“If the young man would accept a position with us,” interrupted another gentleman, whom Rod knew to be a superintendent of the Express Company, “we should be only too happy to offer him one, that carries with it a handsome salary and the promise of speedy promotion.”
“No, indeed! You can’t have him!” exclaimed Mr. Hill. “A railroad company is said to be a soulless corporation, but it has at least soul enough to appreciate and desire to retain such services as this lad has shown himself capable of rendering. He has chosen to be a railroad man, and I don’t believe he is ready to switch off on any other line just yet. How is it, Blake? Have you had enough of railroading?”
“No, sir,” replied Rod, earnestly. “I certainly have not. I have only had enough of it to make me desirous of continuing in it, and if you think I could make a good enough fireman, I should be very glad to take Milt Sturgis’ place on number 10, and learn to run a locomotive engine under Mr. Stump.”
“A fireman!” exclaimed Mr. Hill, in surprise. “Is that the height of your ambition?”
“I think it is at present, sir,” replied Rod, modestly.
“But I thought you knew how to run an engine. It looked that way yesterday morning when you started off with the one belonging to the express special.”
“I thought I did too, sir; but by that very trial I found that I knew just nothing at all about it. I do want to learn though, and if you haven’t anyone else in view——”
“Of course you shall have the place if you want it,” interrupted Mr. Hill. “Stump has already applied for you, and you should have had it even if all the events of yesterday had not happened. I must tell you though, that Joe Miller wants to resign his conductorship of the through freight to accept a position on a private car belonging to a young millionaire oil prince, and I was thinking of offering you his place.”
“Thank you ever so much, sir; but if you don’t mind, I would rather run on number 10.”
“Very well,” replied the Superintendent, “you have earned the right to do as you think best. Now, as the track is again clear, we will all go back to the city in the wrecking train, which is ready to start.”