The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-07-10

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II AM NOT GOING TO COME TO BLOWS
WITH YOU"
the payrolls, and I'd break even with
at least one man over in the Timan-
yoni If l had TO use the whole Red
Butte Western to pry him looser
"Flemister again." queried the mas
ter mechanic. And then, in mild dep
recation: You are n bad loser. Hal
lock. But | suppose that is one Of
your limitations"
A silence settled down upon the up
per room, but Grldley made no move
to 60
The corridor door opened. and the
night dlspatcher's off trick man came
in with message for Hallock.
Engine 266, Williams engineer and
Blackmar fireman. with service car
naught-one. Bradford conductor. will
leave Copah at 1901 a. III. and run
special to Angels. BY order OF Howard
Lidgerwood. general superintendent"
Gridley's pivot chair righted itself
with snap. But he waited until the
off trick man was gone before he said:
''Lidgerwood! Well. by all the godsr"
Then. with n laugh that was more
than half snarl, There is chance
for you yet. Rankin
"Why. do you know himT'
mo, but / know something about
him. I've got line on New York. the
same as you have. and l get a hint
now and then. knew that Ldger-
wood had been considered for the
place, but I was given to understand
that he would refuse the job IL It
were offered TO him"
"Why should he refuse?" demanded
Hallock.
THAT is where my wire Taper fell
down. He couldn't tell"
Then why do you say there is still
n chance for me-"
"Oh. on general principles, I guess.
III II was an even break that he would
refuse 1t is still more likely that he
won't stay after he has seen what he
is up against, don't you Think
what he'll need In the Red desert
will be nerve and good gun. II he
has the nerve he can buy the gum"
said Hallock
But. having the gun. he couldn't
always be sure of buying the nerve,
eh? / guess you are right. Rankin.
VI course you will stay on with the
new man-if he wants you to?"
II don't know. This is my business
and none of yours"
1t was bid for the renewal of the
quarrel which was never more than
half yelled between these two. But
Gridley did not lift the challenge.
Let it go at that" he said placably.
But II you should decide TO stay I
want you to let up on Flemister."
I'D kill Flemister on sight IL I had
the sand; you know that, Gridley.
Some day it may come to that But I'm
the meantime"-
In the meantime you have been
swapping ut his heels like a fee dog.
Hallock. holding out ore cars on him.
delaying his coal supplies, stirring IN
trouble with his miners That was all
right up to yesterday, but now II has
got to stop"
NOT Tor any orders that you can
give" retorted the chief clerk, once
more opening the door for the quarrel.
II am not going TO come TO blows
with you, Rankin-not If I can help
1t" he said, with his hand on the door
knob. "But what l have said will
nave to 60 as 1t lies. Shoot Flemistcr
out OF hand. If you feel like it. but
quit hampering his business"
why" The single word shot ont
OF Hallock's loose Tipped mouth like
an explosive bullet.
Gridley opened the door and turned
upon the threshold.
i might borrow the word from Won
and say that Flemister's business and
mine are none of yours. But I won't
40 that. I'll merely say that Flemister
may need little Red Butte Western
nursing In the Ute valley irrigation
scheme he is promoting, and I want
you TO see that he gets It. You can't
iuord to fight me. Hallock. and Won
know IL. Sleep on IL few hours and
youIi see 1t in that way, I'm sure.
Good night"