The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-05
THE EVENING STORY
AIarsden,s Probation.
(By Alice Clarke.)

What is the work? ?" asked Marsden,
as he pocketed the letter. John Dufford
looked at him over his steel-bowed
spectacles.
when 1 was a lad" he said severely,
young men did not pick and choose.
They were glad to take what they could
get. You want to marry my daughter
and have come to me to ask for work to
you Letter to my superintendent and
you calmly ask the nature of the en-
ployment."
Il merely wanted to know what sort
of clothes to lay in,' Marsden explained
in confusion.
serviceable Clothes said the elder man,
reprovingly- IT would suggest that you
might leave your evening clothes at
home.''
Yes, SIR answered Marsden obedi-
emily, as he rose to go.
Now, it is clearly understood" Duff
ford said sharply, that you are not to
write or hold any communication with
my daughter for two years. That is
agreed TOP"
II promise"
And on my part promise that if, at
the end of two years, I find that my
superintendent gives good report of
your industry, 1 shall withdraw my OBJ
lection to your marriage"
He swung back to his desk, and Jim
pocketbook, left the office. There was
farewell visit to Marjorie, followed by
a visit to cheap outfitter's shop, and
when the night train pulled out for the
west Marsden was a passenger.
1t was long before sleep came to
him. 1t seemed unjust that John Duff
ford should insist upon a two-years'
apprenticeship, but If Jacob could
serve seven years and again seven for
Rachel he should be able to serve for
two.
The old man had no particular OBJ
lection to him save that he had in
herited his money. This being the
case the stipulation that he should not
her Sympathfes, seemed particularly
hard, but Dufford was a hard man, and
If Marsden wanted Marjorie for his
wife he could only bow to the dictum.
1t was four days before he landed
in the little Colorado town which was
the nearest railroad point to the mine.
and the next morning a six-hour ride
brought him to the desolate collection
of buildings grouped around the shaft
of the mine, which night and day
ground out more wealth for the com
pany of which Dufford was the head.
The superintendent was easily found,
and he glanced over the letter Mars
den presented.
"AlI right he said CURLY. Had
any experience firing?"
Gums or steam engfnes?" said
Marsden.
you know very WELL" was the
sharp response. "Can you fire an en-
gine?"
"I can." was the quiet answer,
Though 1 have had no experience at
the work. It's merely a matter of
shoveling coal, isn't it?
''Shoveling the coal right correct
ed the superintendent. Better take
your things over to the bunk house,
then go to the engineer and tell him
that you're Jim and that Casey is to
show you how to fire. What is it,
Peters9 ?"
He turned to attend to another man
who had entered; ana, Feeling himself
dismissed, Jim turned away
Inquiry developed the fact. that the
bunk house was the long, low shed
where the men slept and ate. The
in charge. of the place
showed him where to put his trunk
ut the side of a narrow cot and pres
emily, clad in a suit Of overalls Jim
strolled into the engine room and pre-
sented himself to the engineer
at am Jim" he said simply "Mr
Travers said that Casey was to show
me how to fire"
The engineer nodded over his shoul-
der.
.'Ten Casey he said, and went on
with his oiling.
Casey was more companionable. He
deftly ELECTED information as to JfIn's
place of Mailing and other facts, as he
made it apparent that Mr.. Travers was
right when he said that it was not
merely question of shoveling coal.
Coal cost much when 1t had to be
brought from the railroad by a horse
car system, the cars going down loaded
with ore and coming back with the coal
when 1t was needed. Every shovelful
had to be thrown Just where 1t was
needed to feed the fire evenly, and Jim's
proper twist of the shovel to land the
arms ached as he strove to learn the
coal in the desired spot.
It was two weeks before he could be
trusted on a trick alone, but at last
Casey pronounced himself satisfied with
Jim's ability and he reigned over the
stoke pit for eight hours a day.
1t was hard work for a man whose
exercise had been taken in a gymnas-
lurn, but Jim rapidly hardened to it and
in six months it had become second
habit.
He sent east for books on engineering,
and by a mistake a book on electrical
engines was sent him, instead of the
one for which he wrote. He sat down
to look it over before he sent it back, |
and to the original book he added 9TH |
ers.
He had been there little more than a |
year when he sought out Travers and |
laid a plan before him. Less than half
a mile UP the valley constant fall
broke over the high cliff and rolled into |
the valley, four hundred feet below. 1t |
was Jin's plan to use water power in |
stead of steam, and employ a trolley on |
the tramway. |
Travers smiled at first, but Jim work. |
ed out the plan for him, and the New |
York office approved. Jim was put in |
charge of the plant-and the company
raised Travers salary.
1t was well toward the close of the |
second year that Dufford came to visit |
The mine No one knew of his inten- |
ion until word was telegraphed from |
The station. The word WAS flashed |
about the camp that the old man had |
come but the first hint that ladies' ac-
,ompanied him came to Jim as he stood |
n the door Of the power house. The |