Operator!" "Yes, Sir," replied the young man, turning and coming back.
"Wait for a message," directed Tom; then seated himself and wrote the following reply: "Ellsworth, General Manager.
"Have not interfered in any way with honest merchants of Paloma.

Men are at liberty to spend their money any way they choose.

I did give the men a talk about the foolishness of spending their wages in buying liquor or in gambling.

Result was that men banked about two thirds of the total pay roll with the bank people you sent on pay train yesterday at my request.

Also drove off a gambler who tried to erect two tents on railroad property in order to fleece the men more speedily.
"(Signed) READE, "Chief Engineer." "That will tell the general manager about the kind of merchants that I've been injuring," smiled Tom, first showing the sheet to Superintendent Hawkins and then handing it to the waiting messenger.
"I hope Ellsworth, will be satisfied," nodded Hawkins.