Morris tribune., 1906-05-05


naz&am~ hadn't been railroading
a month, and | was up with my con-
ductor on the carpet, sweating from
sheer grogginess and excitement. The
Job of front end brakeman on a noun
tain division is no great stake for a
man ordinarily, but it was one for me
Just then. We knew when we went
into the superintendent Office that
somebody was to get fired. The only
question was, who, the train crew or
the operator? Our engine crew were
out of it. 1t was UP to the conductor
and to me- Had the operator displayed
I'D signals? The conductor said no;
said no. The operator said yes, but
he lied. We couldn't prove it. We
could only put our word against his,
and, what made it the worse for me.
my conductor was something of a liar
himself.
/ stood beading in cold sweat, for
I could see with half an eye it
was going against us. The superin-
tendent, an up and up railroad man
every inch and all business, but sus-
picious. was leaning the operators way
the st-2r gest kind.
There wasn't another soul in the lit
tie room as the three of us stood be-
fore the superintendent desk except
a passenger conductor, who sat behind
me with his feet on the window ledge,
looking out into the yard.
"Lorr.sons record in this Office is
inf Sarr1O
Of the operator, who was doing US
smooth as smokeless powder. HE has
never to my knowledge lied in an in
yestigation: but, Allbers," continued
the superintendent speaking bluntly to
my conductor, you've never told
straight story about that Rat River
switch matter yet This man is
a new man." he added. throwing
hard look at me- Ordinarily I'd be in
clined to take the word of two men
against one, but I don't know one at
all and the other has done me once |
can't see anything for it but to take
Morrison's word and let you fellows
both out There wasn't any wreck, but
that's not your fault, not for min
ute"
i ''Mr Rocksby," protested, speaking
.. up to the division boss in a clean funk
the prospect of losing my job that
way, through lying operator, took the
heart clean out Of me-''you don't know
me. it is true. but pledge you my
word of honor
whats your word Of honor?" asked
q
hatchet. II don't know any more about
your word of honor than do about
you, Allbers,. take your man and get
your time"
A wave of helpless rage swept over
me, The only thing l could think Of
WAS strangling the. lying operator in
the hall Then somebody spoke
j: '-Show your papers, you fool"
1t came calm as sunshine and cold as
Northwestern from the passenger con-
dnctor behind me, from Dave Hawk,
and 1t pulled me into line like bugle
call. l felt my English all back at
once. Everybody heard him and looked
my way. Again it was up to me. This
time I was ready for the superintend-
IAAs VI, Lol LAoL hAe@IeSAS AOA IAAS OAOoAAA
ing Mountain division. | had forgot
ali about my papers till Dave Hawk
spoke. | put my hand, shaking, into
my inside vest pocket for a piece of
oiiskin-it was all had left. | was
good way from my base that year. |
laid the oilskin on the superintendent
table, unfolded it jealousy and took out
a medal and a letter, that in spite Of
the carefullest wrapping was creased
and sweated But the letter Wa from
nay captain and the bit Of bronze was
the cross. Rocksby picked up the let
ter and read it.
slave you been in the British
army he asked CURLY.
''Yes, SIR"
: He scowled a minute over PictOn's
scrawl. laid it down and gratified his
curiosity by picking up the medal. He
studied the face of the token, looked
curiously at the dingy red ribbon,
twirled it and saw the words on the
reverse, "For Valor," and looked again
mt me.
''Where'd you get this?'' he asked.
indicating the Victoria.
@sIn the Sudan, sir"
Dave Hawk kept right on looking out
the window Neither my conductor
nor the operator seemed to know just
what the row was Nobody spoke
4'What you doing here" Rocksby
Vnnt on.
II came out to learn the cattle bust
ness" His brows went up easy-like
They cleaned me out" Brows drop
ped gentle-like. "Then l went bad
with mountain fever" and he looked
decent at me.
You say you had your head out
the cupola and saw the white signal?"
ne asked, sort of puzzled
81 saw the white signal Rocksby
looked at the operator Morrison.
we'll adjourn this thing" said he
at last, "till / look into it little fur
Their. For the present go back to your
runs"