Page:Cy Warman--The express messenger and other tales of the rail.djvu/138

126 The superintendent was inclined to be funny, but the Colonel, stroking his long gray Peffers, remarked that he had seen a locomotive standing at the point mentioned, and "as trains are not in the habit of meeting and passing between stations, I take it that there must be a siding there." There was just a twinkle of mirth in the Colonel's eyes, which, despite the finger marks left about them by the touch of time, are still bright with the sparkle of youth, but the superintendent was utterly unable to understand the general manager.

There was silence for a little while, but the general manager was by no means satisfied. He pressed the button, and when the black porter came in he asked: "Did you see an engine on a siding back a ways, George?"

"No, sah, I have n't saw no engine: d'ain't no sidin' 'cept Ci-ote spur, an' dat was clear."

"Send the conductor to me," said the official, and when the conductor came in the manager asked to look at the running orders.