He made inquiries around about this man Douglas, and learned that he was a very peculiar man and possessed of a wonderful memory.
Jack lay around until he managed to see Douglas, and in his own way he made the old man's acquaintance, and finally invited the old gentleman to go to lunch with him. He encouraged Douglas to talk about the road, and as the old man was fond of talking he was pleased to have a listener, especially a man who appeared deeply interested in the history of the road, and Jack professed great interest and finally said:
"I believe I could write up a first-class article on this subject."
"Oh, I see, you are a newspaper man?"
"That is what I am."
"Well, if you will come to my house some evening I'd look over my diary, and I can furnish you some strange narratives. Why, you can make a great article out of it."
"I think I can," said Jack, "and indeed I have such an opinion of it that I am willing to pay you for your time."
"Pay me?"
"Yes."
"Well, now, I ain't looking for any pay."