The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1921-09-15

out Then -sit down. Graham:
want 10 talk a few Ines
Mr.. Norcross took his own chair snt
twiried II 20 face the general super
intendent. "say 1T be commanded
briefly.
Mr.. Van Britt hooked his thumb,
IN his armholes
I've just been figuring a BIT on the
general outlook: you have a decently
efficient operating outfit here. what
with Perkins and Brant and Conway
handling the three divisions as self
contained units. You don't need q
general superintendent any more than
a monkey needs two tails"
what are you driving atr' was
the curt demand.
We'll. suppose we say re.renchment,
for one thing. As I sire II up. you
might just as well be saving my salary.
II would buy a good many new cross
ties IN the course OF q year"
That's all bunk. and you know IL"
snapped the boss The organization
| - ~ thaAa7 Hhrh n cthktt nAtGh VI
dead wood in II. You know very well
that q railroad the sfze OF the Short
Line can't run without an individual
head Of the operating department"
Mr.. Van Britt laughed little at
that
IF you should get some one of these
new efficiency experts out here he
would probably tell you that you could
cut your star right In two In the
middle"
could see that the boss was get
ting mighty nearly impatient.
you are merely turning handsprines
around the edges OF the thing you have
come to say, Upton" he barked cut
Come TO the point. can't your What
have you got up your sleever"
Nothing that ! could make you
understand In a month Of Sundays.
I'm sore on my Job and I want to
QUIT"
Nonsense You don't mean tbatr
"Yes, I do. I'm tired OF wearing
the brass collar Of a soulless corpora-
tion. WHAT'S the use. anyway found
a bunch OF dividend checks from my
bank at home In the mail to-day, and
what good does the money do met
] can't spend II out here: can't even
tip the servants at the hotel without
everlastfngiy demoraiixing them. Tn
like the little boy who wanted to go
out In the garden and eat WORMS"
The boss was frowning thoughtfully.
You're not giving me a show, Up
ton." he protested. "Can't you blow
the froth OF and let me see what's
IN the bottom OF the steinT
~Pledge you my word. It's all froth.
Graham. want 10 climb up on the
mesa behind the shops and take
good deep breath OF free air and shake
my fist at your blamed old cow-track
OF railroad and tell II to go to the
devil. You shouldn't deny me a little
pleasure like that"
II was getting under the boss skin
al last. IL can't believe that you
really want to resign" he broke out,
sort Of hopelessly. "It's simply pre-
posterous !"
Pull II down out Of the future and
put II in the present, and you've got
IT," said Mr.. Van Britt ~ have re-
signed. wrote II out on a piece OF
paper and dropped II into your mall
box as came through the outer Office.
It's signed, sealed. and delivered. You'll
give me testimonial. or something OF
that sort. To Whom II May Concern
won't your I've been obedient and
faithful and honest and efficient, and
all that, haven't IT.
"rd like TO know where you got your
liquor. Upton. That is the most char
table construction I can pot upon all |
this. Why. man alivei you're quitting
me In the thick Of the toughest fight
the grafters have put upi-
Yes. know: but a mans got only |
one life to live. and I've always had
a sneaking sympathy for the high pri-
vate in the front rank who didn't want
to stand up and get himself shot full
of holes. I'm running. and II you
should ask me why. I'd tell you what
the retreating soldier told stonewan
he said he was running only
because he couldn't ny." Once more
he boss grew silently thoughtful. Out
u the digging mental inquiry he
,rought this:
Has this sudden notion Of yours
lnything TO do with sheila hacrae.
JptonT'
Pledge you my wsrd again. met
;heila on the street today and prom
sed her that wouldn't 50 much
Is zip my hat TO her while CollingwOod
: on this side Of the Missouri river"
But II you quit. you'll 90 east your
elf won't your"
Maybe. after a while. For the time
'elng. I'd like 20 loaf on you for a
veek or 50 and watch the wheels 20
round without my having 70 prod
hem. It's running 10 my mind that
bis newest phase - the c. ; a W.
usiness Is goiug 10 stir up q mighty
refty shlndy. and ] hnd foolish no.
I0n that ID Ike % slick around and
lak oB-as an fnnoafnf hgstHnder"