The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1905-06-25

think, put all three of them in line. Mr.
Elwood. please find the letter from Old
Jasper"
The young man addressed. an amused
smile lurking around his mouth, called
the requisite file number, then from the
box-like receptacle extracted a sheet Of
note paper. Extending 1t to Lawrence.
Mr.. Blank said dryly. Read it." Obey
ing. Lawrence read aloud the following
epistle:
RED Canyon, July 2S..-
'Mr. John Maryland, M. NJ, High Line
Division, Uintah:
Dear Sir-If there Is a man in the
United States up against harder COM
bination than yours truly. I'll pay first
class fare to it's farthest limits to see
him. 1t was bad enough when we had
only the main line to contend with, but
since the Huron and Black Mountain
branches have been opened It's got be-
yond me- The oldtimers are about all
killed off. I have been able for the last
three years to get nothing better than
raw Swede firemen. and to promote those
wooden shoes is a responsibility / do not
care to assume, but OF the men you send
me not one in twenty lasts as long as
would a SNOWFALL in Salton Desert. Yes
terday big bull-necked individual
whom only the day before I'd sent out
to. learn the road walked INTO my office
anu says, Jasper, I've uO NcIOicS-
ton of. at any time, or in any way.
bucking into your game. So I'm at a
loss TO understand why you sent me out
to. learn that Huron branch. That we
got back alive / regard as special act
CT Providence. II your idea-o a loco
motive engineer is that he be a cross be-
tween an aeronaut and a welldigser I
can never fill the BILL
$50 1 gave him a pass to Denver. He
had rColu cot Of he hafara
another entered. He was a grave, quiet
old fellow of whose sticking had strong
hopes In answer to my inquiry he an
swered in a shamefaced MANNER Mr..
Jasper, my papers show that dropped a
crown sheet on the Illinois Central two
years ago. You people were kind enough
to overlook it and yesterday when
went out learning the road, IL was the
first money I've earned since. Now I
want you to know that / appreciate what
you people and you yourself have done for
my wife and babies. but If ! shall be
obliged to lamp ties for doing it I'll have
to leave here So he. too, dead-headed to
Denver
This morning three trains laid in the
yards for want of an engineer to handle
them. I've got to that state that l read
no messages from the transportation de-
partment-simply throw them into the
waste basket. A man is in bad shape
when he can anticipate his correspond
ence. However. to take the matter up Sc
riously, something must be done, and
quickly. Can you not get some young,
ambitious men TO man our engines? Men
who will recognize what 1t means to be
able to fill the bill on the worst grades in
the world. 1t seems to me there must be a
little of the old blood left in our country
If 1 might suggest, raise the pay to S
cents per mile. then put a man to work
on the extra lists of the great railway
centers; pick the best and send them to
me. If the present conditions continue
and We have early winter God help
the women and children on. those bleak
mountain tops. Very truly,
u. W. JASPER"
ITS got the right ring" commented
Lawrence as he refoided the paper M
Yes" said Mr.. Blank. "aetoll of long,
dreary nights and shiyering souls. These
camps are entirely dependent upon US for
fuel. and they are not quarter supplied.
Send for your man Brady Wire him to
apply fo the North Western for trans
portation end come at once"
Here GRAY asked timidly, IF Brady
comes can it be arranged that 1 fire for
him?''
Yes answered Mr.. Blank. "and.
young man. keep your eyes open. I'll
write Mr.. Jasper about you, and as soon