The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1906-08-01
CHATTER 1.

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 dis
reputable cob pipe between his teeth.
The business Of the day was done,
and the noise and hurry attending it's
doing had given way to sudden hush.
Other sounds than those that had filed
the ear since morning grew out 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 on the
corrugated tin roof overhead. No. Z,
due at $40. had just pulled out with
twenty minutes to make up between
Antioch and Harrison, the western
terminus Of the line. The o'clock
whistle had blown, and the men from
the car shops, dingy, one story build
ing that Joined the general offices on
the east, were 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. 7
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 were
busy repairing a wheezy switch engine
that had been incontinently backed in
70 q o{d nd ftn on ~ oirvt1f
Oakley was waiting the return Of
Clarence, the Office boy, whom he had
sent uptown to the postoff1ce. 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 long line of shabby day coaches
and battered freight cars on one of the
sidings. They were there to be rebuilt
or repaired. This meant new lease
of life to the shops, which had never
proved profitable.
Oakley had been with the Huckle-
berry two months. The first intimatlon
the Office force received that the new
man whom they had been expecting
for over 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 60
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 week
q 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, few extra men
even were taken on, and there was no
hint as yet of half time for the sum-
mer months.
He was a broad shouldered, long
2imbed, energetic young fellow. with
frank blue eyes that looked one square
ly In the face Men liked him because
he was straightforward, alert and able,
with an indefinite personal charm that
lifted him out of the ordinary. These
We're 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
~ NJ "
doing wonders.
He put down his pipe. which was
smoked out, and glanced at the clock.
"What's the matter with that boyT' he
muttered.
The matter was that Clarence had
concluded to take brief vacation.
After leaving the postoffice he skirted
. vacant lot and retired behind his ia.
theirs red barn, where he applied him
self diligently to cigarette.
When the cigarette was finished the
urchin bethought him of the purpose Of
his errand. This so worked upon his
fears that he bolted for the Office with
ali the speed of his short legs. As he
ran he promised himself emotionally
that 1.-THE boss was likely to skin"
him. But whatever his fears he dashed
into Oakley's presence painting and in
hot haste. Just two letters for you,
Mr.. Oakley" he gasped. THAT was all
there vast"
He went over to the superintendent
and handed him the letters. Oakley
observed him critically and with dry
smile. For an instant the boy hung
his head sheepishly. then his face
frightened.
TITS an awfully wet day; it's Just
soppingv'
Oakley waived this bit Of gratuitous
information.
Ibid you run all the way?"
yep. every STEP" with the impudent
mendacity that comes Of long practice.
ITS rather curious you didn't get
back sooner"
Clarence looked at the clock.
was gone long? 1t didn't seem
long to me-" lie added. with candor
be intended should disarm criticism.
"Only little over half an hour. Ciar.