The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-05
Zach Crabtree's
 Strong. Point
forIglnall

ever stood at the foot of hls class at school. but his persistence was some thing wonderful. His father died when he was eighteen years old. and the support of mother and two little sis. ters deyolyed upon Zach. A friend of his father secured place for him in a steel works at $I q week, and Zach was told that if he proved faithful and efficient the second year it would be raised to $l0 and so on upward.
 The day Zach commenced work he was called into the office of the super intendent.
 "young man." sald the official. "here is note 10 the Frogmore Wrecking company. have been trying to get a reply to certain inquiries from them for a week. and thus far they have put off every messenger have sent them with indefinite replies. We have con tracted to deliver n shipload of steel by certain date. and the vessel on which 1t is loaded is sunk ten feet un- der water want the Frogmore com pany to raise her for us at once. Now, I want you to stay at their place till you get definite reply"
 "who am to get the answer fromT asked Zach.
 Whoever they tell you is the man to give it."
 "All right" said Zach.
 At the Frogmore company's office Zach delivered his note, The man who read 1t said: Leave this. l will send a reply this evening""
 "All right. I'll wait" said Zach, md be sat down on q bench.
 Whats that fellow doing thereT asked an emincntly respectable look ing gentleman two hours later. Hes been sitting there since 10 o'clock"
 The matter was explained. The gen tleman. who proved 10 be the president of the company. wrote something on piece of paper and handed 1t to Zach. It read. "'rGke ths young man to Brlnkwell ut once" and was signed by the president. The man you want to sec" he said 10 Zach. ''is out on the river experimenting a job"
 X few minutes later Zach was being rowed down the river and after a ten mile ride was put on wrecking boat.
 You can't see Brlnlcwell now. He's gone below to make an inspection"
 Zach. who didn't know what the man meant by gone below" simply pointed to the order of the president.
 You must see himy' asked the man angrlly.
 hs'; A; oncer {
 "Yes."
 "very well. If you come here with imperative orders. they must be obey ed. Go down those stairs and get on the armor."
 Zach stupldly did as he was told and was incased In a divers armor. and q slate and pencil were hung about hls neck. He thought 1t all very queer, but said nothing. Then he was taken on deck and told to go down some steps into the water He had scarcely reached the bottom step when be felt some one touch hlm and hold a slate 10 him. On the slate was written. What do you wantT" Zach wrote In response. When can you raise the PetrelY' The reply was, Get out!' Zach stood immovable After awhile some one took hold of his slate and pencil and wrote- wen raise the Petrel tomorrow. BrlnlSwell" Zach lt once climbed Ihr steps. and his lrmor was taken or
 Drop that Slatr.' said the man who had sent him down.
 I'm going to take Ir with me"
 What for?'
 Zach hcld T., up. and thc man read what waS on lt.
 He laughed and sald: You are an energetic youth. aiYi no mistake Take t along"
 lt was o'clocs in the afternoon when Zach rccnt, rcd che superintend pnis otlire. The superintendent was . very busy man and had forgotten all about Zach and bis mission.
 What do you w9nr! he asked.
 Zach held up the slate with the rromlse written on 1t The superin ,rnlcut's eyes grew very large.
 "Whu kind Of note is thisT" he asked How did you get itf'
 in a lew short sentences Zach told ,hp S,oro; of his dSing after Mir. Brink well
 Are you making up this storyr said the superintendent severely.
 Never could make up stories," said Zach. ''l tried 1t. in compositions at school: stood foot in that class"
 The superintendent sat staring first at Zach. then at the slate. Then he opened a drawer in his desk and took out two ten dollar bills and handed them to his messenger. saying: "We didn't hire you to take messages to people under water. You need extra pay for that job, Come in here to morrow morning"
 Zach took the money to his mother and told how he bad earned 1t.
 You dear stupidv she said. emDrac Ing hlm. "Such zeal wasn't expected of you"
 The Frogmore company did not raise the Petrel as promised It was sued by the steel works. and inc only evi dence against it was the message on