Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-13
FriSbie read the letter again

Frisbie read the letter again.
so that all heads of departments
may be on duty when the president makes
his annual inspection trip over the
lines he quoted. rs Mr.. Colbrith
coming out this early in the summer
NO. of course not. He never comes
before August"
"Then this is only a trumped-up excuse
to make you stay here?"
That's ALL" Ford replied. laconically.
Mr.. Richard Frisbe got up ana walked
twice the length of the little room before
he said:
This Denver gentleman is going to
knock your little scheme into cooked
hat. if he can. Stuart"
I'm very much afraid We'll have TO
reckon upon that. AS a matter of fact,
I've been reckoning upon it all along
How much of pull has he with the
New York money people?''
II don't know that; | wish l did It
would simplify matters somewhat
Frisbe took another turn up and down
the room. with his head down and his
hands in his pockets.
Stuart. | believe. if I were in your
place. I'd enlist Mr.. North. if l had to
make it an object for him. he said, at
length.
Certainly. I mean to go to him first, -
said Ford. That is his due. But / am
counting upon opposition rather than
help. Wait minute'-he jerked the door
open suddenly and made sure that the
chief clerks chair was unoccupied. The
worst of it is that [ don't trust North. "
he went on. "He is CRATER in small
ways. and he'd sell me out in minute
if he felt like it and could see any chance
of making capital for himself"
Then don't go to him with your
scheme" urged F'risbie. IF you enlist
him you won't be sure of him. and if you
don't, you'll merely leave an active oppo-
nent behind you instead of d passive
one
II guess you're right. Dick. but I'll
have to be governed by conditions as
find them. Aside from North's influence
with Mr.. Colbrth, which is considerable
I believe. he can't do much TO help. But
he can do d tremendous lot to hinder. I
think I shall try to choke him with but
ter. if I cam
Notwithsta nding the general manager
letter. Ford took the train for Denver the
following morning, and the chief clerk re-
marked that he checked aismall steamer
trunk in addition to his hand baggage.
Going to be gone some time. Mr.
Ford?" he asked, when he Brought the
night mail down for the superintendent
to look over.
Yes said Ford. absently.
you'll let me know where to reach you
from time to time, 1 SUPPOSE" ventured
Pentield.
Ford looked up quickly.
1t won't be necessary. You can ham
die the office work as you have hereto
fore, and Mr.. Frisbie will have full
charge out of DOORS
Pentield looked a little crestfallen.
Am I to take orders from Mr..
Frisbie?' he asked, as one determined to
know the worst.
Just the same as you would from me. y
said the superintendent, swinging up to
the step of the moving car. And the
chief clerk went back to his Office busily
concocting another cipher message to the
general manager.
On the way down the canyon Ford was
saying TO himself that he was now fairly
committed to. the scheme over which he
had spent so many toilful days and sleep
less nights. and that he would have it
out with Mr.. North to fighting conclu-
sion before he slept.
But a freight wreck got in the way
while the down passenger train was
measuring the final third of the distance,
and it was long after office hours in the
Pacific Southwestern headquarters when
Ford reached Denver.
By consequence the crucial interview
with the general manager had to be
postponed. and the enthusiast was chatting
at his iIl-luck when he went to his hotel
-chating and saying hard words, for the
waiting had been long, and now that the