The San Francisco call., 1903-09-27

6@SI for a month. and was
up with ny conductor on the carpet,
sweating from sheer grogginess and ex-
citement. The sob OF front-end brake
man On mountain division is no great
stake for a man ordinarily. but 1t was
one for me Just then. We knew when
We went into the suDerintendents Office
that somebody was TO get fired; the only
question was who-the train crew or the
operator? Our engine crew were out Of
IL; II was up to the conductor and TO me.
Had the operator displayed red signals?
The conductor said no. 7 said no. the oper-
ator said yes. but he lied. We couldn't
prove it. we could only put our word
against his: and. what made It the worse
for me. my conductor was something of
liar himself.
I stood beading in a cold sweat, for
could see with half an eye It was going
against US. The superintendent, an up
and up railroad man every inch and all
business. but suspicious. was leaning the
operators way the strongest kind.
There wasn't another soul in the little
room as the three Of US stood before the
Fuperintendent's desk except a passenger
conductor, who sat behind me with his
feet on the window ledge, looking out into
the yard
"Morrison's record IN this Office is
clean" the superintendent was saying OF
the operator. who was doing US smooth
smokeless powder. He has never to my
knowledge lied in an investigation. But,
Allbers." continued the superintendent,
speaking bluntly TO my conductor. you've
never told a straight story about that
Rat River switch matter yet. This man
L
look at me. Ordinarily I'd be inclined to
take the word Of two men against one,
but I don't know one at all and the other
has done me once. can't see anything
for Il but 10 take Morrison's word and let
you fellows both out There wasn't any
wreck. but that's not your fault-not for
g minute"
"1fr. Rocksby," protested, speaking up
70 the division boss in a clean funk-the
prospect Of losing my job that way,
through a lying operator. took the heart
clean out OF re-'you don't know me, it
IS true. but 1 pledge you my word Of
honor"
what's your word Of honor?" asked the
superintendent. cutting into me like a
hatchet. Il don't know any more about
YOUR word OF honor than ! DO about you"
What could I say? There were men who
did know me. but they were a long cry
from the Rocky Mountains and the head
quarters OF the mountain division. 1
glanced about me from his face. gray as
sllzaN. 10 AlIbers, shutting on the carpet,
and TO Morrison, as steady as a success
ful liar. taking my Job and my reputa-
ton at one swallow, and to the passenger
conductor with the glossy black whiskers;
but he was looking out the window.
what DO ! know about your word Of
honor2" repeated Rocksby sharply. ALI
hers take your man and get your time"
A wave OF helpless rage swept over me.
The only thing 1 could think Of was
strangling the lying operator in the hall.
Then somebody spoke. Show your pa
pers. YOU damn fool"
It came calm as sunshine and cold as
northwester from the passenger conduc-
tor behind me, from Dave Hawk, and It
pulled me into line like a bugle call
felt my English ell back at once. Every
body heard him and looked my way;
again Il was up TO me. This time / was
ready for the superintendent. or, for that
matter, for the blooming mountain divis-
ion. I had forgot all about my papers
Til Dave Hawk spoke. 1 put my hand,
Ehaklngs INTO my INSIDE vest POCKET Tor
a piece OF oilskin-it was all had left;
was q good way from my base that
year. I laid the oilskin on the superin-
tendents table, unfolded It 5ealously and
took out a medal and letter that, in
spite Of the carefulest wrapping. was
creased and sweated- But the letter was
from my captain. and the bit OF bronze
was the Cross. Rocksby picked up the let
ter and read It
Have you been IN the British armyr'
he asked curtly.
"Yes, sir"
He scowled a minute over Pincon's
Ecrswl. laid II down and gratiied his curl
osity by picking up the medal. He stud
fed the face Of the token, looked curious
ly ct the dingy ribbon, twirled It, saw