The Argosy, Vol. XI No. 20 — page 12: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

316 bered him even that much; ‘‘but I’m determined not to wait sixty days to go to work. = In fact, I can’t afford it.” “ What are you poing to do ?” “1 don’t know yet; that’s what I want to ask you about. I have already found out there is uo chance for temporary extra work with the commercial companies, and I don’t care to po with any other rail- road, even if there was an opening, which there is not.” “Why don’t you go west ?"’ suggested Mr, Tickmore. ‘ And grow up with the country,” laughed Dash. ‘Yes, if necessary. There’s more chance for a good operator on the railroads in the west.” ‘IT think I would goif I was sure of getting a situation,” decided Dash slowly, as he thought of St. Louis and the possibility of discov- ering his own father’s neme. ° But he disliked the idea of leaving home, and felt some hesitancy about striking out for the first time so far away from his relatives ; for, though he had found they were only connections by marriage, they were the only ones he had, and were near and dear to him. And besides, one cannot appreciate the feeling of uneasiness on being thrown out of a position for the first me until he has had the experience. Of course, he argued, he could again take his situation at the end of sixty days; but if he remained idle in the interim, his savings thus far would be almost entirely absorbed. He disliked the idea of seeing them melt away, as it were, and having to begin all over again. ‘ T think I can assure you of a position as soon as you would arrive in St. Louis, if you would care to go that far,” continued Mr, Tick- more, ‘Tt doesn't matter much what place I go to,” said Dash, thinking how odd it was the chief operator should name the very city he was thinking of, and had decided to visit some time in the future. ‘Then I'll give you a letter to my friend Hummon, who has charge of the telegraph on the largest system of railroads centering in St. Louis, in which is included the St. Louis & Pacific. It would be odd if he put you to work on the latter road, wouldn't it ?” ‘* Yes,” replied Dash, rememberine, that that was the road to which his stepfather was going as superintendent when he was killed. ‘* By the way, Mr. Tickmore,” he continued, ‘‘do you think I can get a pass as far as Fittsburg ? It will save me considerable if I can.” ‘*1T don't know, Dash; I couldn't give it to you under the circum- stances. You might ask the superintendent.” ‘*T will: and there’s no use losing any time about it,” responded Dash, as he prepared to leave. ‘‘ I'll call for that letter before I start.” He went to the superintendent’s office, which was up stairs in the relay station over the telegraph office. The official was one of those who are accessible at all times, and he greeted Dash pleasantly as he appeared before him. ‘* What can I do for you, Mr. Dykeman ?” he asked. ‘* I would Itke to get a pass to Pittsburg, sir,” replied Dash. ‘* And return ?” queried the superintendent, as he was about to direct the pass to be made out. Now Dash knew he would have no difficulty in getting a pass as an employee (for he was still considered in the service, though suspended) if he chose to conceal his intention of severing his connection with the company, but he frankly replied : ‘No, sir. I don't expect to return—at least not very soon; I am go- ing to leave the service, sir.” ‘*T am sorry to hear that, Mr. Dykeman, for I'm sure you would be a valuable man to us. I regret that unfortunate oversight in the order to Boyer, but I could not well discriminate between you and Mr. Clik- engerin fixing the penalty. Can you not wait till the expiration of your suspension 2? I may be able to do something a little better for you then.” ‘* Thank you,” responded Dash, gratified by the kind and commen- datory words, The prospect was a tempting one, but since the idea of going to St. Louis had been suggested to him he had fully decided to act upon it. ‘T can't afford to be idle two months,” he continued, ‘Sand I'm almost sure of a position in St. Louis." * Suit yourself, Dykeman,” concluded the superintendent, and it seemed to Dash that there was a ring of coldness in his tones, ‘I have done the best I could for you. As for the pass, it Is not consist- ent with our rules to grant one to an employee leaving our service.” Dash returned to Mr. Tickmore's office, the refusal to grant him the pass being somewhat softened by the superintendent’s eviaent appre- ciation of his abilities and service. THE ARGOSY He had saved about sixty dollars during the few months he had occu- pied the position of dispatcher’s operator, and to pay his fare all the way to St. Louis would take nearly thirty dollars of that sum. A pass to Pittsburg would have saved hiin nearly half that amount, and it was quite a disappointment to be refused it, though it did not weaken his determination to make the journey.” * Did you get it, Dash ?”’ asked Mr, Tickmore. ‘* No; he said it was inconsistent with the rules of the company to grant passes to employees leaving the service,” was the reply, a little ironically, ‘' [ hate to pay fare on this road, and besides, I may need all I've pot.” ‘What in the world did you tell him you were guing to leave for ? He would have given it to you if you hadn't.” .“*T wasn’t going to use any deception to get it," responded Dash, with dignity. ‘You just needn't to have said anything about it; that wouldn't have been deceiving him. I wouldn't have told him, and that’s the difference between you and me, Dykeman,” laughed the chief operator. ‘* It would have been deceiving him just the same,” insisted Dash, determined to stand by what he considered right. ‘You'll get over that when you've railroaded as long as I have. Here’s the letter to Hummon I promised you, and I wish I could help you on your way.” ‘Thank you, Mr. Tickmore,” replied Dash, with feeling, and he told himself he would not *' get over it’? if he railroaded a hundred years. ‘*[T can never repay you for all you’ve done for me.” ‘*That’s all right. my boy, don’t try; and I wish you success. When do you start ?” ‘* Just as soon as I can get ready.” ‘Don't fail to let me hear from you when you get settled in the wild and woolly west.” T shan’t,’’ replied Dash, as he started to leave. ‘* By the way, Dash,” interposed Tickmore, ‘‘ why don’t you try one of the conductors ? Maybe he will pass you to Pittsburg.” ‘Thanks; I will.” | Dash walked out on the platform, and the first man he met was con- ductor Freeman, with whom he was acquainted. At the latter was an operator, and more liable to accommodate him, Dash determined to ask him to pass him to Pittsburg. ‘Mr. Freeman, I want to go to Pittsburg,” he began. ‘* Well, why don’t you go? You’ve got lots of time,” interposed the conductor good humoredly. | ‘ T haven't got any pass.” ‘* Why don't you ask the old man for one ?” ‘¢T did, but he wouldn’t give it to me. I’m going to leave the com- pany.” " ‘¢ Oh, that’s it; and you want me to pass you,” said Freeman seri- ously. ‘‘ I'm sorry you're going to leave us, Mr. Dykeman, and more sorry to say ’'m afraid I couldn’t take you. They are getting very strict, and watching us like hawks. If it was known I passed you, after the old man refused to do so, it would be all up with me. [I’m afraid I couldn’t do it.” ‘*T don’t want you to lose your place,” responded Dash quickly. ‘The only thing I can do now is to pay my way, though I had hoped to be able to save that much.” ‘‘T wish I could help you, Mr, Dykeman,” began the conductor again, ‘* but——” ‘‘ Are you conductor Freeman ?” interrupted a boy about fourteen years old. ‘* Yes,” replied the official. ‘¢ My brother, Willis Dunker, who runs with you, has been taken suddenly sick, and can’t go out tonight,” announced the lad, with much concern, and in tones that showed he had been making haste to deliver his message. ‘* That's bad. What's the matter with him ?"” asked Freeman. ‘¢ The doctor says he's threatened with typhoid fever, and it will be some time before he can go to work again.” ‘T'm sorry to hear it; but tell him not to worry. T'll see he goes back on his run when he gets well, and will come to see him when | get a chance,” said the conductor kindly. ‘He was my flagman,” he explained, turning to Dash as the boy departed, ‘tand one of the smartest and nicest young fellows I ever had with me. I don’t know what I'll do fora man. There are no ex- tras around, and it’s only two hours till leaving time. If I was only at the other end of my run, I know a good man I could get.” ecomnicooaks (SO wf