The San Francisco call., 1910-02-19

bility" said the division SUI
perlntondent at Cisco when
Jack Graham presented himself for
duty.
I'm Il, sir" said Jack drawing
himself up The superintendent eyed
the young applicant keenly
1t was July and already the Califor-
mia summer heat beat Numerically
upon the mountains. Here, winding
tortuously up the steep incline to the
summit of the divide stretch miles of
railroad over the entire length Of which
are reared huge sheds to protect the
track in winter from snow. In sum
mer these great sheds are a source of
danger, for they become so thoroughly
dry under the scorching sun that
stray spark from a passing train may
start in them fire which will cost
thousands of dollars and perhaps even
human lives. SO the sheds have to be
carefully watched, and it was con-
corning this supervision that the su-
perintendent and Jack were now talk
ing.
Suppose you give me your idea of
what your duties would be If / should
put you on this job" the elder man
said
Jack walked to the window from
valley the opposite range OF peaks and
towering above them all, rugged, rock
capped Red mountain. Pointing to this
Jack answered.:
From the top of. that peak can be
: seen the entire range of mountains on
this side of the valley with all the
sheds along them. On the very sum
nit is a watch tower fitted with teles-
copes and field glasses. Here / and
another man would have to live and
hV a al ba n
miles of sheds. If we discover sign
of fire we are to report it through the
telephone to the telegraph operator
here at Cisco | think that is all. sir
Yes, that's about ALL" said the su-
perntendent dryly. but you'll find it's
quite enough. I'll give you a trial;
you may go up there and begin today,
and remember that your future with
the company depends upon your max
ing good at Red mountain" The su-
perintendent swung round in his chair
and finished the sentence over his
shoulder.
Jack had one more question: will
you tell me, sir, why the former watch
men left?"
Queen case" answered the busy
man Both the watchmen up there
took a fever; the older man went home
and the young fellow-Dave McLaugh-
lin, about your age-never recovered
his speech after the illness. You can
fire Dave after you learn the ropes,
and upon your recommendation, III
send you up another man, for / guess
you won't want to keep dumb boy
long" He dismissed the subject with
a nod that was final and Jack left the
Office to begin his job
The morning hours of the tramp up
the mountainside, through pines, tama-
racks and spruce, were glorious but by
noon Jack was pretty tired and after
he emerged from the forest he made
slow progress over the loose shale,
burning hot and deep red in color,
which capped the peak and gave the
mountain its name.
Around the next bend in the trail
Jack caught sight of his new home,
clinglng like a birds nest to rocky
ledge on the topmost crag Of the
mountain. Heavy rocks were piled
upon the low roof and Jack afterward
learned that these were to help keep
the roof in place during the mighty
gales which in winter, and occasionally
in summer tear over Red mountain.
Great iron cables also lashed the tiny
dwelling to the cliffs,
Inside the cabin was a kitchen, a
bunkroom for the boys, and running
across the entire front of the cabin
the observation room, commanding a
sweeping view of the opposite noun
tain range with it's zigzag line of
snowsheds
Here, on duty, Jack found Maclaugh-
lin. the boy watchman. who had so
strangely lost his speech From the
first moment when the two boys shook
hands Jack had a strong liking for
Dave, with his frank face and jolly
manner.
Aud every day after that Jack liked
his new companion better and more
dsliked firing" him, especially when
he began to learn how Dave despite
his bravery, dreaded making a fresh
start in the world I'm the face of his
). new handicap. SO one day Jack wrote
to the superintendent asking permis-
sion TO retain Dave and promising him