“No, it may not last, but it is in the railroad service, and may lead to your further employment.”
“Good,” commented Zeph. “What do they want me to do—engineer?”
“Scarcely, Zeph,” said Ralph, smiling. “I simply want you to take me back to the Ames farm and direct me about the locality.”
Zeph looked disappointed.
“Why, what’s that kind of work got to do with railroading?” he said.
“You shall know later.”
“All right. You’re too smart to make any mistakes and too friendly to do anything but good for me, so I’m your man.”
“Very well. First, then, tell me the location of the Ames farm.”
Zeph did this, and Ralph ascertained that it was about five miles west of Brocton.
Ralph secured some money, and in an hour he 45 and Zeph stepped aboard the cab of a locomotive attached to a load of empties due to run down the line in a few minutes.