Show J i STUDENT LIFE arrived First he sent Fitzmaur-ic- e to the hospital then he called a meeting of the camp foremen The meeting was held in the commissary car of Camp Xo I the steel gang camp This camp was in charge of a young fellow by the name of Harward who was popularly known as “Mad House Harry” He had railroaded but a few years but had earned a right to the claim of “head foreman” on the job He of all the men on the job did not give up hope of obtaining the right of way over Silver Zone Pass At the meeting that night Henderson told his foremen the state of affairs and for the first time asked advice He turned to Harward first “Can we reach the pass before the other fellows?” was the question Every body was alert Finally “Mad blouse” spoke “Yes by the gods we can reach the pass if all of you are strikers not ‘quitters and if you are fighters we will eat our Xew Year’s dinner at home” That was enough Soon every man present expressed himself similarly As the meeting broke up Henderson whispered to Harward “It is up to you old man you are boss now The board of directors voted vesterdav to increase force and take the hill road under the conditions that you foremen agreed and were ready to lay down But you have’nt got enough yet so go to it and sucess” Henderson stuck out his hand Harward took it and replied “They thought we would m W 105 quit eh? By the time you sit down to your Xew Year’s feast back in civilization you’ll have a railroad over the pass Remember that All I wanted was a chance and now I have it Well I can take a defeat but I won’t quit” After the meeting in the commissary car that night the subforemen held a short “confiab” in their bunk car after they had “turned in” All realized the responsibility and preponderance of the task before them When they learned that Harward the youngest railroader on the job had been given sole authority some of the older men shook their heads but all expressed a willingness to “fight” The immediate question for consideration was the settlement of the trouble with the laborers Old man Mullins a lining foreman was giving his idea as to the proper settlement when a knock was heard on the car door Mullins got out of his bunk to unbolt thg door and found “Mad House” outside on the steps “All the fellows asleep yet?” asked the intruder “Naw they won’t sleep either with this job on their hands” responded Mullins “Well what I want is you Castello and Hill to come with me” Candles were lit and soon the three foremen were pulling on their clothes “Better take your guns with you” I ' ? j I t i said Harward as he finished lighting his pipe “You might need them as there is some missionary work to be done” i2 i I Si t j 1 I - i i I $ I I 5 i 4 ’ I i i t ! I ! |