Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-08-16
CHAPTER |.

Y berry line. as the Buekhorn
~ and Antioch railroad was
commonly called by the public. which
1t betrayed in the matter of meals and
connections. He was lolling laZily over
his desk with a copy of the local pa
per before him and the stem of Il dis
reputable cob pipe between his teeth.
The business of the day was done.
and the noise and hurry attending its
doing had given way to Il sudden hush.
Other sounds than those that had filled
the ear since morning grew Il OF the
stiffness. Big drops of rain driven by
the wind splashed softly against the
implanted pine door which led into the
yards or fell with a gay patter Oh the
corrugated tin roof overhead. No. 9.
due at $40, had just pulled out with
twenty minutes to make up between
terminus Of the line. The 6 o'clock
whistle had blown, and the men from
the car shops, a dingy. one story build
ing that joined the general offices on
the east. We're struggling off home.
Across the tracks at the ugly little de-
pot the ticket agent and telegraph op-
orator had locked up and hurried away
under one umbrella the moment No. I
was clear of the platform. From the
yards every one was gone but Milton
McClintock, the master mechanic, and
Dutch Pete. the yard boss. Protected
by dripping yellow oilskins. they We're
busy repairing a wheeZy switch engine
that had been incontinently backed in
to a siding and the caboose of a freight.
Oakley was waiting the return of
Clarence, the Office boy. whom he had
sent uptown to the p~ostofhce. Having
read the two columns of local and per-
sonal gossip arranged under the head
ing people You Know" he swept his
newspaper into the wastebasket and
pushed back his chair. The window
nearest his desk overlooked the yards
and a long line of shabby day coaches
and battered freight cars on II of the
sidings. They were there to be rebuilt
or repaired. This meant a new lease
of life to the shops, which had never
proved profitable.
Oakley had been with the Huckle-
berry two months. The first intimation
the Office force received that the new
mar whom they had been expecting
for over a week had arrived in Antioch
and was prepared to take hold was
when he walked into the Office and
quietly introduced himself to Kerr and
Holt. Former general managers had
arrived by special after much prelimi-
nary wiring. The manner of their go
ing had been less spectacular. They
one and all failed, and General Cor
nish cut short the days of their pride
and display.
Naturally the Office had been the
least bit skeptical concerning Oakley
and his capabilities, but within a week
a change was patent to every one con-
nected with the road. The trains be
gan to regard their schedules, and the
slackness and unthrift in the yards
gave place to an ordered prosperity.
Without any apparent effort he found
work for the shops, a few extra men
even We're taken on. and there was no
hint as vet of half time for the sum
mer months.
He was a broad shOuldered, long
1lmDed, energetic young fellow. with
frank blue eyes that looked one square
~ in the face. Men liked him because
ne was straightforward, alert and able,
with an indefinite personal charm that
Atffa1 him n,1t Of IN. rrI;,,n, Wv rEh1-a
were the qualities Cornish had recog-
nlzed when he put him in control of his
interests at Antioch, and Oakley, who
enjoyed hard work. had earned his sal
airy several times over and was really
doing wonders.
He put down his pipe, which was
smoked out, and glanced at the clock.
"Whats the matter with that boy" he
muttereQ.
The matter was that Clarence ha
concluded to take q brief vacation.
After leaving the postotfice he skirtel
a vacant lot and retired behind h:s "a
theirs red barn, where he applied him
self diligently to a cigarette.
When the cigarette wa; finished the
urchin bcthought him of the purpose CT
bis errand. This SO worked upon liz
fears that he bolted for the office with
all the speed Of his short lags. As h
ran he promised himself emotional!y
that the boss was likely to skin
him. But whatever his fears he dashed
into Oakley's presence painting and in
not haste. Just two letters for YOU,
Mr. Oakley" he gasped. That was all
there wasu.'
he went over to the superintendent
n handed him the letters. Oakley
observed him critically and with a dry
smile. For an instant the boy hung
his head sheepishly, her his fac,
Frightened.
ITS an awfully wet day; its jus,
bopping."
Oakley waived this bit of gratuitou,
Information.
did you run all the way"
"Yep, every step" with the lmpudcn,
mendacity that comes Of long practice
TITS rather curious YOU didn't GO,
back sooner"
Clarence looked ut the clock.
Wa ] gone long? 1t didn't seen
Eong to me" he added, with n cando,
no intended should disNrm criticism