Argosy, Vol. 111, No. 1 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

20 ‘“Yes,’’ affirmed the father; “ the wrong idea. You see, son, an assistant trainmas- ter’s position is not precisely the bottom— nor is the position of, say, chief clerk to a division superintendent. ‘Probably men in either position would be quite frankly sur- prised if you were to suggest such a classi- fication to them—dquite as surprised as you would be if you were to know the many qualifications necessary to fill their places.”’ “IT don’t—” began Dexter, interrupting. “ Wait,” said his father. ‘I’m going to be perfectly candid with you. According to my outline of the thing you’ll be fortu- nate to get to either place inside of a couple of years. You're young, and you can well afford to go a bit slow for a time in order to learn this railroading thoroughly. And that’s what I want you to do: learn it from A to Z, from cap to toe.” ‘Of course—” tried Dexter again, as his father paused for a minute. “Of course,” broke in the elder quickly, “you might start in a position you were not capable of filling—and get away with it, too, due to diplomatic covering up and ignoring of your mistakes, all on account ef the prestige given you by your father’s office. But that’s not the way I’m going to have you do; nor, for that matter, do | believe you’d want it that way—not after, you reflect a bit.” ‘““N-no,” mused Dexter. ‘‘ Certainly not.” ‘“ Good!” said Mitchell, Sr. ‘“ Then I’ll give you my outline. You'll start in at the bottom—the real bottom. Then, as you acquire experience and wisdom you'll move up—not too fast, but slowly enough to pick up full knowledge of the workings of each department. Youll have a full-sized program on your hands, and the higher you climb probably the less conceited you'll become. But, anyway, following this plan, when you do get to the top you'll know the whys and wherefores of things— or should. No man then should be able to put anything over on you easily; your knowledge should be intimate, your judg- ment ripened and sure. Does such a plan appeal to you?” Dexter was silent a moment. “T’ll follow it,” he finally said. doubtless is the best way.” “It THE ARGOSY. “ But it’s a bit disappointing—about the start?” pressed his father. ‘“'Y-yes,”” answered Dexter, “ I’ll confess it is. But I’m game to try it.” ‘““T know you’ve got the sand, Dex!” declared the other. ‘‘ And I’ve been count- ing on you.” Mitchell, Sr., straightened up in his chair. ‘“ And now about the start. It will be without pomp of any kind; you'll merely take your place like any other beginner. Moreover, if I were you I[’d not put on any side about your father’s position or about your prospects and all that. Understand?”’ “T do,” said Dex. “T thought you would, but I’m just mentioning it anyway. Mitchell is by no means an uncommon name ’”—old Sher- wood smiled slightly—“ and it might be a_ good plan to sort of keep from emphasizing your status with me. Of course if you are questioned I wouldn’t deny it, but if you can sort of keep the fact in the background I believe you'll profit. Employees at the best are wary of officials—not always with- out good cause, I’m sorry to say—and do not willingly lay bare their intimate thoughts and feelings. But if you can be one of them, without in any way being a spotter, you'll likely learn things and con- ditions that, when you get the power, you - can remedy for them. This business will stand a lot of that sort of thing.” ‘*T see,” said the son. ‘All right. The next thing, then, is the place for you to start. I’ve got one picked, if it suits you.” — ‘“ Where?”’ “In Agent Haskell’s office, out at Bell City, on the S. R. and O. There you'll learn the mysteries of the waybill, the ex- pense bill, and station accounts in general. You can pick away at the telegraph end, too. What do you say; will you go?” “T’m for it!” said Dexter. IT. Ir was in July that Dexter Mitchell went to work at Bell City station with Agent Sam Haskell; and it was near the end of the following January that Haskell suddenly broached the subject of a change to Dex. The agent had gone in to division GomiGcboo S (©