“Did you see what became of my sister Bessie?”
“Oh, Bill! I say, Bill! Where are you?”
Many of the scenes were most affecting. Women would rush into each other’s arms, crying with joy to find that the lost ones were safe.
“I can tell you it’s a grand good thing that panic was stopped so quickly,” remarked one man to another, as he gazed admiringly at the hero of the occasion.
As Joe and his folks were leaving, a tall, well-dressed man stepped up to Joe and extended his hand.
“Let me congratulate you, Mr. Matson,” he said effusively. “That was a splendid thing you did to-night. I never saw anything finer.”
“I’m afraid you exaggerate it,” deprecated Joe.
“Not at all,” said the stranger. “By the way, Mr. Matson, it’s a coincidence that I came to town with the express purpose of seeing you on a business matter. But I didn’t expect that my first meeting with you would be under such exciting circumstances.” 20
He took a card from his pocket and handed it to Joe.
“My name, as you see, is Westland,” he continued. “I’m stopping at the hotel, and I would be glad to see you there or at any place that may be convenient to you some time to-morrow.”