Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1921-06-16
thing about DurgIni Was he a mar.

ried man?"
Mr.. Van Britt shook his head.
HE had been married. but he and
his wife didn't live together. He, had
no relatives here. knew him Id the
southwest two years ago. He'd had
domestic trouble OF some kind, and
didn't mix or mIngle much with the
other men. But lie was a good dis
pntcller. and two months ago. when
we had an opening here, / sent for
him."
"you think there IL no doubt but
that he was brlbed to put those trains
together tonightT'
"None in the least-only wish We
had little better proof Of It"
"WlIere did he live3"
HE boarded at Mrs. Chambers, out
on Cross street. Morris boards there.
too, believe"
The boss turned to me.
"Jimmie. go and get Norris"
I carried the call and brought Nor
ris back with me. He was q cheerful.
red-headed fellow, and everybody liked
him.
ut isn't 'sweat-box' session. Nor
ris," said the boss, quietly. when we
came in and the relief operator sat
down. sort of tfalf scared. on the edge
Of chair. I'VE want to know some
thing more about Durgin. He roomed
at your place. didn't her
Morris admitted 1t, 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 money!"
pointing to the pile of bills on my
desk.
Billy Morris wrigglcd himself into
little better chair-hold. "Nothing
that would he worth telling. II things
hadn't turned out Just as they have"
he returned. "But now guess I know.
I left Mrs. Chambers this evening
about eleven o'clock to come ON duty.
and Durgin was Just ahead of me.
Some fellOw-n man In q snuff-colOred
overcoat and with soft hat pulled
down so that couldn't see his face
stopped Dursin 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 Durgin put whatever It
was into his pocket. Then the other
man lodged and went away, and did
1t so quick that I didn't see which
way he went or what became of him.
Durgln must have run after he left
the corner. for didn't see anything
more Of him until l got to the Office"
HE was there when you came in?''
It was Mr.. Norcross who wanted to
know. {.
Eyes. He had his coat of 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 little time.
and when the boss said. "Do you
think you would recognize the man
In the SNUFF colored overcoat, II you
should see him again?"
"Yes, might; IL he had on the
same coat. and hat"
''That will do. then. Keep this thing
to yourself. and II tile 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.
TITS hi. Graham!" 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 lot Of totally
innocent people to gain their endt
What are you going to do about it?'
Il don't know yet, Upton; but
am going to do something. This state
Of affairs can't 60 on. The simplest
thing. is for me to throw up the job
and let the Short Line drop back into
the old rut. I'm not sure that It
wouldn't save q good many lives in
the end If should do It. And yet IL
seems such cowardly thing to do,
to resign under fire."
Mr.. Van Britt had his hand on the
door-knob, and what lie said made
me warm to my finger.tips.
"We're all standing by you. Gra-
sam; all. you Understandable the last
man and tile last ditch. And you're
not going to pitch 1t up; you're go
ing to stay until you have thrown tho
harpoon into these high-binders., clear
up toethe hltchlngs. That's my pro-
phecy. The troubles over for tonight,
and you'd better go up to the hotel
and turn in. There Is another day
coming. Or II there isn't, It won't make
any difference to any Of Us. Good
night"
i----'---'-' '''''..' .'......---1
"Mrs. MeCras isnst : ~,;do~, n