The San Francisco call., 1908-12-06

ntlnl VIII De up, ana every IeeueI the
Pacific Southwestern system has will
be sending its quota of gold seekers
to the new field. That isn't what you
were going to say. 1 know; but 1t is
what is going to happen Mr.. Colbrith,
it's the chance of century for the
Pacific Southwestern company. and you
are deliberately trying to fire the one
man who can make the most of it,
The presidents lack of the sense OF
humor made it hard for him at times.
He was sitting very erect in the
straight backed hotel chair when he
said: Mr.. Ford, there are occasions
when. your conceit is insufferable. Do
you imagine for moment that you are
the only engineer in the United States
who can build railroads, sir?"
"Oh, no.
Then perhaps you will be good
enough to explain your meaning?"
1T was a poor attempt at a Jest,
said the young man, rather lamely.
Yet it had the truth behind it. in a
way / predict that this is the begin
ming of one of the biggest mining
within 40 miles of Copah with a prac-
ticable railroad: I'VE are within u
miles with track which must be made
practicable while the band plays. If
you discharge your entire engineering
corps at this crisis"
'T beg your pardon" interrupted the
president crustily. 81 have not asked
your force to resign"
Not meaning to, perhaps countered
the young man, maliciously rejoicing in
the hope that he had found one vulner-
able link in the presidents coat of mall
But If l go the entire department will
go. Every man in it is my friend, as
we'll as my subordinate; and they know
very well that if they shouldn't go,
r1rrf
in his own men,"
"Ha.' said the president. straighten-
ing up again. Am to understand that
you are threatening me, Mr.. Ford?'
NO. indeed; 1 am only stating fact.
But 1T is pretty serious fact. Let US
suppose, for the sake of the argument,
that my. prediction comes true; that
within 36 or As hours Saints Rest is
packed with people trying to get to
Copah. Your new chief, If you shall
have found him, will hardly be in the
saddle. When he comes he will have to
reorganize the department, break in
new men, learn by hard knocks what l
have been learning in detail
Mr. Co1brith thrust out a thin lip of
obstinate determination.
'"And If he does, your hypothetical
rush will simply have TO wait Mr.. Ford.
We have the key to the Copah door.
Don't you fool YOURSELF" snapped
Ford, forgetting his role of the humble
one for the moment The Transconti-
mental is only 40 miles away at Jack s
canyon with a pretty decent stage road.
Long before you can get the extension
in shape to carry passengers, or even
freight, the other line will be known
from Maine to California as the Key
holder to this district!
That shot told. The president was
not yet convinced that the Copah boom
was real; but there was the chance that
IT might be-always the chance. And
to the overcautious the taking of
chances, however remote, is like the
handling of a snake-a thing to inspire
creeping horrors.
"If YOU could convince me. Mr. Ford
that your interest in that mine die
rot influence you in changing the route
t,f the extension" he began; but Ford
took him up sharply.
'I can't; and 1 can say no more than
] have said"
Mr. Colbrith got up and went TO the
window to look down upon the excited
throng in the street. 1t did look real.
Perhaps we might leave matters as
they are, pending a future investiga-
ton, Mr. Ford he said. turning back
to his victim, who was methodically
clipping the end from cigar.
NO" was the brittle rejoinder-
Again the president took time to look
down into the crowded street. His next
attack was from the rear
But I have understood that you dc
not wish to resign. Let US be magnan-
imous. Mr.. Ford, and agree TO hang this
matter up until-until this supposed
crisis is past
No." was the curt reply. Il have
changed my mind. 1 don't think 1 want
to work for you any longer. Mr.. Col
BIRTH"
Not II withdrew my-ah-objec-
tions?"
NO"
Silence again. The packed lobby OF
the hotel had overfiowed upon the
plank sidewalk and the din of the buy
ers and sellers rose like the noise of q
frantic street fight. Ford's half jest
ing remark about the possibility of the
microbe finding its way into the BLOOD
OF the president was not so pointless a:
the old mans retort sought to make il
appear 1t was the wheat pit which
had given Mr. Colbrith his first hall
million; and as he listened to the hoarst
cries. the thing which he hoped was
safely caution killed began to stil
within him. Suddenly he picked wore
or two out of the sidewalk clamor thai
made him turn swiftly upon the silenI
young man.
They are selling Little Alicia'-youl
stock-down therer' he gasped. Have
you-have you"
mo; / haven't put mine on the mar
ket. It's some of my partners. Grigs-
bys. stock. 1 suppose he couldn't stand
the push"
Once more the president listened
Only an ex-wrestler in the wheat pi
could have picked intelligence out Of
the Babel of puts and calls.
Its up to a hundred and fftyt' HI
exploded. What did you pay for youl
shares. Mr.. Ford?T
Twenty" said Ford coolly.
Good heavensi II hope you hold z
safe majority.
mo; we broke even, Grigsby and I
1 had so per cent"
The president groaned.
'T-Fll excuse you, Mr. Ford Get
down there at once and buy that othel
necessary sharer'
Ford shook his head with prede-
termined gloom. NO, Mr.. Colbrith. In
not buying any more mining stock
What 1 did buy seems to have cost ms
my job
But, my dear young man. This is g
Ia crisis. You are likely to lose con
troll of your property. Or. at least, II
is soaring to a point at which you viii