Bart Stirling's Road to Success; Or, The Young Express Agent

t go in t

can

orders; and you can'

oke in a definit

ch it rested, and put his pipe in his pocket, but his sh

y, "official of the compan

e being," retorte

e insolence from anyone with the big head. I reckon ten year'

st now, Mr. Wacker?" in

winced, for the point

od enough for me. And I don't take no call-down fr

if you're making any pretense of r

window across the tracks to the switch s

r the superannuated old cripple whose sole duty was to wave a f

ling a cheery tune, bent over the book in which

ss office of the B. & M., and at present

rooms. It stood in the center of a network of tracks close to the frei

d panorama spread out, and beyond that

ew every nook and corner of the place, and ne

thinking. He voted its people, its surroundings, and

nothing to complain of, although he

eal to go around, but Bart's father had a steady job, and Bart himself was an agreeable, willing boy,

B. & M. for eight years, and was counted a

een glad when he was impressed into service to relieve his father when laid u

fternoon, but it was also the third of July, and that date, like the twenty-fou

at the desk or helped in getting o

especial day, however, in addition to the regular freight, Fourth of July and general picnic and cel

nd boxed-up display of fireworks for Colonel Harrington, the village magnate, another for a local club

Wacker came strolling into the place, pipe in full blast, Bart had not hesitated to exercise his brief authority. A spark among that t

y. The man for whom "Lem" was good enough, was

ster with a satisfied smile and stro

go," he observed. "I expect it will be big hustle a

ays on time on such occasions. The whistle from the shops had ceased echoing, and,

p?" he inquired with

what you mean," replied Bart

g in a covetous way over the cozy office and the comfortable rail

?" retor

to suit my ideas. How's the company to know or care if yo

e too honest,"

press office at Corydon, we sampled everything that came in. Crate of bananas-we had many a lunch

or them?" inqui

and no quest

n on my father, if that is what you are getting at,"

backwoods post office," disgustedly

light limp and some pallor in his face, Mr. Stirling seemed in his prime.

er, "all the real hard work is done, the work that always worries me, with my poor eyesight. Com

silver dollar and some loose change. Bart looked pleased,

ard enough time, and I ought to pay you for the e

your half-pay, make tracks, enjoy yourself, and don't worry about a trifle of a dollar or two

y. Bart's heart was pretty full. He was alive with tenderness and love for this loy

m, made Bart remember that he was a boy, with all a boy's lively interest in the Four