o Paloma or elsewhere. A few of them
had gone. Some others had an uneasy feeling that they wouldn't like to
face the contempt in the eyes of the young chief engineer if he happened
to see them going away from camp.

"It's none of the business of that chap Reade," growled one of the
workmen.

"Of course it isn't," spoke up another. "He talked to us straight
yesterday, however, and showed us that it was our own business to keep
out of the tough places in Paloma. I've worked under these engineers
for years, and I never before knew one of them to care whether I had a
hundred dollars or an empty stomach. Boys, I tell you, Reade, has the
right stuff in him, if he is only a youngster. He knows the enemies he
has made over in Paloma, and he understands the risks be has been taking
in making such enemies. He proved to us that he can stand that sort of
thing and be our friend. Look at this thing, will you?"

With something of a look of wonder the speaker drew out the bankbook
that he had acquired the afternoon before.

"I've got forty dollars in bank," he continued, in something of a tone
of awe. "Forty friends of mine that I've put away to work and do good
things for me! If I don't touch this money for some years then I'll find
that this money has grown to be a lot more than forty dollars!"

"Or else you'll find that some bank clerk is up in Canada spending it,"
jeered a companion.

"I don't care what the clerk does. The bank will be still good for the
money. Joe, you read the papers as often as any come into camp."

"Yes."

"All right. The next time you find anything about a savings bank that
has failed and left the people in the lurch for their money, you show it
to me. Savings banks don't fail nowadays! No, Sir!"

Other men through the camp were taking sly peeps at their bankbooks,
as though they were half ashamed at having such possessions. Yet many
a hard toiler in camp felt a new sense of importance that morning. He
began to look upon himself as a part of the moneyed world as, indeed, he
was!

"Telegram for Mr. Reade," called one of the two camp operators, coming
forward.

Tom tore the envelope open, then stared at the following message:

"Reade, Chief Engineer.

"Have complaint from merchants of Paloma that you have effectually
stopped the men from spending any money in the town. Not our policy to
make enemies of the towns along our line. Explain immediately.

"(Signed) ELLSWORTH,

"General Manager."