Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1911-11-23

flanSed on one side by HE ;rputj Shops,
rouudaouSe a0d coat r&ule> aUd on
the other hy Struggling town ot bare
and commcaplacc cNter.ocS. unpatutEa
unfenrci 'c>e,1>S ana rjN3SWrYt An
gels stood badly for Nhat it was-~a
mere stopping place in transit for the
Red Eutte Western
The new superintendent turacd his
back upon the depressing outlook and
laid his hand upon the latch Of the
door opening ;Gto the adjoining room
There was a thing to he said about the
reckless punching Of trains out of
reach of the wires, and il might as
we'll be said now MS later he deter
mined. But N the moment OF door
opening he was made to realize that a
tall, hoXlike coutrivance in one corner
of the office was desk and that it
was inhabited.
The man who rose up to greet him
was bearded, heavy Shouldered and
hollow eyed, and he was past middle
age. Green cardboard cones protecting
his shirt sleeves and shade of the
same material visoring the sunken
eyes were the only clcrlsly suggestions
about him.
You are Mr.. Hallock?" Lidgrrwood
made the guess without Offering to
shake hands, the high. boNlike desk
forhidding the attempt
Yes" The answer was neither an
tagonistic nor placatory; it was mere
ly colorless
''My name is LidCerwood You have
heard of my appointments"
Again the coorlcSS Yes"
'Mr. Ford spoke to me about You
last night. He told me that you had
been MIR. Cumberley'S chief clerk and
that since Cumberleys resignation you
have been acting superintendent of the
Red Butte Western. Do you want to
stay on as my lieutenant?"
For the long minute that Hallock
took before replying the loose Tipped
mouth under the shaggy mustache
seemed to have lost the power of
speech. But when the words finally
came they We're shorn of all euphe-
miSm
II suppose ought to put on my coat
and walk out" said this most singu-
lar of all railway subordinates. by
all the rules Of the game this job be-
longs to me, You'd better give me a
time check and let me go"
Lidgerwood walked to the window
and once more stared out upon the
dreary prospect. bounded by the bluffs
of the second mesa. When he turned
back to the man in the rifle pit desk
he could not have told why the words
of regret and dismissal which he had
made M his mind to say refused to
come. But they did refuse. and what
he said was not at all what he had in
tended to say.
"Mr. Hallock, appreciate your dis
appointment. l know what it means
to a man situated rs you are. Not
withstanding want you to stay with
me. I'll say more | shall take 1t as
a personal favor If you will stay"
"You'n be sorry for it If l do" was
the ungracious rejoinder.
Not because you will do anything
to make me sorry. ! am sure" said
the new superintendent in his evenest
tone. And then, as If the matter were
definitely settled I'D like to have
word with the trainmaster. Mr.. Nc
Closkey. May l trouble you to tell
me which is his Officer"
Hallock waved a hand toward the
door. which Lidgerwood had been
about to open few minutes earlier.
you'll find him in there" he said
briefly. adding, with his altogether re-
markable disregard for the official pro-
prieties: of he gives you the same
chance that I did don't take him up.
He is the one man in this outfit worth
more than the powder it would take
to blow him to the devil"