The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-08-28

agent who liked Lois and who would
have been Glad FOR her 10 have liked
them. and nearly all had done things.
You zoe. our section right along here II
q tough piece of road. and all the en-
ployees who have been on II few years
and are not killed have stories 10 tell,
Now I--but Lois hates personal talk
that touches on brag, NO II doesn't mat
tor.
"But, m I was saying, pretty much
tho whole road liked Lois. and Lois,
she liked the whole road m o whole,
but wouldn't single out any one In par
ticular. And. ~ for Jim, she Acorned
him openly. and he knew II.
"Now, | didn't like Jim myself, 10 Of
course | couldn't feel the pity for him
that I would for anybody else. But
pahawl II be felt II he never showed
by any signs. lie just came and took
his scorn and joked and laughed and
made ua laugh and then came back for,
more acorn the very next time his en-.
ginc pulled IN, Now, ! ask candidly
what can you do with q fellow like
thati The others laughed AZ him. and
he laughed with them. Then after a
while some Of the more rough ones,
thInxing him soft aud good natured and
without backbone. went little too far,
and his white fingers closed together
like steel springs. aud more than one
Of them had TO lay on for repairs. But
Jim didn't seem 10 hold any grndges,
Ito laughed and talked to those who
treated him the worst until they had
10 laugh and talk back. and than the
ilrst anybody knew they we're all The
best OF friends.
"But the strangest part, Of course,
was about Lois. Jim never did SIN
gie brave thing no far az ! know. risk
his life IN saving train OF passengers
or anything like that. and he spent a
lot OF money In helping people In one
way and anothcr~a good deal moro
ihan hts sainry could possibly amount
10 and either OF thcAe things was
enough TO keep Lois scornful. She had
no use at all for man unless he was
brave and no iise for one who wasn't
absolutely honest, and OF course spend.
ing more than one earned would seem
10 have only one meaning.
However. Jim kept right on In bis
quiet, good natured way until he had
made the railroad men his friends, and
even Lois and began to look forward
to his spending an evening. things
went of 40 swinging aud pleasant.like,
"No. | don't know as he ever did
ask me In so many words for my con-
sent or even II he asked Lois. II all
came about as II twas made 10 be 30
minister and all. and II want until
after they were married and gone "a
his home that we found out be was
one Of the biggest owners OF the rail-
road, with more money than he could
throw away. That FIRST time be saw
Lois he was Just from college ant
gone into partnership with his father
and was taking an observation triI
over their road.
Ills father like ~ Seemed 10. ANY
way he's never said or looked wore
against II when I've been there. ant
he's Just as proud OF Lois as Jim him
self And Lois, why, up there th'
city Is Just full Of society queens. al
they call them, and Lois leads tht
whole lot--takes 10 II naturally, the,
say. Just like she's always took TO ev
crything. 30 up once year, ant
they aIl treat me like n king. and Jim
especially II he's got some big nabol
visiting. as he generally has. button
holes mo and tells that story about
but Lois hates personal talk tina
touches on brag, SO Il doesn't matter
You see, she might hear"
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