Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1921-09-29
How doc" Won
Promotion,
By HAROLD sINcLAIRE
20. ls2l. Western. Newspape Union

tuut SITUATION WIS becoming chronic,
Never brighter, brsker, more &c.
cOmmodatlng fellow than he, with
friends everywhere; but the railroad
company did not seem to want him.
and the young fellow began to wonder
II there was a black list, and why
he had become its victim. 4
The roundhouse foreman could have
explained the situation, but he
thought too much Of Doc to hurt his
feelings. The boys on the dog watch
could have enlightened him, but they
priced his company, and sincerely
hoped that things might take turn
for the better. "a
The truth of it was that Doc got
wild" every time he touched loco:
motive throttle. To him an engine was
a living thing, vital steam horse that
loved to show its PAGES; and never
was there more spirited driver than
Doc.
Once he had run No. "a. on the
wrong track where the depot Orders
came low, and knocked off the smoke
stack. Later he had dumped loco
motive and tender into the turntable
pit.
WAS never a second late, clipped
right along, and always claimed the
right Of way" explained Doc daunt-.
lessly. deeming the minor mishaps
mere trivial incidentals.
Doc believed he was still on the
extra" list, but never got call to
go on duty for whole month. u
"Tefl you, Ruth" he said to the fair
devoted girl who was the one star
Of hope and beauty in his armament,
Il believe I'll try some other trade In
some other town."
Ruth cried for time. That ended
Docs determination. He went back
to the r0undh0use grimly. 4
Then, nobody was working one long.
aforementioned February night,
1t had been a hard day for railway
service. Nothing was sent out from
Cr0ftOn, but at seven o'clock, on regu.
lar schedule. Doc walked into the dog
house with the business-like air Of I
man ready for work and expecting
It. 4
"What did you wade way down here
In the snow for?" inquired Foreman
BrOss
ooh, something may turn up" re-
torted Doc. with his usual optimism.
Something did turn up-the biggest
thing that had happened In the reck.
less. impetu0us life of Mr.. Doc New.
ton. It was the unexpected appear.
ance Of the president Of the road.
"Br0ss," spoke the official sharply.
Il must make the junction at Clay
City in time to stop the night express
on the Northern. Give me your best
locomotive, shallow caboose and u
hustler. and do 1t quick" K
s I'm your man." spoke up Doc
promptly, rising to his feet. 4
"You'll have to fire." announced Doc
laconically; taking his place at the
lever.
II did 1t once-I guess can qualify
this time" replied the official.
They ran the first ten miles In four
teen minutes, but struck a trestle a
foot under water, and blocked with
drifted wood. Then there was whip.
lash sway and the engine cleared q
bridge just as a break in dam car
ried its center pier away.
''We've made It" painted Doc, as
they rounded a-hill and came in sight
Of Clay City, to see the Night Ex-
press on the rival road steaming down
the rails a mile distant. They've
given her the right Of way he
shouted as they neared the interlock.
ing tower.
'.You must stop that train" cried
the railroad magnate.
I'm going to- said Doc grimly.
He halted squarely across tho
tracks. a barrier to the oncoming ex-
press.
The official jumped from l0l. ran to
the halted train, waved his hand tOl
Doc. and the dripping engineer knew
that he had won the day..
It was the talk Of the road next
morning. It was known that upon the1
Night Express was railroad king,
whom the president OF the Southern
had to intercept before he reached1
the city. A first interview with himl
blocked a ten million dollar deal with
a rival railroad. g9sfs
Two days later the president OF the
road walked into the doghouse. Doc
sat patiently awaiting work.
Newton called out the Official
advancing and extending his. hand.
there's a check tor a thousand doll
lars going through the mails for you|
from headquarters. You can go toll
work tomorrow on the regular list"
''What locomotive?" asked Doc.
Newton" replied the magnate. With
a grim smile, ''I wouldn't trust you
with the Oldest rattletrap on the rQad.
Altar that dash three nights since, big
as it was. L see that You would make
4 the slowest accom- 0datiop regular
limited. No. you start In at $500 u
year as q division Inspector
"Ruth." observed Doc to his fianceeI
an hour later. the president Of the
mod WON'T ksDst mo wifi, q loonn ntivk