Page:Ralph on the Railroad.djvu/571

Rh with angry eyes. "See here, young fellow, do you think it's square cutting in on a regular man this way?"

"I'll answer that," interposed Tim Forgan sharply. "He was here, you weren't. He holds the run till a better man comes along."

Evans stood glaring at Ralph for a few minutes. Then he moved to the youth's side.

"See here, kid," he observed, "I want this run specially. It'll be a regular, for Cooper is going with another road. I'm a man and must earn a man's wages. You're only a kid. I've got a family. Come, give me the run and I'll treat you handsomely," and the speaker extended a cigar.

"Thank you, I don't smoke," said Ralph. Then looking the man squarely in the eyes, he said: "Mr. Evans, I'll give up the run on one condition."

"What's that?" inquired Evans eagerly.

"If you will sign the pledge, work steadily, and give your wages to your family as you should do."

"I'll do it!" shouted Evans, not a whit shamefacedly.

"No, you won't," announced Forgan. "Fairbanks, kindness is kindness, but business is business. If you drop this run, it goes to the next extra on the list according to routine."