Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1906-11-01
tCoNT1NUED.1

LIZ ivy idO 81 lIoSt N.lSOuiN IOl OF
nephews-nephews We're everywhere.
The purchasing agent was a nephew,
so were two of the division sup>rin-
tendents. Why. the president ever had
a third cousin of his wife's braking on
a way freight. We've kept him as a
sort of curiosity and because he was
the only n in the bunch who was
earning his pay"
mo wonder the stockholders went
to law" said Oakley, laughing.
"Of course when the road was tax
en- into court its affairs We're seen to
be in such rotten shape that a receiver
was appointed"
Oakley's business instinct asserted
itself. He had forgotten for the time
being that his services still belonged to
Cornish. Now he said, See here,
haven't you cars you intend to re-
build?"
"We've precious few that don't need
carpenter work or paint or upholster-
ing
"Then send them to me at Antioch.
I'll make you a price you can't get in
side of, I don't care where you go"
Curtice meditated, then be asked:
Glow are you fixed to handle a big
contract. It'll be mostly for paint and
upholstery or woodwork. We have been
considering equipping works of our
own, but l am afraid they are not 60
ing to materialize."
1--WE can handle anything" and, from
sheer force of habit, he was all enthu-
siasm. He had pleasant visions of the
shops running overtime and everybody
satisfied and happy. 1t made no differ
ence to him that he would not be there
to share in the general prosperity.
With the start he had given it, the fu-
ture of the Huckleberry would be as
sured. He decided he had better say
nothing to Curtice about South Amer
lea.
The upshot of this meeting was that
he stuck to Curtice with a genial de-
ivotion that made him wax in his hands,
They spent two days together inspect
Ing painless and tattered day coaches,
and on the third day Dan strolled from
his friends Office b%uttoning his coat on
a contract that would mean many thou
sands of dollars for Antioch. 1t was
altogether his most brilliant achieve
ment. He felt that there only remain
ed for him to turn the Huckleberry
over to Holloway and leave the coun-
try. He had done well by it.
Dan had been in Chicago about three
Eynnlc u-hnn OF loci IyD11o--D- &,--.
ed, and he proved as limp as Cornish
had said he would be in a crisis. he
was inclined to be critical. too, and
seemed astonished that Oakley had
been waiting in Chicago to see Linn.
He experienced a convenient lapse of
memory when the latter mentioned his
telegram.
II can't accept your resignation he
said, fussing nervously among the pa
pers Oh his desk. Il didn't put YOU
ut Antioch. That was General Cor
pish's own idea, and l don't know what
nell think"
ut has got past the point w. a.:e |
care what he thinks" retorted Dan
rurtly. you mus send some one else
there to take hold"
"Why didn't you cable him instead Of
writing me- fretfully. Il don't know
what he will want, only it's pretty GER
tain to be the very thing l shan't
think Of"
81 would have cabled him if l had
considered it necessary. but it never
occurred to me that my resignation
would not he agreed to on the spot. as
my presence in Antioch only widens
the breach and increases the difficulty
Of a settlement with the men"
"Whom did you leave in charger
inquired Holloway.
"Holt."
"Who's he?"
Hes Kerr's assistant" Dan ex-
claimed.
"Why didn't you leave Kerr in
CHARGE? demanded the vice president.
II laid him off," said Dan in a tone
Of evaporation, and hen he added, to
forestall more questions: HE was in
sympathy with the men, and he hadn't
the sense to keep it to himself. l
couldn't be bothered with him, so | got
rid of him
well, ! must say you have made q
frightful mess of the whole business,
Oakley, but ! told General Cornish
from the first that you hadn't the rain
Ing for the position"
Dan turned very red In the face at
this, but lie let it pass.
"lt's too bad murmured Holloway,
still lingering the letters on the desk.
"Since you are in doubt, why don't
you cable General Cornish for ins,ruc.
tiops, or, II there Is n reason why you
don't care 10, il Is not too late for me
to cable" SAD Dan,
This proposal did nor please Hollo.
way ut all, but be was unwilling 30 nd,
nit that he feared CorDIsh's displeas,
ure, which, where he was concerned,
usually took the form Of present VI