
The train conductors on each division
indulged in profanely friendly farewells
The dningrcar men and eating-house pro-
DrletOrS
with protestations equally friendly and pro-
fame. And under and above it all, the
steady clank-clank of the wheels seemed
to sing in minor key: TITS the last time
time"
Life seemed to hold nothing for him be-
yond that day when he should lay aside
his blue uniform and leave the system
with which he had been Identified so long.
When he turned in his final reports at the
Boston office he was spared the morti-
hcation OF meeting his successor. a spruce
young fellow from the NJ R. and N. head
quarters. And Dingley left the office with
his usual quiet and low-voiced, so long,
boys, see you later"
But that night, In his own room, he drew
from his watch chain the charm he had
worn for ten years, the first piece of ex-
penstye jewelry he had ever purchased
1t was the R. P. trademark in tricolored
enamel surrounded by tiny diamonds, and
the heavy gold back was engraved with
his initials. For minute he held the trifie
In his hand, then reverently, with the
look In his eyes which women wear when
they lay away the tiny shoes Of a dead
Child. he laid the charm In its leather case
He was no longer a part Of the R. P road,
and he had no right to wear its insignia
Inc next morning Mrs. Dingley sent for
q physician. who pronounced the trouble
nervous prostration and ordered perfect
| rest. Dingley smiled grimly. Yes, he had
nothing else to do now but rest Hour
after hour he lay passive, yielding to his
wife's tender ministrations. But when the
day arrived for his train to pull out for
I the west he grew strangely restless-and
his wife understood. For the first time
since the excursions had been inaugurated
Sam Dingley was not in charge of his run.
| And he turned his face to the wall, MUIR
| muring:
'T could have stood It better, Jennie, ]
believe, II 1t had come at any other time,
but next month I'd been twenty-five years
with the r. p. In one capacity or another,
Jennie. to stick to one line. I'd like to
have rounded 1t cut, dear. ! set such store
by It."
| Two days later Hinchman sat at his
| desk with an anxious look on his round
| well-groomed face. The hand which held
| q typewriter letter from the NJ. r. and N
headquarters twitched nervously at times
| The communication read az follows:
"Subject-Dingley resignation.
| CHICAGO. June 10. 1s-.
| "Mr. D. v. Hinchman, Excursion Man
| ager, Golden Gate System, Boston, Mass.
Dear Sir-Referring to your communi-
cation Of May 10. In response to which w
| sent you one OF our most promising young
men. Mr. Byers, to take the place Of
some grave mistake occurred. In this com.
y nGunication you state that Mr.. Dfng1eysl