Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-07-15
BOB vINvARp ABROAD.
Z. Durango soy o1 ri.s way To the Horth
PoIe-Surmounss All Obstacles on
the Journey East
LONDON. England. June "a.


asking me to meet him in Edna, Kan.
on Saturday. | reached Edna Sun
day morning at $3.50 after several mis-
haps.
| intended going via Denver. plan
ming to leave there on the Missouri
Pacific at $3.50, but was unable to get
to Denver in time to catch that train.
so | got off at Pueblo 1--WE arrived there
at p. m. Friday and caught the train
out of there at T. Our first delay was
near Osier. where rear end freight
train collision delayed us until a. M
We had breakfast in Alamosa, and
were laid out again on Veta Pass
where another freight wreck delayed
us and a transfer was necessary. BY
good luck, Mr.. j. A. Trowbridge, the
Missouri Pacific travelling passenger
agent, was on the train. and upon my
explaining the difficulty was in about
my ticket, as / could not possibly get
into Denver in time to make connec-
lions, and could not possibly wait an.
other day, he kindly wired ahead and
had arrangements made to get me out
of Pueblo. At Genesee. Kansas. they
transferred me to a line getting me
into Wichita at 10 a. m. Saturday,
with no possibility of getting to Ed
ma until 10 the next morning. Learn
ing that Baldwin was leaving for New
York, l wired of the delay, fixing Sun
day at 10 a. m. as a meeting date. To
get me there even then 1 would have
to go via Nevada. Mo-, (just to show
I l,,t
that by taking later train, changing
at Yates Center, could get to Edna
half hour sooner tried his route.
and it landed me in Coffeyville Kan,
10 miles from Edna. at O'Clock Sun
day morning. 1t being Sunday, the
usual accommodation train did not
run, and the regular was due at in
the evening. So was Is miles from
my date. with no train. rented
wheel after breakfast. left my baggage
in the depot and at O'Clock started
for Edna. intending to return for my
baggage and take the evening train
over the same route, but keeping my
date for an interview. had already
been three days and nights en- route
and delayed by two wrecks, having
slept but little. The road was good.
the wheel daisy and though tired
and sleepy. I pushed the wheel for all
there was in me. reaching Edna.
wringing with sweat. at $50 a. m.
| was not definitely engaged for the
expedition. and faced Mr.. Baldwin
with some trepidation. He was sur
prised to see me. complimented me on
the ride | had made. asking me num-
ber of questions, winding up with de-
mand for references. References!
had nothing Even my baggage was
lying at Coffeyville and I was look
ing thoroughly dirty and disreputable.
I explained that had filed out and
sent him regular application blank,
but had made no effort to secure ref
erences.
you see, Rob-" he said 81 have re-
allv not counted on you at all. You
We're so far away and my previous
knowledge of you was not of a nature
to incline me to think you would really
take the risk I have not seriously
considered your application. I did
not expect you would meet me here
as far as I know you are telling me
the truth and all that. but it has been
fitifen years since I knew you. and
fifteen years may change everything"
Have you nothing in the way Of
letters in your pocket?"
Blankly l commenced to search,
and only hoped again, when l came
across letter from Mr. C. T. Carpen-
ter. my old Sunday school teacher in
Coffeyville. For fifteen years we had
corresponded through the various ups
he had been kept well posted about
me.
Mr.. Baldwin, you remember Char
ley Carpenter" ] said.
The name was the open sesame.
None of the men who were influenced
Fby Carpenter in their younger days.
whatever their after life may have
been. but look back with kind men,
ory for the time, and earnest regard
for the man.
Certainly" was the immediate re-
ply. Why"
Here is just a friendly letter from
him. said. Nothing in the way of
a reference. really. but showing of
his knowledge of me and that he has
kept track of me-"
He took the letter. his face clearing
as he read. When he had concluded
he said;
Il will take this as sufficient refer
ence. Rob. as to the truth of your
statements and as satisfactory Gre
dental. There are other things
want to know, though"
Are you prepared to endure hard
ships without whimper? Obey or
ders without asking questions? Work
hard without complaining? And IL
the time comes that we must take des-
perate risks. to choose to take them?
Are you prepared to bend every ener
gy. sacrifice everything for two years
in an effort to reach the north pole? :?
If you disagree with any member OF
the expedition to swallow 1t? There
tN.