Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-12-17
CHAPTER XXX.

How far do we go, and what do we
40 when we get there?" asked Frisbie
Of his chief, when the two buckboards
heaving and lurching over the rock
strewn talus al the foot of the
canyon cliff, had passed beyond sight
and sound of the headquarters camp.
at the mouth of Horse Greek.
I'm not guessing any more, said
Ford crustily. He was finding that
his temper deteriorated as the square
Of his distance from Alicia Adair in
creased. THE president said he
wanted to drive over this shortcut,
and he's doing it,"
"Humph!" growled Frisbie. eff he
wanted to rub salt into your bruises.
why didn't he take you in the cart
with him? And where do I come in?"
you are implicated with me; that
was his word
Another mile passed in discomfort
Ing plungings. The trail had become
all but impossible for the staggering
horses; yet the leading blackboard
held on doggedly. There were places
where both drivers had TO get out and
lead; bad bits where all save the
president descended to walk. But
through the worst as well as the
best, Mr.. Colbrith chung to his seat
like a man determined to ride. 1t was
we'll past noon when the two vehicles
reached the western portal of the
canyon, and the dottings of the Copah
mine workings came in sight on the
hillsides to the southwark. Ford's
driver had fallen a little behind in
the final half mile, and when the gap
was closed up, the president was
waiting.
well, Mr.. Ford he began, some.
what breathless but triumphant, "are
you fully satisfied"
Il have learned nothing that I did
not know before we began to build
the extension" was the non-commit-
tai rejoinder.
"Oh, you haven't? You reported that
canyon impracticable for a railroad.
and yet I have just driven through it
without once dismounting from this
blackboard. Moreover, we shall find
IN Copah tomorrow a %re-survey Of the
line showing its entire ~practicability,
Mr.. Ford-a report not made by your
engineers
Ford and Frisbie exchanged swift
glances of intelligence. The presence
Of the strange engineering party in
the canyon was sufficiently explained.
At first sight the presidents expedient
seemed childishly puerile to Ford.
Then suddenly in a fash Of revealment
he saw beyond the puerilities-beyond
the stubborn old man who, with all
his narrow self-will and obstinacy
was merely playing the game for
others.
I'VE can discuss these matters
later, il you WISH" he said placably.
Il think you will find our ground we'll
taken. Do you want to drive back as
We came? Or will you let me find
you an easier road to the mouth Of
Horse Creek?" tn
But Mr.. Colbrith was not to be
baked OF turned aside.
Mr.. Ford, I wish to be fair and i'm.
partial. desired to satisfy myself,
personally, that this route we have
driven over is practicable, and it was
also my desire that the investigation
should be conducted in your presence.
will admit now that you made a
mistake-a very costly mistake for
the company-in abandoning this
short cut"
Il admit nothing of the kind. The
difficulties remain as they were. quite
unchanged by our pleasure trip from
the end-of-track, Mr.. Colbrith. AS
Stunning that the re.suryey will report
that the north bank Of the river Is