Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1904-06-24
later her own bell rang, and thsn IN.

later her own bell rang, and then the
car began to move forward.
She had never been on train before
never been out of New Orleans; but
for all that she understood her duties
as well as though she had regular
run. Her father had been messen-
ger, and her brother was one, and Ben
had many times told her the details Of
his trip. All her life the home con-
versation had been of messengers and
their work and ambitions. She must
manipulate the ventilators Of her 20
cars so as to have the heat just right
to bring the bananas to prime mar
ketable condition when she reached
her destination. A few degrees too
much either way might mean the loss
Of great many thousand dollars to
the company.
1t was a nasty trip, as 20 had pre-
dicted. When they started, the outside
thermometers were down to 81 de-
grees; six hours later they had risen
to 70 degrees, and the next morning
they were back to 81 degrees, and fall .
ing. 1t meant constant shifting Of
the ventilators, with an impossibility
of keeping the car thermometers from
fluctuating uneasily. Zero weather
would have been infinitely preferable
for then the ventilators could have re-
manned closed and the fruit would gen
crate enough heat of Its own. That
night and the next day Della did not
trust herself to sit down once, for fea:
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 connect with train
west, and her own section was at
tached to a train which had just
pulled in from Galveston, her engine
returning to New Orleans with a 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."
Della slid back the door.
No, sir" she answered, quietly
holding up the papers she had taken
from Ben; II am in charge of this geo.
ton, | haven't had good chance to
speak with you before"
The conductor gave long whistle
which ended in an apologize cough
But his face heightened visitly.
"A woman in charge of fruit SEQ
toni" he calculated. Whats the com.
pany thinking of? Next we know
girls will be put in as conductors and
brakemen and engineers. Well, we'll!
But beg your pardon, miss. Hello!
They need me down yonder," and he
hurried away, still choking resent.
fully.
Seven days later Della entered the
companys Office at New Orleans. The
manager himself happened to be in
and he seemed to recognize her by thu
familiar looking papers she carried in
her hand. He came forward quickly
But at that moment figure which hal
been lounging about the street door
white, anxious-faced man, who hat
been peering into the Office most of Tho
time for the last eight days-also saw
her, and rushed in. She turned to hin
first.
How are you, Benz" she asked, Gag.
erly; "all right?"
Eyes, yes; but you? What have yoy
been up to, grille? The Office has beer
full of talk"
The manager was beside them now
"'Is this Miss Delia?" he inquired.
Eyes, sir. Here are the receipts your
commission agents gave me. They sale
the fruit was in prime condition"
The manager took the Papers an(
glanced them over hurriedly.
Eyes, yes; they're all right" HI
said But we knew that before. Oul
agents wired us. They said the frui
was in the very best co,.dition-a'
good as they had ever received. l.
hardly know what to do chout this
It's most untoward thing, and SHOULD
receive our severest censure, our mos
unyielding disapproval. And yet yol
did as well as our very best messen
ger-better, almost. | suppose W,
shall have to pass it over. But such
thing must never occur again. No.
as her gaze went inquiringly towart
Ben-"we have not discharged him
only suspended him for investigation
He may go on the aext trip. And yol
well, it was most untoward thing
but suppose you did the best yo,
could under such short notice. Yol
may Stop at the cashiers window TO
your money, and--yes, there's littl
recognition for you there also. Yol
saved us from a possible great loss
But, remember. the recognition is &C
companied by our most severe cen
sure