The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1902-05-01
THEIR LAST
M E E IN G
BY Cy Warman
COPYRIGHT, 1900, by Cy Warman

6>oee~0<De0s-0o eesos0~0e 0
Every morning for month or more
the man had come to the gate in the
outer office and asked to see the gener-
al manager Every morning the Office
boy had given him blank form to I'LL
out.
"Mr. A."
"Wishes to see-Mr. B."
Business private"
AS often as the boy went In with the
slip of paper he came back with the
answer, "The general manager is too
busy to see you."
In time the employees learned to look
not at the clock for the hour of 10, but
fence. When he had come and gone
thirty-seven times. leaving thirty-sev-
en- neatly filled requests behind him.
the manager instructed the boy.
"Mr. A." said the boy and closed the
door of the private office, leaving the
two men alone. The general manager
was embarrassed. Instead of a long
haired. hollow eyed crank, with soiled
linen covering his conceived chest, bis
caller was a well dressed. intelligent
looking gentleman.
Delighted, delighted, Mr.. B." said
the stranger, advancing with out
stretched hand. $50 good of you to see
me! Yes. did call the other-yes. yes,
know how busy you are! Just so. just
so! Ah-hr'
The men shook hands hurriedly, ey-
ing each other precisely as pair Of
prizefighters enter the ring.
The manager noticed for the first
time peculiar look in the mans eyes.
"Sit down." said the stranger. and the
railway man sank back init his swing
ing chair. 81 shan't take much of your
time-this time" said the visitor. hook
ing one leg over the corner of the table
and sagging into comfortable pose
The manager felt fidgety under the
strangers inquisitive. soul searching
eyes.
1--WE got good thing" said the man,
keeping his eyes upon the managers
conscience.
81 was afraid of that" said the man
ager half playfully. but the man did
not smile.
"You have some heavy grades on
your line"
EYES," assented the manager.
"You have doubtless observed that it
is almost Invariably upon a mountain
that the air plays out. Just when they
are needed most is when the brakes
you?'
"Yes."
"Well, I've spent sleepless nights
working out system that will always
work and save millions of money now
lost In wrecked rolling stock and thou
sands of useful lives"
"What is your scheme? My time is
limited"
"First of all. you shall build for me
mammoth windmill on the banks of
the Missouri. The ceaseless winds that
come crying across Colorado and Kan
sas will push the paddles in the big
wheel. which. revolving. will drive a
great pump that will force air through
a small pipe to be laid along the line
under the ties. Beneath each water
tank upon the mountain side we shall
build an air tank so that while the
fireman takes water the brakeman can
take air. filling the air drum with good
valley air. and then there will be no
trouble. 1t is because the mountain air
Is too light to hold that the trains get
away on the hills. Knowing this. the
blood of innocent men. women and
children will be upon your head if you
fail to protect the lives of your pa
trons."
'I'll see you again about this said
the manager, putting on his hat and
leading the way out through a private
door. All the way out the man kept
close to the manager. The elevator
dropped them to the ground floor The