Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/1053

Rh "That's half the forty-five miles—go head."

"Between Kingston and Shelby junction water out over the bottoms and flood coming down the valley."

"What's on the schedule?"

"All schedules cancelled, not a wheel running except on instructions from this end."

"Give them," spoke the official sharply. "Tell the dispatcher to keep the line clear from end to end. Wire to the stations that a special is coming through, no stops."

"Yes, sir," assented the foreman in wonderment, and executed the order. The official stood by his side until he had completed the message. Then he said:

"Tell the dispatcher to get Clay City, and find out if the Midland Express over the Midland Central left on time."

"On time, sir, and their road is not much hampered," reported the foreman a few minutes later.

"All right," nodded the official briskly. "Now then, get out your best locomotive. Give her a shallow caboose, and get her ready as speedily as you can."

The foreman ran out into the roundhouse. The president took out his watch. To the infinite surprise of Ralph he called out: