The Washington times., 1905-04-02

Well, old Quanah behaved first rate,
after all,'' remarked Birch And you
did what We sent you to do, and did It
we'll"
I suppose I can have my vacation
now" said Sanford You know it was
broken into by that trip to the Terri
tory. I want to go out and see my
mother
Very well,'' said the general mana
ger. laughingly. but I should think
that your experiences in the Territory
were vacation enough. But go and see
your mother. by ali means.
SANFORD nnurnured his thanks and
started to leave the room. He had got
to the door when Birch stopped him.
HOh. by the way. Sanford he said.
You are to attend a meeting of the
directors this afternoon at o'clock.
They wish to hear your report Of the
work You have been DOING
Very well. sir replied Sanford.
! Promptly at 3 o'clock he presented
himself in the directors room at head
quarters. When he entered the Iuxu-
rious room the directors were seated
around long table.
-~O~HN~
he came to a stand before them. and
President Gordon, who was seated at
the head OF the table, rose from his
chair.
"Ah. Mr. Sanford. I am glad to renew
your acquaintance. he said. giving the
private secretary's hand a cordial grasp.
Gentlemen" he continued, turning to
the directors. II desire to introduce TO
you Superintendent Sanford, of the new
Apache division. with headquarters at
the town Of Quanah, which he will es-
taolish upon his return to the Indian
territory. In your presence I wish to
congratulate Mr.. Sanford on the re-
markabie record he has made for him
| seiI IN the mission he was sent to per-
iorm. But for his good judgment and
courage and his strict adherence to his
outy IN the face OF great persona, dan
| ger the company would probably have
! lost a very large sum Of money and
much valuable time
| His promotion Is In every sense d.
served, and I look to see our new
superintendent make quite as good a
record in his new work as he has here
fofore- II he does, I am sure that he
Will rise to the highest rank In the
railroad world
| Sanford stood dumb with astonishment.
He had not regarded his work In any
sense remarkable
| True. ii had at times been uncom-
Portable, to say the least, but he had
/ looked upon it as merely IN the line Of
| duty. Now he managed to stammer his
thanks and appreciation.
No sooner had he finished than John
1 ;ral L.
his hand. The old mans eyes were sus-
piciously moist as he blurted out in
! his gruf fashion:
/ I am proud of you, my boy. / hope
/ some day that you will take my place -
/ Under the general managers rough
exterior glowed a heart as tender as a
woman's. and none knew SO well as San
ford the great honor the old man had
done him.
And now" said the president. 1.-The
directors and myself would appreciate
| it very much If you would go at once TO
the Territory and push the work there
| Get the road through the country into
/ Texas as soon as you can. But first 1
want you to go home and see your
mother
i Sanford's bag was packed ready for
1 his vacation, and, after he had again
/ thanked the president, he went to the
union station.
There he found old 3o0 Superintendent
Jack Horne's private car, attached TO
No. 2, which was about to start West.
Horne was standing on the station plat
form.
We'll, you are the swiftest man on
this road said Horne, in his hearty
way. as Sanford approached. Here
Bin,'' he called to the conductor. '1et
me introduce you to the new superin-
tendent-"
How did you known" asked Sanford,
astonished, for he had only a few mo-
ments before heard the news himself.
why, 1t was reported by wire all
aIcng the line over the signature OF
the president himself, and the order
told why. too Ny boy, you are the
hero of the road
Wen talk about that later on" said
Sanford Can I ride over the line in
your carr"
mo, sir: ride in your own car. and
ri ride with you," said Horne.
Sanford looked at Horne and smiled
a. the Joke.
What are you driving at, Jack?'' h
, asked
Have I got TO show you your owl
t car? Well, come along"
s Next to Horne's car was attached
2 new car. No. n, just out OF the shops.
D There she is said Horne. 'ant
q she's a beauty. I declare I'm settins
Jealous of you already.
4 Sanford inspected his private car Wit
I a. pride and satisfaction that he ha'
, na.-ar known before
After a short holiday, he went to III
4 new work. One Of his first duties wa
: to establish the station OF Quanah. q
! the foot of the mountains IN the beau
q tiful valley, not far from the house. {
the old chief Then, he sent for Toi
d Blossom, the telegraph operator at Low
v renee. whom he installed as agent,
: Jennings, whose work as spy had col
:, tributed to Sanford's success, was mad
"A a brakeman on the construction trai
/ land soon became a conductor, an
v when the first train went through to
Paso. carrying the president and ii
r, general manager. he was in charge Of
IS The Apache division Of the c., Ell
Is and G. railroad man to prevent their d
d predations, and TO capture them aft
their raids. This position was occupi'
y by Frank Donan. as head OF the seer
n | service department Of the road, and