The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-09-25

selected by the railroad company for its terminus
would lie the town TO get the large mills OF the
Michigan man.
It was two or three days later that Jim got his
New York. 1t babe him come 10 her after
he had secured the Transcontinental for his town
Guess I bragged TOO much about what was
doing reflected Jim with grin, 'but I've got TO get
the railroad if have 10 hold up the president for
When Messiter got the telegram in cipher from Chi
announcing departure of President Eaton for
Inverness he tossed his partner with the re-
mark: Gay outlook. isn't it,"
I should remark Lets out good and plenty,
answered Barry after he had read ii.
Messiter sat drumming with his fingers on the desk
in front of him. thoughtful frown on his distracted
He knew very well that If Inverness got hold
Of the president first it would be all up with his
chances. At all cost Eaton must be kept away from
while, and the immediate result Of his thinking was
that he with smile his face, and said easily:
"Oh, don't know. Wen see about that.
There had been heavy rains in western Washin gton
for weeks and temporary, but vicious rivers were
running all the land seeking what they could
YOUR 1t was one OF these that dtched the express.
S 1t is little strange that the track had held for
miles against heavy pressure and should finally be
swept away by a stream not six inches deep nor ten
feet wide
President Eaton felt the train slow down Then it
stopped with jar that sent him forward heavily
against the chair in front OF him. He looked out OF
the window, and the train hands gathered round
the engine. He OWNED that there had been
washout, and stroed forward extent Of the
damage. The engineer was explaining excftedly how
it had happened Il slowed down pretty slow at the
curve here KNOWN there bad place jest this side
Soon as I got round, there washout
threw the emergency brakes the ant time
stop, and we waltzed right in"
The damage very slight, but it would be i'm
possible to proceed for hours The railroad mag
nate did not with particular equanimty pros
pect of long wait in the dreary forest At this OPP
perfume moment Jim Messiter and his surrey
sight The engineer him first, and deliberately
winked at Jim.
Most harmless accident you ever saw. Mr.. Mes
sitter, suggested the conductor with grin.
Messiter was, of course, surprised to Mr. Eas-
ton, but had way to suggest Of the difficulty.
Jump into my surrey, Mr.. Easton, and I'll take you
Wilapa Bend You can look over our town and tomor-
row I'll take you across the bay to Inverness in my
launch"
The railroad president reflected that this would
him from making special trip TO Willapa Bend
He could take it in his way TO Inverness and then
he could tell Roberts that he had seen the town.
Messiter had plenty Of time TO size up his be-
fore they reached town. During the past few he
had omitted opportunity find out all he could
about the man who held the fate of WiIapa Bend in
hand. AS result of his inquiries he had learned
that Eaton quiet reserved man, who hated
above all things fuss and pompous display. He
quietly but well, and liked a good dinner as well as
most men,though ne sometimes suffered from it after
ward.
Messiter drove straight to the Office where Barry
met him and insisted their dining with him Mrs
Barry was a housekeeper among thousand. but that
day she fairly outdid herself admitted to him
self that town six months old able to furnish i'm
promptu dinner like the he eating wasn't so
far out the world after all.
After dinner Barry and Messiter took him round
to the club, and again the railroad opened his
The appointments and service in excellent
taste and the few he met altogether different
from the he had expected TO Presently he
found himself at whist with three who knew the
game well as he did himself They attended strict
~ to their game, and seemed to have forgotten
there was such railroad in existence the Trans
continental He very fond OF whist and was
genuine pleasuresto people in this droppng-on
place who knew enough to play by rule
Eanh hon
evening. OF the dozen men who knew that the presi-
dent of the Transcontinental town not one Of
them mentioned the town except incidentally, and
then not by way Of business One of them grumbed
about it to Heaton Of the Journal: Seems
losing valuable time. We ought TO talk the up
when have the chance he said.
Jim Messiter is running this show. He'll pull Us
through if anybody can. guess. All have to do is
to take our cue and play up to him"
When Eaton left with Messiter in the launch next
day he was surprised to find that he left the town with
some regret Instead Of the anticipated bore his visit
had been quite a pleasure.
The rain began about the time the launch reached
Inverness and continued in torrents for several days
Eaton and Messiter put at the hotel where
the rain kept them pretty prisoners. The cook
ing wretched. and at the end of the second day
Eaton was suffering badly from dyspepsia
About this time the mayor of Inverness a large.
ELUSIVE with bad manner, who been haunt
ing the depot for day two in a vain search for
Mr. Eaton, discovered their presence hotel.
without the knowledge Of the railroad president he
ordained for him a public reception. The railroad
dragged of to meet few friends.
hours later found himself still Imply shaking hands
with expected to meet again and listen
ing inane banalities
The mayor of Inverness believed he was making an
impression. He certainly made close of the
reception, when he attempted a confidential whisper
and heavily on Eaton's equity Messiter in
a corner. smiled blandly and repeated to himself
softly, Hes digging a grave-he's digging a grave
and think Inverness is going to be the corpse"
AS President Eaton after wretched nights rest
looked the hotel window at the rain still stream
ing down. contrasted the pleasure he had had at
Willapa Bend with the dismalness of Inverness and
the thoroughly dsagreeshe experience the place had
given him. felt he could stand the place an
other hour Suddenly he turned to Messiter and
nounced intention of leaving that morning Chi
cago The young asked when he might expect to
hear what the decision of the company regard
1 the terminus.
You can now" answered the president abrupt
H. Then he asked quickly How about bridge
I across the WiIlapapa, if in from the north
viii you guarantee raise the money from the town?'
Yes. sr-if pay every cent myself
You will give right of way into your town,
and plenty Of for yards and shops?" he asked
! sharply
"Al the room you want
! And a good site for ocean wharf?"
1 wherever You want it."
! Then Mr.. Messiter the terminus Of the Transcon-
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