Two or three days after the interview with Mr. Jones, the President's "friend" came over to the railroad building. He came in quietly and seated himself near the President, as a doctor enters a sick-room or a lawyer a prison cell. "I know you don't want me," he seemed to say, "but you need me."
When his victim had put down his pen, the politician asked, "Have you seen Buffalo Jones?"
The President said he had seen the gentleman.
"I think it would be a good scheme to give him what he wants," said the Honorable member of the State legislature.
But the President could not agree with his friend; and at the end of half an hour, the Honorable member went away not altogether satisfied. He did not relish the idea of the President trying to run the road without his assistance. One of the chief excuses for his presence on earth and in the State legislature was "to take care of the road." Now, he had gotten up early in order to see the President without being seen, and the President had waved him aside. "Well," he said, "I'll let Jones have the field to-day."
Two days later, when the President opened his desk, he found a brief note from his confidential assistant,—not the Honorable one, but an ordinary man who worked for the company for a stated salary. The note read:—
"If Buffalo Jones calls to-day please see him.—I am leaving town. G.O.M."
But Buffalo did not call.
Presently the General Manager came in, and when he was leaving the room he turned and asked, "Have you seen Jones?"