The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1917-03-23

gineef ID question, looked at him with
approval. Some subtle recognition Of
the mans quality came into his mind.
Here was one who seemed distinctly
wortl while. one who stood out above
the ordinary applicant for jobs who
came In contact with Vandeventer. as
the Iag mesa rose above the foothill.
However. the chief kept these things
to himself as h stood looking and
waiting for the other man TO begin:
Are you he resident engineerT
asked the newcomer quietly, yet there
was d certain nervous note in his voice,
which the alert and Observant engineer
found himself wondering at, such a
strain a, might come when a man is
about to enter upon course of action,
to take a strange or perilous step, such
little shiver in his speech as naked
man might feel in his body before he
plunged into the icy waters of the
wintry sea.
Il am
II IKE loD.
1--WE have no use for cow-punchers
on this dam."
I'm not exactly cow-puncher, sir"
aWhat are your"
sLook here" said the man, smiling
a little, 'fI'ye been out in this country
long enough TO learn that all that ii is
necessary to know about man is will
he make goodY Let us say that am
nothing and let 1t go at that"
"Out of nothing, nothing comes"
laughed the engineer, genuinely
amused.
Some men would have been angry,
but Vandeventer rather enjoyed this.
'I didn't say I was good for moth
| Ing" answered the other man, smiling
III turn, though he was evidently seri-
Gus enough in his application.
| swell, what can you do? Are you an
engineer"
/ "We1l pass over the last question,
I too, If you please. | think | could
carry rod If had a chance and there
| was a vacancy"
sUmph," said Vandeventer, ''you
think you could?"
Ii "Yes, sir. Give me a trial."
| "All right, take that rcd over there
and 60 out on the edge Of the dam
| where that stake shows, and I'll take q
sight on it,"
Now there are two ways-a hundred
perhaps-of holding a rod; one right
/ way and all the others wrong. A new.
conner invariably grasps it tightly in
his fist and jams it down, cenceiyina
that the only way to get II plutab and
hold 1t steady. The experienced mar
strives to balance it erect on its own
base and holds it with the tips of his
fingers on either side in an upright 20
sition, swaying it very slightly back
ward and forward. He does it uncon
sciously, too.
Vandeventer had been standing by
level already set up when the new
conner arrived and the rod was lyins
on the ground beside 1t. The lattel
picked 1t up without word, walked
rapidly to the stake, loosened the tar
get, and balanced the rod upon thu
stake. As soon as Vandeventer OBJ
served that his new seeker after worl
m the rod In the right way, he dit
not trouble to take the sight. III
threw his head backward and raise'
his hand, beekoningly.
at so happens" he began, shat
can give you a job. The rodman mex
in line of promotion has been given tn
level. One of the men went East las
night. You can have the job, whicl
is"
II don't care anything about the de
tails" said the man quickly and gladly
''It's the work want"
"Well you'll get what the rest do,
said Yandeventer. "Now, as you just
ly remarked, have found that it |
not polite out here to inquire too close
ly into mans antecedents and / hay
learned to respect local customs, bu
we must have some name by which t
identify you, make out your pay checl
and"
ITO be continued