The daily morning Alaskan., 1902-03-15
Zach Crabtree's
 Strong Point
foriginaLl

i high degree, may lead 10 tortune' Zach Crabtree was as stupid boy as 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 tcrs devolved upon Zach. A friend Of his father secured place for him In a steel works at S7 week. and Zach was told that if he proved faithful and efficient the second year 1t would be raised to $l0 and SO on upward. The day Zach commenced work he was called into the office of the super | lntendent.
 Young man." said the official. "here Is a note to the Frogmore Wrecking company. I have been trying to get reply to certain inquiries from them for week. and thus far they have put off every messenger have sent them with indefinite replies. We have con tracted to deliver q shlplOad of steel by certain date. and the vessel on | der water. want the Frogmore com pany to raise her for us at once. Now, l want you to stay at their place till you get a definite reply"
 "Who am to get the answer from" asked Zach.
 Whoever they tell you is the man to give It."
 Al 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 walt" said Zach. and he sat down on bench.
 What's that fellow doing thcre" asked an eminently respectable look ing gentleman two hours later. Hes been sitting there since 10 o'clock"
 The matter was explained. The gen. tleman. who proved to be the president or the company. wrote something on q piece of paper and handed It to Zach. lt read. Take this young man 10 Briukwcll at once." and was signed by thc president "Thc man you want to see" he sail to Zach. "is out on the river supcrutcnding a job"
 \ few minutes later Zach was being rowod down the river and after len milc ride was put on a wrecklng boat.
 You cant see Brlnkwell now. He's gone below 10 make an Inspection
 Zach. who didn't know what the uan meant by gone below" simply rointed to the order of the president.
 You must see hlmf" asked the man 1ugrily
 "YCs."
 "At onccT
 "YcSr
 "vcry well If you come here with mp,raiivv orders. they must be ohey d Go down those stairs and gc, on uc amor"
 Zach s;upllly did as he was told and Nas ucascl u divers armor, and a .lat, and pencil were hung about his p,cs He thought lt an very queer lu, said nothing Then he was taken dCck and told Co go down some steps Into thc water He had scarcely cached thc bottom step when be felt some one touch hlm and hold a slate hlm. On the slate was written. What do you waut;' Zach wrote !n response. When can you raise the pctrel?" The reply was, "Gct out!' Zach stood immovable. After awhile some one took hold of his slate and pencil and wrote; wen raise the Pctrcl tomorrow. Brnkwell" Zach lt once climbed the steps, and his lrmor was taken or.
 Drop that slate." said the man who had sent him down.
 "I'm going to take 1t with me"
 What forY
 Zach held lt up. and the man read what was on lt
 He laughed and said; You are an energetic youth, and no mistake. Take it along"
 It was . o'clock in the afternoon when Zach re-entered the superintend. cnts office. The superintendent was a very busy man and had forgotten all about Zach and his mission
 What do you wanti" hc asked.
 Zach held up the slate with the promise written on it The superin tendents eyes grew very large.
 What kind of note is thisi" he asked How did you get it;" lu a few short sentences Zach told the story Of bis diving after Mr. Brink well.
 Are you making up this storyr said the superintendent severely.
 Never could make up stories" said Zach. "l tried it in compositions at school; stood foot in that class"
 The superintendent sat staring first at Zach. then at the slate Then he opened drawer In his desk and took out two ten dollar bills and handed them to bis messenger. saying; "We didn't hire you 10 take messages to people under water. You need extra pay for that job. Come in here to morrow morning"
 Zach took the money to hlJ mother md told how he had earned lt.
 You dear stupid" she said. embrac. Ing him. Such zeal wasn't expected Of you"
 The Frogmore company did not raise the Petrel as promised 1t was sued I | A. an ,nrr ..tst