Mr. Ramsey explained the situation. “Now you can see why we would like to have some proof that Dawson was really a partner of Jed’s.”
“And that, as I said before,” answered the old gentleman, “is something which I can prove very easily. I have letters admitting the partnership and notes signed by the two of them.”
“Then I guess that settles it. Call Benson, Burton, and I’ll finish the job.”
“You’ll have to call pretty loud,” the old gentleman laughed; “he got on the train when I got off.”
“Well, it’s good riddance to bad rubbish. That ought to finish up the whole gang. I certainly will be glad to get that district clean.”
“I’ll be glad to produce that evidence any time you want it and I’ll see you again before I leave town. Glad to see that you have made good,” he added to Scott as he went out.
“Now,” said Mr. Ramsey when they were alone once more, “that makes almost a perfect score for you in this business, and I don’t see any reason why I should not recommend you for Dawson’s job on the strength of it.”
“It is very kind of you to say so and I am certainly glad that you think that way about it, but I would like to wait a little longer till I really learn something about the sheep industry, and moreover I am afraid that it would not be fair to some of the other fellows who have worked just as hard and know a lot more about it than I do. Less than two weeks is rather a short time in which to earn a promotion. If I was altogether a stranger here I would like to try it and feel sure that I could get away with it, but Baxter and some of these other fellows know just how little I know and they would feel that I had been put over them unjustly. It seems to me that Baxter would make a good man for the job. I would like to serve under him as a patrolman for a few months and then if there is a ranger’s job open anywhere I would be glad to take it and no one would have any kick coming.”
“Some sense in that,” Mr. Ramsey agreed. “Of course Baxter is the man who would be directly in line for the appointment if you had not done such especially good work on this deal, and he probably would feel it if you were jumped in ahead of him. If you feel as you say I will recommend Baxter for the ranger’s job and send in a report of exceptional ability and extraordinary service for you to the district office, with the recommendation that you be given a ranger’s appointment after three months’ apprenticeship as a patrolman here on this forest.”
“That is exactly what I would like best,” Scott said earnestly.