“I think we will also give a more practical acknowledgment of the value of his service. The Government, I am sure, will be glad to give a reward of $1,000.00 to him. When you go back to Chicago, you will give him a letter from me which will also hold a check for that amount.”
You would think that both Strong and Walker were the ones who were receiving the money, they showed how glad they were.
Strong could not complete his work until late in the afternoon. Walker and he boarded a train which brought them into Chicago about three o’clock the next afternoon.
“This letter and the enclosure will be a great surprise to Ted, won’t it?” said Walker. “I certainly am glad of it; he surely deserves it.”
“That he does, and I am just as glad. Let me manage the business of letting him know about it.”
When they reached the office, Ted had already been there. He had left, saying that he would be back at two o’clock, when told that Strong would not arrive until the afternoon.
Promptly at two Ted showed up. Strong saw him as he opened the door and greeted him warmly.
“Hello, Ted; it’s good to see you. We certainly shall miss you when you go back to Wayland. But I guess you will be glad to be back, won’t you?”
“I certainly will. I am going by way of Big Gulch and shall stop off at the ranch for a day or so.”
“That’s a splendid idea, isn’t it?” commented Walker.