“Really? You mean that I was your first passenger? That’s quite interesting, boys. I should feel honored, I’m sure. Then you haven’t been driving this—this vehicle long?”
“We just started to-day,” said Tom. “We haven’t had much luck yet, sir.”
“Well, it takes time to build up trade. Keep trying; that’s the way to win, boys. Sorry to deprive you of your half-dollar, but I guess that bill will do just as well to keep, won’t it?”
“Better,” laughed Tom. “Thank you very much, sir.”
Mr. Latham nodded, smiled, and crossed to the station. Spider, who had been impatiently walking about the platform, hurried across and climbed in. “Know who that was, fellows?” he demanded excitedly as Tom swung The Ark around toward town.
“No, who?” asked Willard.
“That’s H. R. Latham, the First Vice-President of the road.”
“Honest?”
“Sure thing! I’ve seen him two or three times. Funny Mr. Martin didn’t send his carriage for him, wasn’t it?”
“I sort of think he did,” said Tom softly. “I saw the Martin rig drive up just as we started away from the train.”