Page:Frank Packard - On the Iron at Big Cloud.djvu/283

 acted like a boomerang, and you're pretty sore, Haggerty, aren't you?"

The openness and friendly tones of the super took hold of Haggerty, and he warmed toward the other.

"Well, yes, sir, I suppose I am," he admitted.

Hale nodded. "Now, I want you to see the other side of it, Haggerty—my side. No division of any railroad, or anything else for that matter, can do itself justice unless everyone connected with it is pulling together for it. I want every man out here with me, and first of all I want you. There is nothing destroys respect so much as ridicule. The division, much after the fashion that an epidemic of measles springs up amongst children, took it into their heads to dislike the successor of Mr. Carleton, no matter who he might be. Now, unfortunately, instead of having checked the spread, the germs are being fostered because, back of their fun with you, a description of contempt for me is constantly kept alive. So I want you to coöperate with me, Haggerty, and show them that, after all, whether I'm a holy terror or not, whether I'm a runt of a giant, no matter what, I'm entitled to a fair deal out here in the West. There, Haggerty, that's a pretty long sermon for me. I'm not much at preaching. Just turn what I've said over in your mind, that's all. I think I can safely offer you a cigar now. Will you have one?"

Haggerty accepted the cigar with a flustered mumble of thanks, and as he went forward to the other coach he chewed the end pensively.

"Well, how's the little fellow? Hope the ride