The president of the Waupaca and Nishna Railroad company went to see the mild-mannered president of the Vanderbilt system.
“What can I do for you?” Mr. Depew asked, letting the smile he uses on such occasions have full swing at the visitor.
“I dropped in to see you, Mr. Depew, to ask for an exchange of courtesies. I am the president of the Waupaca and Nishna Railroad company. I would like to have a pass over your road and will extend the same courtesy to yourself over my road.”
Depew looked thoughtful for a minute. Then he said:
“Where is your road?”
“Why, it’s out in Wisconsin.”
“Is it rated in Poor’s manual?”
“Oh, yes, indeed; we paid a nice dividend last year.”
“Strange. I never heard of your road. How long is it?”
“We are operating sixty-seven miles this year.”