The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-14

and OL0eTWiSc pio'ahb hihhoSii
GOOD soldier. But close behind him
came Gridley, always suave and good
natured, making no complaints, not
oven when the repair work made nee
essary by the innumerable wrecks
grew mountain high. and always coun.
selling firmness and more discipline.
"Don't give in an inch. Show these
muckers that you mean business. and
mean It all the time. and youn win
out all right" said he.
In the small headquarters staff Hal
lock was the only noncombatant.
From the beginning Of hostilities he
seemed to have made pact with him.
self not to let It be known by any act
or word of his that he was aware of
the suddenly precipitated conflict. The
routine duties of a chief clerks desk
are never light. Hallock's became so
exacting that he rarely left his office
or the pen-llke contrivance in which
he intrenched himself and did his
work.
When the fight began Lidgerwood
observed Hallock closely, trying to
discover II there were any secret signs
of the satisfaction which the revolt Of
the rank and file might be supposed
10 awaken I'm an unsuccessful candi-
date for the official headshlp of the
Red Butte Western. There were none.
McCloskey. being Of Scottish blood
and desert seasoned, was cool in
fighter who could take punishment
without wincing overmuch. But at
the end of the first fortnight of the
new time card he cornered his chief in
the private office and freed his mind.
ats no use. Mr.. Lidgerwood; we
can't make these reforms stick with
the outfit we've got" he asserted, in
sharp Encouragement "The next
thing on the docket will be a strike.
and you know what that will mean In
country where the whisky is bad
and nine men out of every ten go
fixed Cor trouble"
~ know. Nevertheless the reforms
have got to stick" returned Lidger-
wood deflnitively. 1--WE are going to
run this railroad as 1t should be run
or hang IL up in the air. Did you dis
charge that operator at Crow Canyon
the fellow who let train 76 get by
him without orders night before lastT'
''Dick Rufford? Oh. yes; I fired him.
and he came In on .202 today. Juggling
a piece of artillery and shooting Off
his mouth about what he was going
TO do to mound to you. suppose
you know that his brother Bart, the
Killer they call him. is the look
out ut Redlight Sammy's faro game
and the meanest devil this side Of the
TimanyonisT
al didn't know It, but that cuts no
figure" Lidgerwood forced himself
10 say IL, though his lips were curious
ly dry. 1--WE are going to have disci-
pline on this railroad while we stay
here. Mac; there are no two ways
about that"
McCloskey tilted his hat to the
bridge Of his nose. his characteristic
gesture of displeasure.
II promised myself that wouldn't
join the gun toters when I came out
here" he said, half musingly, "but
I've weakened on that. Yesterday
when I was calling Jeff Cummings
down for dropping that new shifting
engine out Of an open switch in broad
daylight he pulled on me out Of his
cab window. What i had TO take
while he had me hands up is more
than I'll take from any living man
again."
81 wouldn't get down to the desert
level if were you, Mac" said the
superintendent
I'm down there right now. in self
Defense" was tho sober rejoinder
"And IL you'll take hint from me
you'll heel yourself. too. Mr.. Lidger'
wood"
1t was an hour or two later in the
same day when McCloskey came into
the private office again, hat tilted to
nose and the gargoyle face porrayine
fresh soul agonies.
They've taken to pillaging now" he
burst out. "The $40, that new saddle
tank shifting engine. has disappeared
i saw Broderick using the 'o5, an6
when I asked him why he said ht
couldn't find the '16."
Couldn't find it~ echoed Lidger
wood.
''No. nor I can't either"
"Where was it at last accountsY'
standing on the coal track unde'
chute No. 3. where the night crew lef'
It at midnight OF thereabouts."
but certainly somebody must know
where it has gone." said Lidgerwood.
Yes. and. by grapples, I think
know who that somebody isw
"Who Is itr
IF should tell you you wouldn'
believe 1t, and. besides, / haven't go
tho proof. But I'm going TO get thu
proof" shaking a menacing forefnger
'and when / do
The interruption was the entrance
Of Hallock coming In with the pay
rolls for the superintendent approval
McCloslSey broke Off short and turne'
to the door.