“Tom is only going to Grass Springs with me,” I ventured to suggest. “He shall not ride on the engine. Conductor, you will collect his fare,” replied Tommy, glancing at the gentlemanly person with the gold jewel. “Wolf, I haven’t a red cent in my trousers pocket; but I suppose I can walk to the Springs,” said my friend, who knew how vain it would be to appeal against the orders of the magnificent little president. I slipped half a dollar into his hand, and he jumped down. “Have you the money to pay your fare?” demanded the gentlemanly conductor, for he was ready enough to “spoony” to the president. “I have,” answered Tom, with dignity, as he stepped into the forward car. It was a gratuitous insult to me, and Lewis Holgate chuckled with delight. I bit my lips with vexation; but I said nothing--it was of no use to say anything. Even Major Toppleton himself would not have dared to dispute the fiat of his son. “All right!” cried the conductor; and I started the train, a minute behind time. I was vexed and unhappy. I felt like a free man reduced to slavery. I had lost Tommy’s favor, and I was nobody, though everybody else praised me. I felt that I had done my duty to the road, and to Middleport in general. I had worked hard at electioneering to keep Tommy in his position as president. I had supported him to the best of my ability; but he insulted me without remorse. I could not help thinking that it was stupid and servile in me to stand it; and I did not think I could endure another snubbing without resenting it. I felt weak and ashamed of myself, especially as Colonel Wimpleton was still anxious to have me go in the new steamer. I ran into Grass Springs on time, and Tom left the train, though not without saying a parting word to me. I wanted him to “fire” with me, and I had a plan in my mind to bring it about; but while the president of the road was bottling up his spite against me, I could hardly hope to gain my point. The steamer for Hitaca was advertised to leave Middleport at eleven o’clock, and at the appointed hour I had the passengers on the wharf. Within a few moments of the time, the boat was off, and those who were bound to Centreport made the passage in an hour and a quarter from Ucayga, which was three quarters of an hour less than they had ever accomplished it before. Major Toppleton was more delighted than ever, and, though it was against the rules of the road for any one to ride on the engine, he jumped upon the foot-board as lively as though he had been a boy. I ran up to the engine-house. “It works splendidly, Wolf!” said the great man, rubbing his hands. “It has come out right this time; but I think it is making rather close calculations,” I replied, as we walked out of the building. “What do you mean, Wolf?” he asked, anxiously, as though he feared there was still room for the great enterprise to fail, as indeed there was if Lewis Holgate continued on the engine with me.