Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-06-17


HE had been married. but he and
his wife didn't live together He had
no relatives here. knew him Ia the
southwest I'VE years ago He'd had
domestic trouble Of some kind, and
didn't mix Of mingle much with the
other men Bnt lle was good dis
patcher. and two months ago, when
we had an opening here. sent fog
him"
"You think there Is no doubt but
that he was bribed Ia put those trains
together tonights''
None Ia the leastT4only / wish we
had a little better proof Of It.
Where did he Iiye7n
she boarded at Mrs. Chambers, out
on Cross street. Morris boards there,
too, / believe"
The boss turned to me.
"Jimmie, go and get Norris"
carried the call and brought Nor
rls back with me. He was cheerful,
red-headed fellow, and everybody liked
him.
ut isn't 'sweatbox' session, Nor
ris,p said the boss, quietly, when we
.came in and the relief operator sat
down. sort Of half scared, on the edge
Of chair. "We want to know some-
thing more about Durgin. He roomed
at your place, didn't her
Morris admitted It, but said he'd
never been very chummy with the dis
patcher; that Durgin wasn't chummy
with anybody. Then the boss went
straight to the point, as he usually
did.
you were present and saw all that
happened in the other room. Can you
tell us anything about that moneyY
pointing to the pile of bills on my
desk.
Billy Morris wriggled himself into
little better chair-hold. Nothing
that would be worth telling, II things
hadn't turned out just as they have"
he returned. "But now guess. l know.
left Mrs. Chambers this evening
about eleven o'clock to come on duty,
and Durgin was just ahead of me.
Some fellow-a man In a snuff-colored
overcoat and with soft hat pulled
down SO that l couldn't see his face
stopped Durgin on the sidewalk, and
they talked together.
II didn't hear what was said, but saw
the overcoated man pass something to
Durgin and saw Durgln put whatever It
was into his pocket. Then the other
man lodged and went away, and did
1t SO quick that didn't see which
way he went or what became OF him.
Durgin must have run after he left
the corner, for didn't see anything
more Of him until / got to the Office"
HE was there when you came int"
It was Mr.. Norcross who wanted to
know.
eyes. He had his coat off and was
at work on the train sheet. | don't
think Durgin left his chair, or said
anything to anybody until he jumped
up and began to walk the floor, taking
on and saying that he'd put Four and
Five together on the single track"
There was silence for a little time,
and when the boss said, "Do you
think you would recognize the man
in the snuff-colored oyercOat, If you
should see him again2"
ayes, l might; If he had on the
same coat and hat"
"That will do, then. Keep this thing
to yourself, and IL the newspaper peO-
pie come after you. send them to Mr..
Van Britt or to me-"
After Morris had gone, Mr.. Van Britt
shook his head sort Of savagely.
Its hi, Grahaml" he ripped out,
bouncing to his feet and beginning to
tramp up and down the room. ITO
think that these devils would take the
chance Of numbering a lot Of totally
people to gain their endl
What are you going to do about lt7'
Il don't know yet. Upton; but 1
I'm going to do something. This state
II affairs cant 60 on. The simplest
hing Is for me to throw up the job
Ind let the Short Line drop back into
he old rut. I'm not sure that 1t
wouldn't save good many lives in
he end II | should do 1t. And yet It
Ieems such cowardly thing to do
o resign under fire."
Mr.. Van Britt had bis hand on the
loor-knob. and what he said made
ne warm to my tinger-tips.
"We're all standing by you, Gra-
lam; all, you Understandable the last
nan and the last ditch. And you're
lot going to pitch 1t up; you're go
ng to stay until you have thrown the
arpoon into these high-blnders, clear
p to the hitchlngs. That's my pro-
hecy. The troubles over for tonight.
nd you'd better 60 up to the hotel
nd turn in. There is another day
oming, or II there ISN'T, 1t won't make
ny difference to any Of us. Good
light"