The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-17

never pay. And, putting aside consid- erations of Sweeny, arbitrarily to dis~ charge such a man as he now Knew Sam Bennett to be was out of the ques- tion: there could be no doubt on this subject in the mind of man who made his own way from the top of a caboose to the inside of the Mau- villa. Yet in order to grant simple justice to these two persons, he (The- odore vail) was compelled to break promise. He was convinced that the misapprehension under which the prom ise had been given, justified him in breaking 1t. He felt that he had acted rightly, and knew that under. the same circumstances he would so act again: but it was fear of an interview with the recipient of that promise, not the upbraidings of his conscience, that kept Theodore Vail awake. He believed him self when he told himself thaesthis in- terview was shunless. He could go through Bennettville at the speed | ascribed to the men who "stay in New York most of the time and bet on stocks" He could speak few words at home, and no beardless man over | forty years of age would henceforth be l allowed to enter his front door. He could, say a few words to George Rou- velie, and the principal citizen of Ben nettville would find Theodore Wall tout" l of his office until the seventh trumpet | sounded -somctime--somhewere l he and his seeker would stand face to ] face and he would be asked the worth l of his solemn word. He did not att | tempt to deceive himself by dwelling up- 1 on the fact that he would have been | proud to have seen his son in Sam Ben | netts place.
 The General Manager knew that his | appointment of an Assistant Engineer l would be the sealing of the fountain of hope to the man who had said: He's my boy, and I want him! I want him | where I can see him every night and every day" MT. Vail understood those words now. He had two boys who l were not yet too large-thank Heaven! ito sit on his lap, and make him tell them stories. But they would be some day. And, when that day came. it might be that he could not go to them, and that they would not come to him. It might be. Would 1t not be just? No! thousand times! What he had done he had been compelled to do and could not undo: like all kings who rule. he was ruled by his kingdoms needs. Still. from the black background of the winter nights sky which he saw through the window be- side his pillow. an old mans face looked reproachfully. He could not, and he would not, meet that man in the flesh. He rose, dressed, and went to the rear apartment of the car. Seating himself. he took pen and b0Gan to write:
 He wrote;
 "Ralston. Ala. 1-IS-. Dear MT. Bennett--It gives me great pleasure to write you that Sam has today been appointed Assistant En- gineer of this Company"
 He thought: That's a lie"
 He wrote: The position is a good one, and one seldom held by so young a man as Sam. I would be delighted. if could know that my boys would be doing half as well when they attain Sams age"
 He thought; Hell think that's a lie"
 He wrote: As a native of my native town, am proud of Sam.1
 He thought: Hell consider that blarney."
 He wrote: He has a career before him, and I am satisfied that the two letters for which you paid a thousand dollars apiece, will prove the best fn- vestment you have ever made"
 He thought: If I had asked what those two letters were I would not be in this predicament."
 He wrote: sam will be at Nort0A, Ala. or thereabouts, until this extenS : sion is completed--some time in Sep tember or October. Then his head ) quarters will be transferred to Mobile; and, as 1t will cost him nothing to ride he can visit you frequently" He thought: But he wants to sec : him every night and every day" He wrote: T haven't forgotten my promise to you
 He thought: Hen want to know ? why didn't keep it, then" He wrote: But, as you had no Idea