The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-03
Our Daily $bcrt Story

huctuatfng uneasily. Zero weather would have been infinitely preferable Tor then the ventilators could have re- mained closed and the fruit would generate enough heat of its own. That night and the next day Della did not trust herself to sit down once, for fear she might get drowsy or momentarily relax her vigilance. Too much depend ed upon obtaining the very best re- suits just now.
 She was careful to keep herself out of sight as much as possible, and this she was able to do the more readily on account of the fruit train making few stops. At Memphis 20's cars were switched off to conenct with train ed to train which had just pulled in from Galveston, her engine returning to New Orleans with 8 lot of empty cars.
 A few hours later, at watering stop, the new conductor caught sight of her as he was hurrying along the train. She was just sliding the door, but too late.
 Hello" he cried. pausing abruptly; "a woman-tramp.e
 Della slid back the door.
 'No, sir" she answered. quietly, holding up the papers she had taken from Ben; T am in charge of this sec. tion. I haven't had good chance to speak with you before"
 The conductor gave a long whistle. which ended in an apolosetic cough. But his face heightened visibly.
 "A woman in charge of fruit sec- tionw he calculated. What's the com pany thinking off Next we know girls will be put in as conductors and brake men and engineers. Well. well! But I HAn IAx x.ata TAIl need me down yonder." and he hurried away, still choking resentfully.
 Seven days later Della entered the company's office at New Orleans. Tue manager himself happened to be in, and he seemed to recognize her by the familiar looking papers she carried in her hand. He came forward quickly. But at that moment figure which had been lounging about the street door--a white, anxious faced man. who had been peering into the office most of the time for the last eight days also saw her, and rushed in. She turn ed to him first.
 How are you. Ben?" she asked, eag- erly; 'a1l right?"
 "Ycs, yes; but you? What have you been up to, grille? The office has been full of talk
 The manager was beside them now. "Is this Miss Delia?" he inquired. Yes, sir. Here are the receipts your 1 commission agents gave me. They said the fruit was in prime condition The manager took the papers and glanced them over hurriedly.
 "Yes, yes; they're all right" he said "But we knew that before. Our agents wired us. They said the fruit was in l the very best condition--as good as 1 they had ever received. I-I hardly ! know what to do about this. It's a most untoward thing, and should re- ceive you severest censure, our most unyieIding disapproval. And yet you did as we'll as our very best messen- I ger--better. almost. suppose we shall have to pass 1t over. But such thing must never occur again. No"--as hei gaze went inquiringly toward Ben i've have not discharged him; only
 suspended him for investigation. He may go on the next trip. And you well, 1t was a most untoward thing
 but I suppose yon did the best yot | could under such short notice. 'Yol
 may stop at the cashiers window fol
 your money, and-yes. there's little
 recognition for you there also. Yot saved us from a possible great loss But. remember. the recognition is ae' l companied by our most severe cen | sure" ,