I wasn't daunted though,
and started to work.
"Order No. 34.
"To C&E, all trains:
"K. M. & O. RAILROAD (Eastern Division).
"DESPATCHER'S OFFICE, 'DS,' October 15, 18--
"Special east engine 444, will run from El Monte to Marsan having
right of track over all trains except No. 21, on the following
schedule:--
"Leave El Monte, 2:30 P. M."
Thus far I proceeded without any trouble, and then I stuck. Here was
where the figuring came in, along with the knowledge of the road, grades
and so forth, but I was sadly lacking in that respect. I studied and
figured and used up lots of gray matter, and even chewed up a pencil or
two. I finally finished the schedule and submitted it to Pat. He read it
carefully, knitted his brows for a moment, and then said, slowly:
"For a beginner that schedule is about the best I ever saw. It's a
hummer without a doubt. But to prevent the lives of the Congressional
Committee from being placed in jeopardy, I think I shall have to make
another." Then he laughed heartily, and continued,
"All joking aside, Bates, my boy, you did pretty well, but you have only
allowed seven minutes between Sumatra and Borneo, while the time card
shows the distance to be fourteen miles.
Pages:
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
350
351