Evening star., 1914-01-11
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR JANUARY IL. 1914
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conducted into what appeared to be the private
reception of splendid suite.
Soon the inner door opened, and Carleton, well
groomed square jawed, and precise approached him.
you are Colonel Alonzo Hatch, l take it, he said,
holding out his hand I'm Mr.. Carleton"
VERY glad to have the honor, Sir, the Colonel
serted with great gallantry.
GAS wrote YOU, Colonel" Carleton said "we are the
board of directors of the Atlantic & Oriental Rail
way, and out here the coast to make our
final decision to what shall be the terminus of the
road"
a gathered much that" said the Colonel i'm
perturbably; "but for the life of Sir, can't why
there should be the slightest question that point.
Port Hatch, of course Sir She is the most beautiful
city in the world She has the most unrvaed port of
entry, with natural facilities that cannot be obtained
at any other harbor on the Pacific. She is
Excuse me, Colonel blandly interrupted Carleton,
4but think it best that you should explain its advan
tages the full board and particularly to our chairman,
Mr.. Thornton. Won't you please come inside?'
HE turned and bowed deferentialy as he opened
= door, and stood back the Colonel preceded him
into the room As he was being announced the Colonel
caught it all at glance. The afternoon sun filtered
through the big windows on as model directors room
could be obtained in hotel and round long and
polished table seated dozen men of that type
that he had always associated with financial power
cleancut, serious men, of whom had sharp eyes
that bored him through and appeared the defensive,
others that merely speculative and some with an
icy blankness masking cruelty of mind He passed
from to as he introduced and shook hands
with each, regardless of the attitude OF deens1veness
that all assumed.
1t was the chairman who put the cause OF the con-
ference succnctly before him, as if time too i'm
portant to be wasted courtesy, and the Colonel,
somewhat bewildered by all this haste, listened as
Thornton talked.
@Colonel Hatch he said after the Colonel had seated
himself "as YOU doubtless know, it is assured fact
that the A. & 0. wants to make terms tor its t1dewater
end there is in discussing that part OF It, We
have preliminary surveys Seattle that have been on file
for some years; but not certain that it would
not prove more profitable for us to make Port Hatch,
on account of its location to the mouth OF the
sound main terminus and extend the line to Seattle
merely as business getter'
The Colonel smiled and nodded with eation He
glowed with friendship for the at the head of the
table, whose face immobile as face could be,
and whose cose-cropped mustache did not conceal
mouth that unfeeling and firm as an Indians.
ave have felt out the cost of right of way to Seattle,
and know about what could do along that line. We
have no such along the line to Port Hatch,
and that would entail some additional expense
He paused a moment for this to sink in; but the
Colonel was not the to think of in connec-
ton with anything.
But Sir I'm right that you ever visited Port
Hatch there is no possible expense that would deter
YOU from running the road there he venured, feeling
the necessity of saying something.
ave have already visited your city,, dryy answered
Thornton @and have made all the necessary inquiries
as to the advantages of its location"
aThen of it's all decided" the Colonel almost
shouted Gentlemen, congratulate you all on your
excellence of judgment As have often said
"But we haven't finally decided interrupted the
chairman Of the board. @In fact, requested this
interview to what inducements Port Hatch would
make to name it as main terminal point"
The Colonels jaw dropped, and look of anxiety
crept over his face. He Strengthened himself little
more erect and settled his feet the floor 1t did not