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110
BOB CHESTER'S GRIT

"If you had a pass, it won't be necessary for you to pay. I'll arrange that all right."

Randolph, the city in which Bob was marooned, being a division headquarters of the railway, there was a train despatcher's office in the station, and thither the agent led Bob.

Going over to one of the telegraphers, the station master explained the situation briefly.

"What do you want me to wire? Jenkins is the conductor, isn't he?"

"Yes. Say, 'Jenkins, Aboard No. 6: Leave'," and then he turned to the boy, asked his name, and continued: "'Bob Chester's pass with the ticket agent at Kansas City. Will send Bob on the next train. Robinson, "'Station Master, Randolph.'"

Scarcely had the operator forwarded the message than he suddenly leaned over his instrument, listened intently, and then exclaimed:

"I'll bet Jenkins will be glad to get your wire about the boy. Was there any trouble about the pass?" and he looked at Bob.

"Yes," responded the youth, and told them about the conductor's suspicions. "But why did you ask?"

"Because I caught a message going to Jenkins from Chicago."

"It said the pass was all right, didn't it?" queried Bob anxiously.