The Cairo bulletin., 1913-01-28
CHAPTER |.

49,
Jim leaned back in his chair, pul
his feet in the midst of pile oil
blucprints on his desk, took ciGaI
from the top drawer at his right
hand ana then, for the FIRST time In
eleven weeks began to realize that LC
had absolutely nothing on hand to
distract his mind. This was not al
together new experience. hut II
came so seldom and so abruptly that
it always took his breath. Usually
Jimmie worked like a beaver night
and day until he wound up his case
and then lay around for several days
ard sometimes weeks. until he was
assigned to something else
AS special engineer and inyesti-
gator for big railroad Jimmie had
Just concluded one of the hottest in
vestigations of his career. Eleven
weeks ago he had left this same re-
yolviDg chair to answer a summons
from the vice president and general
manager. It seemed that someone
had been stealing coal. in carload
lots, out on one of the. western di-
visions of tie road and Jimmie was
given the work of rounding up the
situation. Before he got through
with = the case had involved several
minor officials of the road, who were
at th:s moment under arrest.
Jimmie looked at his watch Just
an hour ago he had been in the .hick
of tho final wind-up in the chiefs
office. Three men-big portly. stub
whiskcred officials. had been liter
ally eroveliing on the floor before
him, logging for mercy. Now 1t was
over with and he was absolutely his
own master for at least three weeks.
The door opened and the chief
himself walked in, Under ordinary
Jimmie would have
pulled himself together in hurry.
Now liz did not even take his feet
down. Tho chief stood quietly be-
side the desk aud the two men looked
at eath otner while Jimmie con-
liuued to run slowly and thought
fully n his cigar
Well" said the chief, finally,
ivan did it, didn't You
Jimmie nodded YEARLY.
what do YOU think Of those fell
lows?
That's Just ia Jimmie remon
strated .9stiF Il don't want 10
think OF it any mere, Mr.. stubbins
I'm sick of thinking of it. I've done
nothing but think of those poo,
devils, and especially of their women
folks and children. and I've been Sc
sorely tempted over and over that
my brain is weary with it.
Mir. Stubhlns regarded the young
man thoughtfully for a moment
Finally he nodded. All right, my
boy" he .ascented. Its ali over and
done with, and there's no use dis.
cussing it. can see that you are
tagged out and need a rest want
YOU to come with me to lunch
have an appointment in one hour,
SO we'll drop into the first place"
The FIRST place" was a dairy
lunch, a palace OF marble and mir
rors. After they had carried their
tray TO a quiet corner, and sat eating
in silence for time, Jimmie began
TO speak
what I should like" said he
would be to take a job digging with
a spade or-or something / could
use my mussel or without working
my brain
Mir. Stubbins laughed See that
dufer scrubbing away at the marble
work under the counter? Why not
try that for a whiri?"
Jimmie watched the fellow care
fully for moment while finishing
a huEch OF grapes. THE man is
Ioafiiug." he volunteered.
e
Yes" agreed stubbins, and
guess you'd be doing the same inside
OF two days II YOU had his Job.
Jimmie eyed the boss dreamily.
Tell you what" he finally drawlcd.
"Tll bet you I can get that mans
job fiom him and make good at it,"
For how long,"
Say three weeks"