Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-11-14
Empire Builders !
BY FRANCIS LYNDE
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| Copyright 19os-By Franci Lrnde. Il
Copyright 1eos-By Francis Lynde.

BY FRANCIS LYNDI

absence. and from what the chief clerk
| could overhear. he was led to believe
| that the pseudo supervisor of track
| would be lett in charge of Plug Noun.
| tain affairs.
| II WAS or the day before Ford's de.
/ pafturc Tor Denver that a letter came
| from General Manager North. Ford
iread it with a scowl of disapproval and
| tossed it across the double desk to
| Frisbie.
"A polite invitation for me to stay
at home and to attend TO my bust
ness, he commented
Had yeH written him that YOU were
going away::" inquired Frisbie.
No; but evidently somebody else
| has
/, Frisbic read the letter again.
So thai I'll heads of departments
may be on duty when the president
imakes his annual inspection trip over
the lines. = ne quoted. sTs Mr.. Col
birth coming out this early in the
SUMMER"
No, of course not. He never comes
before August"
Then this is only a trumped m ex-
cnse to make you stay here?"
That's all Ford replied laconically
Mr.. Richard Frisbie got I'D and
walked twice the length OF the little
room hefor, he said:
This Denver gentleman is going to
knock your little scheme into cooked
hat. If he can, Stuart
I am very much afraid Well have
20 reckon 'lpon that. AS matter of
fact. I've been reckoning upon it, all
along
How much of a pull has he with
the New York money peopIe?'
y don't know that: wish / did. It
would simplify matters somewhat
Frisbie took another turn up and
down the room. with his head down
and his hands in his pockets.
Stuart. believe if were in your
place. I'd enlist Mr<North, If had to
make it an object for him he said,
at length.
Certainly. 7 mean to go to him
first said Ford. "That is his due.
Rnt | am coun ting upon opposition
rather than help. Wait a minute'-he
ierked the door open suddenly and
made sure shat the chief clerks chair
was unoccupied. "The worst of IT is
that ! don't trust North he went on.
He is srafter in small ways, and
he'd sell me out in minute if he felt
like it and could see anv, chance of
making capital for himself
Then don't 30 to him with YOUR
scheme" urged Frisbie "Jf you enlist
MIN. YOU won't be sure Of him; and if
you don't, you'll mere ly leave an
active opponent behind you instead of
a massive one
L guess you're right, Dick: but I'll
have to be governed by conditions as
find them. Aside from Norths in.
8uence with Mr.. Cotbrith. which is
considerable. I believe he can't do
much to help. But he can do ire
mendous lot to hinder. think I shall
try to choke him with butter, If
can"
notwithstanding the general man.
ayers letter. Ford took the train for
Denver the following morning. and the
chief clerk remarked that he checked
small steamer trunk in addition to
his hand baggage.
Going to be gone some time. MIR.
Ford?' he asked, when he brought the
night mail down for the superinten-
dent to look over.
Yes said Ford absently.
You'll let me know where to reach
you from line to time, SUPPOSE"
ventured Pcafeld.
Ford looked UP quickly
1T won't be necessary You can
handle the office work, as you have
heretofore, and Mr.. Frisbie will have
full clarra ont of d0orc
Penfield looked a little .crestfallen.
Am to take orders from Mr.. Fris-
bie?" he asked. as one determined tt,
know the worst.
Just the same as you would from
me- said the superintendent, swing