Morris tribune., 1906-05-05


matter, though, focused one day up in
the old office in an unexpected way.
Haverly's own seat got so hot that,
bedeviIed by his fears of losing it and
afraid to discharge Dave, who now
sailed up and down the line reckless as
any pirate Of the Spanish main, he
covered, called Dave into the little
room at the Wickiup and asked him to
resign. In all the storm that ragged on
the division the old conductor alone
had remained calm. Every day 1t was
somebody's head off; every night a new
alarm. Dave alone ignored it all. He
was through it all the shining mark,
charmed life and survived every last
associate. Then Haverly asked him to
resign. Dave, bitter angry, faced him
with black words in his throat.
ats come to showdown" mutter-
ed the superintendent uneasily after a
minutes talking. ''Do you want to
resign?'
Dave eyed the mountains coldly.
"No."
'You will have to-
slave top Hawk whirled dark as
storm. Have to? Who says so?"
The superintendent shifted the paper
weight on the desk uncomfortably.
''Why should l resign?" demanded
the old conductor angrily. "Resignw
He rose from his chair. ''You know
I'm a thief You're a thief yourself.
You helped make me one. I've carried
more men for you than for anybody
else on the whole division. l don't re-
sign for anybody. Discharge me!
don't ask any odds of you"
Haverly met it sullenly, yet he didn't
dare do anything. He knew Dave
could ruin him any day he chose to
open his mouth. What he did not
know was that Dave Hawk was mold
ed in class of men different from his
own. Even dishonor was safe in the
hands Of Dave Hawk.
There was no change after\except
that darker, moodier, lonelier than ever,
Dave moved along on his runs, the last
of the old guard. Better railroad man
vision. Stress of wind or stress Of
weather. storm, food or blockade, Dave
Hawks trains came and went on time
or very close So he rode, grim old
privateer with his letters of marque
on the company's strong box, and Hav
erly trembled night and day till that
day came that fear had foretold to him.
A clap Of thunder struck the Wickiup,
and Haverly's head fell low, and Dave
Hawk sailed boldly on.
was extra passenger man when
John Stanley Bucks took the West End.
He came from south Of our country,
and we heard great things about the
new superintendent and about what
would happen as soon as he got into
the saddle. What few Of the old men
in the Wickiup were left looked at
Bucks just once and began to arrange
their temporal affairs. His appearance
bore out his reputation Only every
body. while pretty clear in his own
mind as to what he would do-that is,
as to what he would have to do-won-
dered what Dave would DO.
He and Bucks met. I couldn't for the
life of me help thinking when they
struck hands, this grzzled mountaineer
and this contained. strong soldierly ex-
ecutive who had come to command US,
of another meeting I once saw when
carried Crook out on special and
watched him at Bear Dance strike
hands with the last Of the big fighting
chiefs Of the mountain Sioux.
For three months Bucks sat his new
saddle without word or an act to
show what he was thinking; then there
came from the little room a general or
der that swept right and left from
trainmaster to wrecking boss. The last
one Of the old timers in the operating
department went except Dave Hawk.
The day the order was bulletined
Bucks sent for Dave; sent word by me
he wanted to see him.
Come on" said Dave to me when I
gave him the message.
''What do you want me for"
''Come on" he repeated, and, greatly
against my inclination, went up with
him. I looked for scene
Dave, you've been running here a
good while, haven't you?" Bucks began.
Long as anybody, guess" said
Dave CURLY.
'How many years?"
Nineteen"
There's been some pretty lively
shake-outs on the system lately" con-
tinued Bucks. The veteran conductor
looked at him coldly. II am trying to
shape things here for an entire new
DEAL"
Don't let me stand in your way"
returned Dave grimly
That's what l want to see you
about"
at needn't take long" blurted Dave
"Then I'll tell you what | want
II don't resign. You can discharge
me any minute"
II wouldn't ask any man to resign,
Dave, If | wanted to discharge him.
Don't make mistake like that sup
pose you will admit there's room for
in the running of this