The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-01-30


Owl Greek junction. Jim was sitting
at desk with his hat pulled down
over his eyes. He was at the lowest.
or. rather, the highest point Of desper,
alton. A train was due In ten minutes
from one of the branches of the rail
road, going eastward A man with a
red face. a stubble beard and one eye
stepped up to the ticket window and
said:
young felier. gimme ticket to An
telope. and be quick about It,"
Jim arose from his chair and stepped
to the window. He had laid a cooked
revolver beside it where 1t could not
be seen. He took down a ticket from
a rack, stamped it and. holding it in his
hand, said:
Three dollars and forty cents
please"
A glare came in the ticket pure he's
ers eye. and he put his hand to his hip
There was a report, but not from his
revolver. Jim had snatched his own
weapon. brought it to bear on the pur
chaser and fired.
When the train reached the station
the conductor stepped down on to the
platform and went into the station. \
mans body was lying on it's face below
the ticket window.
whats up?' he asked.
1--WE been sent out here" replied
Jim, ito sell tickets for money. That
man wanted to go to Antelope without
paying his fare. He can go free a.
baggage. | reckon. You'd better help
him on to the train"
The conductor looked wonderingly
at Jim for Il few moments. then said:
'By cracky. You're Il cool one. Do
you think you can keep this up?"
I'll keep it up till | get killed. and
I'd rather get killed than remain II
railroad employee, especially at Owl
Creek Junction"
The conductor succeeded in getting
Il brief account Of the affair from the
only living participant. then. not wish
ing to get behind time. called the man
in charge of the baggage car and with
his assistance carried the body on
board the train. Then there was a
whistle and the big snake crawled
AWAY over the plain.
Jim Perkins did not have to kill any
more men at Owl Creek junction sta.
ton. The news that the railroad COM
pany had sent ont an agent who meant
business circulated. and after that
would be passengers paid their fare
Jim since he had begun the work
would not give it up till he had proved
that be was master of the situation.
then wrote to the president of the
road that the population under the in
fiuence Of the railroad was beginning
to change and he thought that any
agent could collect for tickets there
He would like station in more set
tied locality.
A reply came notifying Jim that an
other man would relieve him and he
was to report at the general Offices Of
the company. When he reached the
terminal and showed his order to
man at desk he was sent up to the
office Of the president.
"H'mp said that officer. II believe
you are the man who collected fares at
Owl Creek junction"
81 am, SIR" replied Jim.
I'm sorry haven't another place
especially fitted for your peculiar abili-
ties. What kind of position would
you like?"
ANY you happen to have vacant
I've been railroading all my life.
don't know anything else"
The president tapped bell. An office
boy entered and was directed to call
the superintendent. When that gentle
man entered the president said to him.
"Mr. Bowers, this is James Perkins
recently station agent at Owl Creek
junction. Make him train dispatcher
and as soon as he learns the duties Of
that position give him the next job in
the scale. A man who could make
Owl Creek junction a paying station
must be good for almost anything. At
any rate. try him."
Before entering upon the duties of
his new Office Jim went to see his
sweetheart and told her Of the change
that had come over his fortunes. .Iim's
salary was quite sufficient to warrant
their marriage. and their engagement
was renewed. Jim passed through
number of grades and finally became
president OF the road. besides making
a fortune. Throughout all Of his ad.
ministration he was known as one de.
voted to the welfare Of the thousands
Of employees Of the road under his
management.